"Tile Coasters"

Well, it has been a stressful week preparing for Friday's class. I really wanted to make the tile coasters but I couldn't find them. I searched and searched for them at Lowes and Home Depot but both places were out, or no longer carried non glazed tiles. I was so bummed. So I came up with two candy projects instead. Then I was looking at all the projects and most of them were candy. I didn't know what to do. Then my friend Carrie called and told me that JoAnn's had some coasters but they were circles. At that point I didn't care, I just wanted to make them, so I decided to check it out and see what they were and I bought all they had. They were on clearance in the Christmas section 50% off. They only had eight 4 packs so they will only be making two of them.

Here is what they look like. It is a kit that came with glitter, die cut snowman and snowflakes, and a circle felt bottom. I wish they would have had more.
Stamps: French Script, Grapes (retired)
Ink: Olive, Black, and Purple Stazon
Accessories: Tile Coaster, Organdy Ribbon

"Busy Busy Busy"

I am busy this week finishing up my samples and getting everything prepped for my class on Friday. I have a lot of it done but there is still a lot to do.

I am also recovering from this weekend. Tony turned 40 on Sunday and I threw him a surprise party on Saturday night. We spent 7 hours putting up the Christmas lights outside Saturday and he was so exhausted. He took a shower and put on his comfy pants, grabbed a beer and said, "I am not moving from the couch for the rest of the weekend". I gave him about a half hour to rest and then told him that he "might" want to put on some real pants, since there "might" be people coming over, and they "might" be coming in 10 minutes. I didn't want him to answer the door in his comfy pants. LOL He didn't look to happy but he got over it and had a great time. There was about 20 people here. Most of his friends from work, some neighbors, and family. It was awesome. Friday was another surprise for him. His mom and sister flew in from MN and Idaho and were waiting at the restaurant when we got there. Tony just about had a heart attack. It was so fun.

So, right now I am trying to catch up on stamping stuff so I can get my class together and then get back to blogging. Have a great day and I will see you soon.

"Have you seen my mojo?"

I would like to apologize for being missing for like three weeks. I don't know what happened. I love to stamp but I just lost my mojo. It bugged me for the first three days that I didn't post anything but after that it didn't bother me as much. I don't know why. I have like 10 projects going on right now but I can't seem to finish anything to post. Part of the problem was that my girls were off track for November, so I had two of them home every day, which messed up my routine a little. I felt like I needed to be with them instead of stamping. I just couldn't find time and by the time they went to bed I was just to tired to take out all my stuff. But they are back in school and I have a class coming up soon so I need to get all my samples done. So I will be posting again starting next week. I promise! I have some fun projects that I am doing for my class that I can't wait to share with you. Some of them I have done before but they are still fun. I am doing a coaster calendar, pop top tins, tree ornament, RSVP Pen, nugget tin (which I already posted), stamped candle, candy jars, tile coasters, and wrapped candy. There might be more but I can't think of them right now off the top of my head. So I will be back in action next week.
Tony is turning 40 on Sunday so this weekend is booked for me. Celebrating his birthday and putting up Christmas lights.
Stamps: Denamidesign, SU Holiday Sampler (retired)
Paper: Real Red, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black, Real Red
Accessories: SU Markers, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Stickles, Giga and Mega Scallop Circle, SU Circle Punches, Silver Cord, Hand Held Hole Punch

"Belli Challenge # 43 Cord"

This weeks Belli Challenge is cord. Each week Chris gives us a challenge that uses things that we have lying around the house or a different technique. I love everything about this card except for the image. Which I guess is the most important part right? I wanted to use a different image but I couldn't find what I was looking for. Don't you hate that?


Stamps: Stamping Bella
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Ski Slope DP
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, Silver Cord, SU Markers,
Check out what the other ladies on the team came up with for the challenge.
Holly Brown
Shelly Koskinen
Chris Dickinson
Christi Thorsen
Lorie Ames
Courtney Fowler
Joan Ervin
Jennifer Greco

"Christmas Cheer"

I don't own any Amuse stamps but my blogging friend Nancy does. She sent me some stamped images along with a bunch of shimmer paper in a bunch of colors. Thanks Nancy! So for this card, I used one of the images and the silver and red shimmer paper. It is super thick paper too. I don't know who makes it. This was a fun card to make. I love the image.

I colored some of the image with SU markers and I used a Sakura Gelly Roll glitter pen for the liquid. I also used the glitter pen for te dots around the scallops.
Stamps: Amuse, Best Yet (Hostess)
Paper: Whisper White, Shimmer Silver and Shimmer Red
Ink: Black
Accessories: Giga and Mega Marvy Scallop Oval Punch, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, SU Markers, SU Red 5/8 Inch Grosgrain Ribbon

"I'm Stamping Again"

What the heck is wrong with me? I haven't stamped in FOREVER!!!! I am stamping tonight though. I promise I will start posting again tomorrow. I don't know what happened. I guess I just needed a break. I didn't feel like I needed one but I guess I did. My finger is getting better and better every day. (still can't straighten it out) but it it getting better. I just found out that my surgery cost 37 grand. That is insane!!! 37 grand for an staph infected paper cut? Holy crap! We were looking at some of my past surgeries and this one tops them all. My Corneal transplant and all three C-sections didn't cost this much. I should have been a doctor. LOL
Ok, I am going to go for now. I gotta do some stampin'.
Have a great day everyone!

"Class Nugget Tin"

I am getting ready for my December Christmas Parks and Rec class. I am supposed to teach a class on Friday but my finger is not allowing me to do so. It's getting better but it isn't good enough to prep for the class yet. I am going to do the Christmas one though. I can't wait for that one. It's going to be so fun. I am going to have Christmas music and cookies and cider. This is one of the projects that they will be doing. The wrap around piece is 1 1/2 x 9 incase you don't want to figure it out yourself. I got the nugget tins from Speciality Bottle. The prices aren't too bad. I bought 24 tins for $31 something with tax and shipping.
Stamps: Best Yet (Hostess)
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Ski Slope DP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories Hershey Nuggets, Giga and Mega Marvy Scallop Punches, Nugget Tin

"Belli Challenge # 42 Gift Tags"

I'm back from MN. It was a nice visit but way too short. It was also super cold while I was there. I was there 4 days and it snowed several times. I left on Sunday morning and we had to board the plane outside on the tarmac. It was 27 degrees,cold and windy. I guess I don't remember that weather anymore. Why do I want to move back again??? LOL No, just kidding. I want to go back. I miss my family. I got to hang out with my 4 1/2 year old nephew who I have only seen like 10 times. He was so fun. We did get in trouble a few times and my sister even gave me a time out. Auntie Rochelle was acting like a 4 year old.

This week's Belli Challenge is gift tags. Mine are kind of lame, sorry. I haven't stamped in over a week and I just had no good ideas. I still have two packs of Cool Caribbean cardstock left and I love these colors together. I just might do more Christmas stuff with this color combo. If you are looking for gift tag ideas, check out what the other ladies on the team came up with.
Chris Dickinson
Holly Brown
Shelly Koskinen
Joan Ervin
Debby McGivillary
Christi Thorsen
Courtney Fowler
Ceal Pritchett
Lori Ames
Sarah Anderson
Danita Hollander

"Still In The Great State Of Minnesota"

I am having a great time in MN with my family. The funeral was sad but everything else is great. I don't want to come home. I wish I could just stay here. Hopefully we will get that transfer soon and we can come home for good. I will be home Sunday afternoon. I am bummed that I can't make it to Archivers or the Mall of America on this trip. I did bring some stamping things but I haven't had a chance to do anything. Oh well. Thanks for hangin' with me and I will be back soon.

Rochelle

"3 x 3 Card Set And Box"

This is another card and box set that we made at my stamp club. I do not have the dimensions for the box though. I will try to get them and pass them along when I get home. Tomorrow I am going back to MN for a funeral. My grandma's sister passed away. She was 91. She had pancreatic cancer. I asked Tony if I could go back for the funeral so I could see my grandma. I was actually surprised that he said I could. My grandma doesn't really remember me anymore which sucks cause we used to be real close. My visit isn't going to be long but that's ok. I fly in Thursday at noon and my flight home leaves MLPS at 8am Sunday morning. I get back to Sacramento at noon. However, Tony said that he will pick me up after the Vikings game around 1:30. They are playing the Packers. Can't tear him away from that game to pick me up. Typical football fan ha?

Stamps: Say It With Scallops, Pocket Silhouettes,
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Hawaii Papaya DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: SU Scallop Square Punch, Chocolate 5/8 Inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Tangerine Tango Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window, Copper Brads, Dimensionals

"Birthday Card Set"

Last night I made this set of birthday cards. I love love love the ski slope paper. The colors are so pretty. I have made lots of cards with this layout before. It is easy and looks good. I used to make two of each card but Kristine got the idea in my head to make several cards in different colors and layouts. What a great idea. Thanks Kristine for showing me the light. LOL. I am making six more cards for this set folded a different direction.

Here are the other three in this layout. I got a bunch of clear card boxes from Papertrey to put them in. They are perfect for giving them away. You get 10 boxes for $6 and depending on the thickness of the card, the box will hold 12 cards plus envelopes. You might have to rotate the cards to fit them in though, which is fine.

Stamps: Happy Everything, Eastern Blooms
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DP, Whisper White
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, SU Scallop Circle, SU Circle Punches, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Dimensionals

"Upsy Daisy Boxed Card Set"

We made this boxed card set yesterday at stamp club. Isn't it gorgeous? The box holds all six cards with envelopes. I am going to do more like this for teacher gifts. I love the colors of this set.
*Four of these cards are from Andrea Walford's Card Class By E-mail*

Here is a close up of the cards.
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Urban Garden
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, Silver Brads, Mat Pack, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Urban Garden DP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Silver Brads, Mat Pack, Baja Breeze Striped Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Circle Punch

To make this box you will need 2 pieces of cardstock 7 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches. Score around three sides at 1 1/2 on both pieces. Cut flaps and put together to make a box. For the lid, cut cardstock 6 7/8 inches by 3 7/8 inches and scored 1 1/8 inches from the outer edges all around.

"Saturday"

The girls had such a good time trick or treating last night. It rained practically the whole time but no one cared. Here are the pumpkins that the girls carved.

These are my two little ones. Sarah and Molly. Molly had a fever and only lasted up and down our street before she wanted to go home and go to bed. Poor girl. She seems to get the crud on all the holidays. She had fun though.

This is Katie (on the left) and her two friends from school. They went trick or treating with some friends and we met up with them later. Katie's shirt says "Good Witch" and her best friend Erika's shirt says "Bad Witch"

This is the group of neighbors that we went trick or treating with. It was a blast. I don't have anything crafty to post today. I am going to look at my new car today and possibly take it home. I don't know. Then I have stamp camp this afternoon. So if I will post what we made tomorrow.

"Looking For A Widget"

When Katie and I tried to make my blog a three column blog I lost a few things from my page. I am looking for the "Who's Linking Here" widget from Technorati. If you have it on your blog can you let me know so I find it from yours. Thanks. It is so bugging me. I have been to the site but I can't find the one I am looking for.
Thanks in advance.

Rochelle

"Molly's Creations"

I went to Molly's class yesterday for their Fall party. These are the things that Molly made. She was so excited to have mom in her class and to do some crafts. At their party, they frosted cookies, frosted and decorated cupcakes, and made these three treats. We borrowed two 6th graders to help out at the party and they also got to make the treats. They were so glad that they got picked to help. It was so fun. I over heard some of the kids say that it was the best day of their lives. How cute is that? The other first grade class had a Fall party too, only they had fruit and veggie trays. LOL I think our class had the better party.

Happy Halloween!

"Matchbook Spider Treats"

I just read yesterday's post. Talk about boring. LOL I guess I didn't have much to say. Sorry.

I made these for Sarah to pass out to her class. I like to make the same things for both girls but in different colors. Cut the cardstock 8 1/2 x 3. Sore at 5 inches and 1 inch. Decorate the front, attach the candy with a staple and close. How simple is that!! The fun size M&M's are a perfect fit for these. Here is the link to the other ones and directions and a picure of the inside.

This afternoon I am going to Molly's class to do some Halloween crafts with the kids. We are going to make Frankenstein wrapped Hershey bars, spider sammiches, and pumpkin sammiches. Only one other parent volunteered to help out today so that is why I am doing three projects. The teacher wanted 4 things. So the other parent is frosting cookies. I can't wait. Molly is pretty excited to have me come too. I already put the Hershey bar wrapper together and crimped the bottom so all they have to do is draw the mouth and scar, add the eyes and nose.

Stamps: Trick Or Treat
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories Scor-Pal, Giga and Mega Scallop Square, M&M's, Stapler

"Belli Challenge # 40 Thanksgiving"

This weeks challenge is Thanksgiving. I love thanksgiving. I love to cook the dinner and have family around. Since we don't have family here in Cali we invite the single guy at my husband's work over every year. I don't have any Happy Thanksgiving greetings so I printed my greeting out on the computer in the SU Really Rust color.


Stamps: Little Layers II
Paper: Really Rust, Old Olive, Confetti Cream
Ink: Really Rust, Old Olive

Check out what the other design team members did for this weeks challenge.
Chris Dickinson
Holly Brown
Danita Hollander
Shelly Koskinen
Jennifer Greco
Joan Ervin
Ceal Pritchett
Lori Ames
Sarah Anderson

"Tile Coaster Question"

I have a questions for you about tile coasters. I am going to do these for my upcoming Christmas class. I think I know what I'm doing but I want to make sure I am doing it right. I am going to use grape stamps, leaves, and the french script background stamp. I have stazon inks. I am going to stamp the french script background on first in black, then the leaves and grapes in green and purple. This is where I am stuck. I know that some people bake them in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes to heat set them, which we can't do at the class but they could do it at home. Some people also spray them which we can't do there either. So my question is, do the tiles have to be heat set or can you use them as is after stamping? If you have made them before, do you have any tips for me? If they have to be heat set, I am going to give them directions to do that along with felt feet to adhere to the back so they won't scratch the furniture, and I am also going to give them organdy ribbon to tie them up to give as gifts if they want. Each person is going to make 4 coasters.
Any information or links would be really helpful.

I went to the doctor today and he said my finger looks great. It is still very swollen and that is normal. I can bend it pretty good now but now I have to work on straightening it out. He asked if I wanted to go to hand therapy to speed up the process a little but when I asked him if I needed it he said, no it looks like I am doing a great job with it now. Woo Hoo!! I didn't want to go to therapy. So I go back in a month. Hopefully I will be able to straighten it by then. I am also hoping that the nerves come back soon. I can't hold a pencil the normal way cause it is too painful to the touch. My writing has improved though, I don't write like a 3 year old anymore. LOL

"Coral Butterfly"

I love black and Cameo Coral together, don't you? I also love how simple this card is. Sometimes I wish I could make those elaborate cards like some people with tons of layers and lots of different textures and embellishments, but that is not my style. I guess I prefer the simple.

My daughter tried to help me make a three column blog the other day and things got messed up. We got it figured out but it wasn't exactly what I wanted so we went back to the old one and I ended up loosing my banner and some of the stuff on the right. I have tried to get the banner back but it won't put it on for some reason. When I go to add it, it shows it to me as if it is there but when I save it, it's gone. I am going to have to figure it out.
Stamps: Flight Of The Butterfly
Paper: Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Cameo Coral, Basic Black
Accessories: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, SU Scallop Border Punch, White Gel Pen

"Flight Of The Butterfly"

I know I am going to love this set. I bought it because Sarah's teacher loves butterflies. Her class room is full of them. I already know that I am going to make her some cards and gifts through out the year, so I wanted to make sure I had something that she likes. I have only made a few cards so far with this set but I already know it is going to get a lot of use. By the way, a stamp-a-ma-jig is a must for this set, that's for sure.

This one I don't like as much as the first one. I think I got a little carried away with the background. I think it would look better in other colors. I also added stickles in the centers of the flowers and I don't care for that either. (on this card) It just doesn't match well.
Stamps: Flight Of The Butterfly
Paper: Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Stickles