"Pretty Bird"

I finally have a chance to post some cards. I have made a total of 60 cards in the three days of stamping that I have had. I brought a ton of stuff with me and I have used everything I brought. I have wanted this bird stamp for a long time and my friend Shelly in MN got it for me and gave it to me when I was at her house last week. I couldn't wait to use it. Of course I had to cuttlebug the background that is just a givin these days. lol I colored the birdie with bashful blue and his wing summer sun. I also added stickles to his wing to add just that little shimmer. I can't wait to make more cards with this little guy.
Stamps: Clear Bird
Paper: Bashful Blue, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Stickles, Blue Gingham Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Giga and Mega scallop Punch.

"Engagement Card"

I wanted to share this card before I went on vacation. My mom called me the other day and said that I am invited to my cousin's engagement party when we are in town. Then she told me that her mom also does stampin' up. I can't go to the party because we will be at the cabin for that weekend fishing, swimming, wake boarding, and just plain ol' relaxing. But I wanted to make her a card. Especially since her mom stamps. So I made her this card. I used sahara sand and whisper white. What a great combination. I also added a rose colored prima to give it that little splash of color. I stamped the paisley background in sahara sand. The scan makes it a little darker that it really is so try to picture that. I also sponged sahara sand around the edge of the greeting. For the lace looking bottom, I used a fiskers border punch. It just adds that little bit of elegance. See, as you may have noticed, I am not an elegant stamper. LOL So these cards are a challenge for me. But I love how it turned out and now I can say I made an elegant card.
Stamps: Paisley, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink: Sahara Sand
Accessories: Fiskers Border Punch, Primas, Jeweled Brad, Organdy Ribbon, Sponge

"Heartfelt Birthday"

I love this layout. It is from the sketch challenge 120. The Pattern paper is from the DCWV summer stack. The color combo is kinda a weird one too. Green Galore, Pixie Pink, and So Saffron. I used the silver cord to add a little something because I couldn't find my colored brads. I stamped off the flower images first then stamped full strength for the outline. The two wider back panels are 1 3/4 X 4 and the middle one is 1 1/4 X 4. The image panel is 3 1/4 X 4 1/2
Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Happy Everything
Paper: Green Galore, Pixie Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White and DP
Ink: So Saffron, Pixie Pink
accessories: Silver Cord, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

"Wild About Teal"

Isn't he cute!! I found this paper at Joann's and knew that I wanted to use the elephant. My friend Kristine sent me the prima's and they match perfect. Notice how I have a greeting. LOL I don't know who is going to get this card. It might be too cute to send. See I have a hoarding problem, like many of you I bet. I make all these cards and have every intention to send them but then I change my mind because I can't part with them. My friend suggested that I make two of each so I can keep one and send one. I think that might help.
Stamps: Wild About You
Paper: Taken With Teal, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Taken With Teal
Accessories: Primas, jeweled Brad

"Love Ya Bunches!"

I made this card for my nephew. He is 3 and my sister always calls him a monkey. I borrowed this set from my demo. I didn't know if I would like to get it so I am borrowing it to see. I think it is cute and I could make a lot of cards for my little "monkey" if I did get it, so we will see. I stamped the images but the white was so bright that it didn't quite look good so I sponged some close to cocoa on it and I like how it looks now. Those sponges really make a difference. Of course I had to use the cuttlebug embossing folders too. I so love these.
Stamps: Monkey Business
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun
Accessories: Word Window, Silver Brads, Sponges, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

"Espressing My Thanks"

I seem to give Starbucks gift cards more than any other type of gift cards. I got this Starbucks stamp a couple years ago. I use it when I give the gift cards, I like to make a matching card. I don't know why but I have never taken a picture of the cards I have made with it. This time I thought I would. The stamp is made by Viva Las Vegastamps. It isn't the actual Starbucks image. It is a slight oval and not a perfect circle. But it is close enough that no one would know. It is a solid stamp so I have to stamp it in the green and take my markers and color the black. I don't think I did this one right but you get the idea. I think I should have left some green in the middle. I also used the retired coffee set, Espress Yourself as well. I really like this set and wish it never retired. I NEVER use Garden Green either. This is the only time. I just don't like that color. LOL But it is the Starbucks color so I use it when I make these cards.
Stamps: Espress Yourself, Viva Las Vegastamps
Paper: Garden Green, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black Marker

"You're Neat"

I was trying to do the SCS sketch challenge 131 this week with this one. I don't know if it qualifies though. They had a square where my circle is. I punched the scallop circle and then punched some barley banana circles using a hand held punch. I glued the circles in the scallops. I like how it looks. The DP is from Joann's. I think it is Sandylion. I colored with the SU markers and found a jeweled brad for the center of the pinwheel.
Stamps: You're Neat
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Barley Banana, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, Jeweled Brad, SU Markers, Cuttlebug Emossing Folders, SU Grosgrain Ribbon, Hand Held Circle Punch

"Shop Till You Drop"

I got a new Bella. Emmybella. Isn't she cute? The paper is from the DCWV summer stack. I just love that paper. I colored her with markers and used the Gelly Roll glitter pen on the cuff of her pants and on the top of them. I really love that pen. I also used the SU white gel pen and made stripes on her shirt and dots on her bag. I tried to make a cute purse but it didn't turn out like I wanted but oh well. I got the primas from my friend Kristine and I used a jeweled brad for the center. Once again, no greeting. Seriously, I should stamp that first, then it will always be there.
Stamps" Stampingbella
Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Primas, Jeweled Brad, SU Gel Pen, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, SU Markers

"I got tagged twice"

I have been tagged again. This time by The Stamping Librarian, Nicole Cooke and Cheryl over at Engineered Expressions. 7 interesting things about me. So here we go.

1. I love adventure. I have been skydiving and I love it. I wouldn't go bungee jumping but I would bungee out of an airplane and then skydive to the ground. That sounds real fun to me.
2. I have 4 tattoos. Two of which are Siberian Tigers which are my favorite animal. I also have my ears pierced. (three in one and four in the other) I also have my nose pierced.
3. I am a photographer. I love to take pictures. Black and whites mostly. I have the equipment for a dark room but my house is too small to set it up. I took a couple classes at the local college and learned how to develop my own pictures. Super cool! I hope to someday own my own photography studio.
4. I was adopted. My birth mother and father weren't married. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters on my birth mothers side. I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters on my birth fathers side. I grew up with 2 sisters in my adopted family. Here is the weird part. I am the youngest of 8 on my fathers side, the youngest of 5 on my mothers side, and the oldest of 3 in the family that I grew up with. So technically, I have 7 brothers and 6 sisters.
5. I am very funny and sarcastic. I love everything funny. I love to laugh until I cry.
6. My favorite color is black. (I know kinda creepy ha?)
7. I love sports. Baseball mostly. I have always loved the NY Yankees ever since I can remember, but I am also a MN Twins fan. I am also a MN Vikings fan. I love to watch football. We had season tickets to the MN Vikings but had to sell them when we moved to CA.

So that is a little about me. I know, not very interesting, but now you know a little more about me.

"Birthday Cupcake"

This was a fun card to make. I stamped the cupcake on the white paper then punched it out and colored the frosting in Orchid Opulence. Then I colored the cherry with red stickles. When the stickles dried, I covered the frosting and the cherry with diamond glaze. (crystal effects) Then I stamped the cupcake on the pattern paper and cut out the "wrapper" then glued it on the finished cupcake so the cupcake matches the background. Fun fun fun. Once again I didn't do a greeting. Partly because all my greetings are now retired, and partly because it is in the background. I love how it turned out. I think it is cute and it was so easy.
Stamps: Michael's $1 cupcake
Paper: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Circle, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Markers

"Celebrate America"

I hope you all had a great 4th of July. The 4th was on a Wednesday this year. Did you know that next year it is on a Friday? We will have a leap year next year. I haven't picked up a stamp in a week until yesterday. I don't know what came over me. I guess I was a little busy, but I shouldn't be too busy to stamp right? I made this Winobella into a celebrate America Bella. I colored her with red marker and then gave her polka-dots with the SU White Gel Pen. Then I colored the wine bottle, the glasses, her shoes, necklace, headband, and frills on her dress with a Gelly Roll glitter pen. Have you ever used one of these before? They are super cool. I got the stamped Bella Image from my friend Kristine. The star eyelets are SU retired and the paper is from the DCWV Summer Pack
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White, DCWV
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, SU Retired Star Eyelets, SU Gel Pen, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

"Teacher's Gifts"

Friday is the last day of school. I know what you are thinking. It is June 29th. School should have been done already. But in California we go to school all year long in elementary school. There are four tracks. A,B,C, and D. The kids go to school for three months and then have a month off. Then go for three months and have a month off. You get the idea. I didn't think I would like it at first but I really do. This way we can go on mini vacations several times a year. Or when the kids are off track, mom can sleep in. LOL This is what I made for the end of the year teacher's gifts for Sarah's kindergarten teachers. I made three of them. She has two teachers, the morning and the afternoon teacher. There is also a boy in her class that has special needs and he has an aid. She is so sweet and she is there every day so I thought I would make her one as well. I found the popcorn tubs and the movie night napkins at Party America. I filled the tub with yellow paper shred and Whoppers, Mike & Ike, Licorice, Chocolate Covered Raisins, and a 3 pack of popcorn. They loved it.

"Frustrating Challenge"

I made this card for this weeks sketch challenge. This card took me about three hours. I really wanted to use this paper and I couldn't find anything that went with it. I hate that when that happends. I started with Heartfelt Thanks. I made two cards. One with the flower stamp with leaves and one with the one with the stem. they were cute but not great. Then tried one with Mixed Bouquet, it was hideous. I mean real bad. Then I made this one with Give Thanks. I like it but don't love it. But it is way better than the others. I spent about 3 hours on this stupid challenge. I usually don't have that much trouble with finding an image that I want to use but this time I did. I think it helped that I embossed the image and the greeting in gold to match the gold in the paper. The other cards I made, I just stamped with colored ink, that's most likely why I didn't like the other ones. I think they were too flat.
Stamps:Give Thanks, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Confetti Cream, DP
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Gold EP, SU Markers, Primas, Brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack

"A Warm Hello"

I really love this paper. I got it at Joann's the other day. It is textured with glitter. The banana strip does really match the paper in person even if it doesn't look like it. Also FYI, I colored the dress bashful blue but when I added the stickles, it looks amethyst. I also colored the flowers celery and banana but they don't look like it either. Man, my scanner really does a number on my cards sometimes. Oh well. I found a jeweled brad that goes perfect with the paper and the prima flower that I got from my friend Kristine, she is way to good to me.
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Greeting (unknown)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Barley Banana, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black, Barley Banana
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, SU Markers, Stickles, Prima, Jeweled Brad

"Happy Bee"

How cute is this stamp from Stampendous? I love it. My friend Kristine stamped some of these images for me and I couldn't wait to make a card. I didn't put a greeting on because I just wanted to leave it general. This is the last week of school for the girls so I don't know how much stamping I will get done. I know what you are thinking. The girls are still in school? But isn't it June 26th? Here in California, the kids go to school all year. They have 4 tracks and go to school for 3 months and then have a month off, then go for 3 months and have a month off. I didn't think I would like it at first but I love it. It is nice to have them home for a month every now and then. I can sleep in sometimes when they are home. Or we can go on mini vacations throughout the year. They start school again August 20th (I think)
Stamps: Stampendous
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Dotted Ribbon, SU Markers, CM Cutting Tools, Rectangle Punch

"I got my Bella's"

My Bella's came, my Bella's came. Woo Hoo!!!! This is the first one I inked up. I love this card. I got the heart cuttlebug embossing folder for my birthday and it goes so perfect with Balloon Bella. I colored her dress and balloons with pretty in pink and then went over them with crystal stickles. It is sooooo pretty and shiny. I also added magenta stickles to her bows and the loops on her dress. I tried to give her shoes but every time I made the line one leg was longer than the other so I had to compensate and then the other leg was longer. Now they are boots. Bad eyes. LOL Oh well. I am thinking that is why Tony doesn't let me cut his hair any more either. One side was shorter then the other so I cut the other side then that side was shorter than the other, now he pays for his cuts. Ha ha ha.
Stamps: Stamping Bella
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Light Pink Dotted Ribbon, Stickles, Stamp-A-Ma- Jig, SU Markers

"Thank You Dragonfly"

I got this dragonfly stamp for my birthday. It is from Great Impressions. I stamped it with versamark and embossed with silver detail EP. The pretty pink ribbon I got from my friend Kristine for my birthday. It matches so well. Thanks Kristine. I colored the image with markers. I had a corneal transplant a couple years ago and sometimes my eyes don't always work so well. I can't tell that things are crooked until I scan. Oh well. It still is cute. I stamped the greeting in Almost Amethyst and punched it out with the 1 1/4th circle punch and layered it on matching cardstock punched out with the 1 3/8th circle punch. I punched out the flower in Pretty in Pink and used a pop dot to give it some dimension.
Stamps: Great Impressions, Riveting (hostess), Canvas
Paper: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Versamark
Accessories: Silver Detail EP, Heat Gun, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 SU Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Pink Making Memories Ribbon, SU Markers

"Molly's Goodie Bags"

I finished the goodie bags for Molly's 5th birthday party. I made 12 for the girls and 6 for the boys. It wasn't too bad. I made one thing each day this week. We are having a bounce house and BBQ Saturday. It should be fun. I don't know how many people are coming so if there are extra gift sets, I just might have to give them away. There are directions for some of the items in my earlier posts if you wanted to know how to make something.
Stamps: Wild About You, Monkey Business, Cool Cat, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: DCWV Summer Pack, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Yo Yo Yellow, Summer Sun, Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Close To Cocoa, Summer Sun, Garden Green, Yo Yo Yellow, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Circle Punch, White and Cream Organdy Ribbon, Tacky Tape, 3X5 note pad, Hand Held Circle Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, SU Markers, Giga and Mega Scallop Oval, Giga and Mega Scallop Square, CM Cutting tools, Crimper, 1 1/4 SU Circle Punch, Hershey Bar, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Black Brads, Jeweled Brads, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, 3 x 4 Ziploc Bagggies, RSVP Pen, Micro Beads, Tacky Tape, Heat Gun

Goodie Bag ~ Beaded Pens

Here are the beaded pens that I made for Molly's birthday goodie bags. This is the first time I have made one with out stamping. This time I used pattern paper. I cut the paper 3 1/4 x 1 1/4 and ran it through my xyron machine. Then wrapped the paper around the barrel of the pen. Then I took tacky tape and wrapped that around the paper, heated it with the heat gun and rolled the pen in the micro beads. Then I rolled the pen on the table to push the beads in just a little and to make it even. These are so fun to make and very easy. If you are not using pattern paper, cut out an address label 3 1/4 x 1 1/4 stamp on the label wrap that around the barrel of the pen then wrap with the tacky tape, heat with heat gun, roll in beads, roll on table and you are done.
Paper: DCWV Summer Pack
Accessories: RSVP Pen, Micro Beads, Tacky Tape, Heat Gun

"Goodie Bag ~ Covered Note Pad"

Here are the covered 3 x 5 note pads I made for Molly's birthday treat bags. Now I only need to finishe the beaded pens and I am done. I got 15 of them done today but I am three short. So I will finish them tomorrow. I know I did way to much detail for these kids but I can't help it. I just wanted them to look nice. Maybe I will get some orders from these. For the girls note pads I stamped the elephant in Regal Rose and used the stamp-a-ma-jig for the flower, which I colored with markers. Always Artichoke and summer sun. Then I punched holes in the scallops. For the boys notepads, I stamped the monkey and the vine and then stamped the bananas on a seperate piece of paper and cut them out. I love how they both turned out. I get my note pads from Walmart. You get 5 note pads for like $1.37. Here are the directions for the covered note pads.

Cut cardstock 3 x 10 3/8th
Score at 5 and at 5 3/8th
I put two strips of tacky tape on the back of the notepad and adhere the cardstock.
Then I put a small strip of tacky tape on the back and adhere the ribbon to it and tie the ribbon to the front.
They are super easy.
Stamps: Wild About You, Monkey Business
Paper: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Close To Cocoa, Summer Sun, Garden Green
Accessories: Giga and Mega Scallop Circle Punch, White and Cream Organdy Ribbon, Tacky Tape, 3X5 note pad, Hand Held Circle Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, SU Markers