Flaky Friends

Made an ornament! Of course I had to put it on our tree to take the picture. This is just a box with no top. the front has a square cut out and window sheet put in between the kraft cardstock and Night of Navy cardstock. Snow Friends are stamped on shimmery white cardstock and colored with aqua painter, Garden Green, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, and Chocolate Chip ink. The picture really doesn't show it but the smallest snow friend in front was stamped,colored and then popped with a pop dot.

I spent the evening wrapping stuff to put in the mail tomorrow. YAY then my out of state gifts will be mailed. Still need to address those Christmas cards. I think I'll take those to the nursing home this weekend and address them while I visit mom.

Happy Friday!!!!!

The Stampin'Up! retirement list comes out on the 1st. I wonder if I can stay up till 2:00 am est to see the list that should be posted by midnight Stampin'Up! time. We will see..........

Happy Stamping

Happy Thursday

Okay Thursday's aren't always the greatest, but they are one day closer to weekend! I'm just counting down the days till I can take a week off work. It's going to be longer than that with the weekends I'll have 11 days off. JOY!!!! Work has been such a drag lately. Normally I'm happy with my day job, but there have been problems with our warehouse moving which has added stress onto my job.

but........there is always bright spots like this card I received from my friend Kat. It was great to find this in my mailbox today



Just what I needed to boost my spirit!

Happy Stamping!

Christmas Keeps Getting Closer!!

I can't believe in a few short weeks it will be Christmas! Where did the year go? I'm looking forward to having the week of Christmas off. Just think of all the stamping I can fit in! YAY.



I just love Festive Favorites. It's one of my favorite Christmas stamp sets. The ornament is a shaker. The tag punches make this a snap to create, and the Dashing designer paper add some pizazz and well as the jute bow and button.



I dusted off my sewing machine (don't laugh) as I haven't used it for awhile and did some zig zag stitching around the card. Again the Dashing designer paper really makes the card. Did I tell you I'm in love with my Pure Color Pencils again? I am! Now that I discovered that you can use Gamsol to blend the colors. OMG what a difference.



I just outlined the reindeer a bit with brown pencil then used the Gamsol on a totillion (not a taco! it's a rolled piece of paper) (you can find these at art supply stores) to pull the color from the outline in towards the center of the deer.




Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping!!!!!

Ornaments and First Christmas card

WOW! I received my very first Christmas card of the season. Thanks Connie beautiful card!

The ball ornaments I made from a kit by Basic Grey. It's just circles that have been scored then glued together. If you want to make some of your own visit this site
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cda/article_print/0,1983,DIY_15079_2354664_ARTICLE-DETAIL-PRINT,00.html



Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving. I enjoyed having 4 days off, but the time went by too fast! Now that the tree it up it has really helped to get me in the holiday mood. I need to get busy and think about gifts this year. I have all my Christmas cards made, but need to address and get them in the mail.

Mom is in the holiday mood also. Sarah and I went to see her yesterday and brought her my famous homemade turkey noodle soup. My mom in law taught me how to make this soup from turkey leftovers many years ago when I first got married. It's tradition now I make it every year. We also took down mom's fall decor and put up a small tree and decorated her door. Room looks festive now.

Happy Monday!

Blog Candy Winner

Congrats to Linda!! Here is her entry. Thanks to hubby for doing the drawning for me.

Linda said...
5000---wow!!
Christmas Eve, we get together with my husband's family, bring lots of games. We then play games with the kids. They enjoy it a lot, even forget about opening up gifts.
Linda Peterson


Linda please email you address to clar42ie@adelphia so I can mail your blog candy.
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments I enjoyed reading the all.

Karen

5000 Views....Time for Blog Candy

Thanks to all who have visited my blog over the past three months. Been having fun posting, and designing artwork for it. To earn a chance to win the Blog Candy just post a comment on this and share one of your holiday traditions. One of ours is putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving and the Christmas countdown mouse. I bought it from Avon when Sarah was a baby. Every year it goes up. The mouse lives in 24 pockets, everyday it gets moved to a new one and there is candy waiting. The kids are 25 and 19 and they still look for the countdown mouse. Another tradition is the ceramic Santa. My mom got is as a gift when I was little. He has a large open toy bag that I put candy canes in. He makes his appearance on Thanksgiving Day.

Blog Candy: Snowman Cuttlebug folder, peppermint candy, spool of gold ribbon, dry embossing tools, Bling! brads, card, ornament stamp, red package of twill tape.

Winner will be selected at random on Sunday the 25th. This post will stay at the top till the drawing. Scroll down to see new posts.

Good Luck!!!

The Tree Is Up!

Busy day!!! It was my daughter Sarah 25th birthday. Happy birthday sweetie!!!! We went to visit grandma (hubby's mom Kate)just for a bit this morning, then we got some lunch and went shopping. Next came more turkey and leftovers, then the tree. What a full day!!! My nephews are still staying with us. We have a full house. One of John's friends also stopped by and is staying the night. Sarah has her friend over, so the house is running over!!!! It's fun though. The boys were helpful with getting the tree decorated.
The one on the far right is my son John, the other two are Corbett and Neil they are my Tony's sons.



In this picture Neil is the one with his eyes closed. He's 17 and Corbett is 19.





I had fun making this card. It was a bit challenging for me. I messed up 4 pieces of cardstock before I finally got the trees how I wanted them. Stamp set: Lovely as a Tree, Canvas background, Christmas sayings by See D's. Cardstock, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Night of Navy. Ink: Garden Green, More Mustard, Night of Navy and Jet Black StazOn. Technique used Reverse Masking. The detail on the tree does not show up in the picture but the white is dimensional snow paint, and also white gel pen. I'm very pleased with this card.

Happy Thanksgiving and Kat Pie

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! My friend shared this picture with me this morning. Just passing it along as I'm still laughing!!! Kat made pumpkin pies and left them to cool....after coming back from errands she discovers that her little angels (let's just call them that....cats) decided to have Thanksgiving early and helped themselves to her pies. LOL Aren't cats wonderful?





Had to play with Fuffles today. Just love this little guy with the turkey stuffed in his mouth.


Today I am thankful for my husband, children, nephews, and friends. I'm thankful for the memories of of the ones that are no longer with me. I'm thankful that I have a good job, food, clothes and a roof over my head. I'm thankful that I am an American and live in a place where I can be free. I'm thankful for all the military that are so far away from there homes today. May God bless them and keep them safe, may they all be back soon with their loved ones.

May God and peace be with all of you today.

Karen

Reverse Masking

I've been inspired! Been meaning to try out this technique for sometime now. After seeing cards made by Lorie http://www.live-love-laugh-create.blogspot.com/
I just had to make a card using this very cool technique. You can check out Lorie's blog she has the directions there.

Stamp sets: Star Studded, Holy Triptych, Canvas Background, ink: Sahara Sand, Elegant Eggplant, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy,Jet Black StazOn, cardstock: Shimmery White, Mellow Moss, Elegant Eggplant. Punch is the retired folk art star.

Had fun doing this. Need to make some more!!!!

Happy Stamping

Open House at the Nursing Home

The nursing home where my mom lives had an Open House today. It was for Thanksgiving. Last year they had dinner when you could eat with your family member. They changed it this year and served snacks, cake, punch and even wine.



They served stuffed mushrooms, sweet and sour meatballs, cocktail sausage wrapped in pastry, cheese crackers and fruit, tons of different cakes and pies. I had a small glass of wine. Mom looked at the stuffed mushrooms and said slop pigs. I had to control my laughter. Mom still doesn't talk in full sentences. I knew what she meant. Mom having grown up on the farm always said it looks like something you'd slop the hogs with when she didn't like the way a certain food looked.



The people in the photos are aides and supervisors of the home. All were good sports about getting pictures taken. Brenda is an aide that mom just loves said she had her picture taken so many times today, but she smiles through all of them.



I'm just thankful that mom does has good caring people to look out for her.

Getting Close to 5000 Views

So exciting....Just checked the blog counter and I'm close to having 5000 views. Soon as it gets to 5000 I think it will be time for blog candy....Don't you agree?


Keep watching

Large Candy Bar Gift Card Holder

I got the pattern from Gift Maker magazine. The large bar is in a sleeve secured with a ribbon so it can be pulled out. On the inside pocket there is a place to slide a gift card. This was done using the window punch. Stamps used: Holiday Tag Team, Truck Full of Love, Dashing designer paper, Real Red, Very Vanilla cardstock, and of course plenty of dazzling diamond glitter!

I came across this great way to apply glitter to a very small area. It's Pinpoint roller Quickie Glue. You can add glue anywhere, apply just like you were writing with a ball point pen. Wish I had discovered it sooner! The product is made by Sakura.

Happy Monday, and Happy Stamping!!! Looking forward to just working 3 days this week.

Box

I found this box pattern in Creating Keepsakes Dec 2007 magazine. It uses 12 x 12 designer paper. I did the bottom of the box with a 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock.

You can also find the how to's and tutorial here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/origami_
box/



I used twill tape to wrap around the box, and Punch Pals for the tag. I really love this set. I've been using it a lot!

Plenty of chores to do today. The house really needs to be cleaned, food has to be bought, wash needs to be done.....think I'll go back to bed!

Happy Stamping!!!!

Let's Go For A Ride

Did you know that the 22nd of this month is National Go For A Ride Day? Well neither did I till I received this card from Kat yesterday! Seeing how Thanksgiving is coming up I guess this is a great time to go for a ride. Now how did that song go? Oh I remember...

Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring,
"Ting-a-ling-ling!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.



Thanks Kat

Strange Things I Collect

Last weekend me and hubby went to Max and Erma's for lunch. I just love to eat there. Anyway......they serve beverages on rectangle shaped chipboard coasters. So of course me who is forever on the lookout for things to alter (for a good price....and free is good)I took the coasters before they got wet from condensation and used napkins for the drinks. So now I have some great chipboard pieces to work with. I've done the same thing at other places. At Red Lobster the manager came over and asked how dinner was and if we needed anything else. I asked him for some coasters and he gave me a stack of them. I thought that was cool!



This card I made for World Hello day. I used the smaller Cuttlebug folders and embossed the designer paper with different circle designs. I had to run it though the machine 3 times as I could only put two of them on at the same time. The other circle and hello folder I had to run by themselves.

What a day this has been. I'm so late posting today due to hubby. He decided once again to reformat the computer so I lost all my stuff in the files, and then had to wait for everything to get added back on before I could even get today's pictures ready to post to the blog. Say it with me MEN!!! Oh well....hopefully everything will be back together and up and running. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Happy Stamping

New Stamp Set!

Thanks Stampin'Up! I receive my new set yesterday. It's called Time Well Spent. It is a level 3 set from the new catalog coming out the 1st of January.



Base card is Pretty in Pink and stamped with Paisley background. Cardstock layers So Saffron, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White. I stamped the butterfly a second time on vellum cardstock, colored with markers, cut out and glued to the stamped image on the butterfly on the Whisper White layer. Used a small hole punch to make the holes for the white twine I used to lace up the side of the So Saffron layer. Only had time to make one card last night. I'm looking forward to making some more samples over the weekend. TGIF!!!!

Remember the other day when I was talking about spending 19.00 on stamps? I wanted to share a pic of some of the finds.


The two ribbon spools were purchased at Dollar General. They were found with the Christmas wrapping paper. 9 ft on the spool for a buck each. The stamps were found at Big Lots. They are by EK Success. The stamps were 2.00 for each package. I just love running into good deals. Now you see why I have so many stamps, and embellishments! I'm always on the look out for a good price on supplies.

I'm off to get ready for work. Poor hubby had to work the day shift today. He normally works second shift at the Middle School, but one of the workers was sick and they asked him to come work days. So he's already left for work.....however I don't think he was awake. I'm sure as soon as he hit the cold air outside he woke up. It did snow last night but didn't stick. It's about 35 this morning. Say goodbye to Indian Summer for us. Time for some cold weather!!!

Happy Stamping

Tony

Forgive me in advance if any of this brings a tear to your eye. Today would have been my brother's 51 st. birthday. As many of you know he passed away in February. This picture is one of my favorites of me and Tony banging on guitars. It was taken a long time ago. You can see his son Corbett in the foreground. He is now 19.

My daughter told me today that I should be celebrating Tony's life today and not mourning him. Easier said than done but I'm going to try my best.

I don't know of anyone who didn't like my brother. He was a soft spoken, gentle man. Reminded me of a big teddy bear. Not to say he didn't get mad every once in a while. I remember when we were kids and hid his favorite hot wheel in the bushes. He was mad then. We never did find that car. He use to bring that topic up every now and again. He was a big collector of hot wheels, models and slot cars. Now no one in the Keith family didn't collect something. When I told him I was starting a Barbie collection he told me no way was he going to go down a stinking Barbie aisle to buy me a doll. But as always I had a new doll on my birthday and on Christmas. He always got the best ones.

He wasn't one to really give advise, but he was best listener I ever knew. He had the kind of gentle way of steering you into doing the right thing without ever really letting you know that was what he was doing.

We grew up playing guitars. Even had our own band in jr. high school. His favorite artist was Neil Young. Even named his youngest son after him. I love Neil Young also but I haven't been able to listen to him since Tony died. One day I hope to be able to. I haven't played the classical guitar he gave me either. I looked at it today and it's just gathering dust. Needs new strings but Tony was the only one able to string it right. I think I'm going to take it to a music store this weekend and get it restrung. Time to me to dust it off and start playing again. I think Tony would like to hear me play again.

Tony was there for his younger sister a lot while we were growing up. He was the typical big brother who got tired of his little sister following him around, but was always there to make sure she was okay. Mom and dad really didn't let me date as I became a teen the only way I could even get out of the house was if Tony got me out. Which he did. Very first concert I went to was to see Al Stewart. Another artist we both liked. We saw him when he played at Kent State. I was 15. He did his best to keep me out of trouble (which wasn't easy)and I believe that Tony helped shape me into the person I am today. Thanks Big Brother. I sister could not have asked for a better person than you to be her brother. And by the way....I'm still just a wee bit angry at you for leaving me, but I know you had to as you were suffering. You're in much better place now. Rest well.

This old guitar ain't mine to keep, it's only mine to play for awhile.
This old guitar ain't mine to keep, it's only mine for awhile....Neil Young

Miss and Love you Tony.

All Tangled Up

Isn't Fluffles CUTE!!!? Just love the little guy. I wrapped up embroidery floss to make the yarn ball, and followed the lines on the stamped image to glue the floss around him. This was the only tent card I made ( called a tent card because the layer is over the top of the card). The wording on the card was done using Stampin'Up! font II CD. Inside of the card reads "I was all wrapped up"

We had some of the best weather today! Indian Summer in November. It got up to 66 today, and lots of sunshine. I decided to leave work during lunch something I rarely do. (because it always costs me money!) I stopped at Big Lots and bought 19.00 worth of rubber stamps and two packs of vellum. The vellum was 1.00 per pack. This hobby of mine is more than an addiction it's really just plain down right SICK!!! I have more money in my stamp room than I have in any other part of the house. Say it with me SICK!!! But I love it though! When I retire from work at least I won't have to worry about stamping supplies. I'm pretty well covered. Some time ago I was chatting with friends and we decided that when we retire and money is tight we can go to each other's house and "Shop" in place of going to a store. LOL

Happy Stamping!!!

Polar Bears!

My friend Debby has been posting some very cute Polar Bear cards on her blog lately. Which reminded me that hey.....I have that set. I loved it when it first came out, and used it a lot!!! So I found it hidden away in a chest with tons of other retired sets and just had to use it:)

The star was stamped on Creamy Caramel with VersaMark then embossed with black embossing powder. Next I used a small paint brush and brushed on some bleach just in the large star. When it was dry I added some color using More Mustard and my aqua painter. Artichoke cardstock, and Ballet Blue cardstock were run though the Cuttle Bug. On the swirl background I rubbed Whisper White craft ink over the raised image. Polar bears were colored using aqua painter and Going Grey ink.

I had way to much fun with this card!!! The "believe" image on the tag was a 1.00 stamp that I got last year from Michael's.

Happy Stamping!!!!!

Snowmen and Candy two Great things that are Perfect Together

Thanks Dawn http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com for posting the instructions to this treat holder on her blog. I just thought it was the cutest thing I had to make one.





Side view of the candy holder
You can find the measurements and directions to make one on Dawn's blog.

The next candy decoration was shared on my group list. Another great idea!



This one is so simple just use the scallop punch, and the 1 3/8 circle punch for the stamped image. Attach to the peppermint patty with mono adhesive. To cute!!!!


At my day job......our hours change today. Instead of working 8 to 5 I'll be working 8 to 4:30. I'll lose 1/2 overtime per day, but that is okay with me. Working that shift made the day so much longer for me. I'll be able to get home at 5 now instead of 5:30. I think that 1/2 hour is really going to make a big difference for me! More stamping time!!!!

Speaking of stamping.......go stamp something! Christmas is right around the corner.

Wouldn't Want to Be Uncle David!

Okay who is Uncle David you ask? He's not my uncle. He is an uncle to one of my best friends. Now from what I know about Uncle David he likes snowmen, and likes to stick confetti in cards for my friend to open. Recently she told me that Uncle David got her with confetti when she wasn't expecting it so.......she remembered I time I sent her a birthday card that had a "confetti flinger mechanism" in it. I got her good! LOL




Getting back to the story......I was asked to make a confetti flinger for Uncle David. Now my friend Lisa made the front of the card and mailed it to me along with a note for her uncle. I was only to make the mechanism for the card. I have it all put together and Lisa will be happy to know that the card will be on it's merry way to Uncle David on Monday. The only thing I regret is I won't be there to see him open the card. I just tried it out to make sure it works. Of course not in the house.....I took it outside where it was safe. Confetti blowing in the wind everywhere!

I'm posting my instructions on my Yahoo Group Karens stamp camps. If you are not a member of that group but want to make a confetti flinger of your own to share the "JOY" with a friend or a loved one.....just post a comment on my blog with your email addy and I'll send you the directions along with step by step pictures.

Happy Confetti Day......Uncle David!!!!

Bling Button

So I took a button that the center was punched out using the Cropidile, and added a rhinestone brad to the center. Instant BLING!!! Stamp set True Friends from the Holiday Mini catty. Designer paper Apple Cider also from the Holiday mini.

Ever wonder what cardstock colors go with the designer paper from Stampin'Up!? There is a sale on the following paper. Buy 3 packs and get one pack FREE! We all know free is good!!! Here is a list of all the cardstock that goes with the designer paper that is currently on sale

Outlaw: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla
Brocade Background: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock
Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky
Linen Prints: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Pink Passion
Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
LeJardin: River Rock, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
Uptown: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Wintergreen: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky
Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
Creepy Crawly: Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust
Notations #2: More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi
Charbon: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla
Cerise: Real Red, Very Vanilla
Dashing: Old Olive, River Rock, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
Darling Doodles: Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Petals & Paisleys: Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Taken With Teal

Holiday Mini

Holiday Harmony: Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate, River Rock
Apple Cider: Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, River Rock, Wild Wasabi

Happy Stamping! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend. So what are you waiting for? Go stamp something already!!!!

National Forget Me Not Day

Now can you believe this one? All three of my buddies picked the same obscure holiday card to make this month. LOL This card is just too darn adorable Kat!!!! Thanks!!!




Now wouldn't it be a hoot if I selected the same holiday? Well sorry to disappoint girls but I didn't pick this day. SHHHHH I haven't even started my cards for this month. I better get busy.

And Kat.......where did you get those flowers on the card? I have to get me some. Love them!!!

Happy Stamping!!!!
TGIF!!!

Cropidile Button Punch Tutorial

I had requests to see how I do this. I know some have broken buttons trying to get it to work. One reader told me she even broke her Cropidile. YIKES!!! So sorry for any problems you have had with this. I took some pictures and I'm hoping this will help. It is a fun way to use buttons on your artwork.

View 1



I've drawn a line with a white gel pen on the button so you can see where the smallest punch on the Cropidile will go. I'm using an 1/2 inch button.

View 2


This one shows the smallest hole punch on the Cropidile. This is the one you need to be using.

View 3

This view shows the punch lined up in between the two holes of the button. You will be punching out the center of the button that is in between the two holes. You can see the prongs of the punch are just a little bit in each hole of the button

View 4


This view shows the Cropidile all the way punched through the button. Not an easy shot to take since I was punching with one hand and taking a picture with the other hand! LOL

View 5

Okay last view shows what the button looks like after punching. As you can see in the photo only the center has been punched out. You can see the little piece next to the button. The button didn't shatter.

It may be the type of button. I've only tried this with buttons made by Stampin'Up!. It may not work with some of the harden tortoise shell buttons.

Okay I've done some playing around with other buttons. I've got it to work on wood buttons, and plastic buttons. It will not work on the hard tortoise shell buttons.
My advise: try the button out. If you can't get the Cropidle to easily go through the button don't force it. You should be able to tell if it will go through.

Hope this helps

Figgy Pudding!

I just picked up a pack of new paper from Basic Grey. It's dual sided and called Figgy Pudding. Just love it! This card is a bit different for me. I wanted to step out of the box just a bit. Base card is 5 x 5 Sage Shadow. You'll remember the buttons from yesterday. Yes I used the Cropidile again on the buttons, but this time I used cream ribbon with them.




Just threaded them on and tied a knot. Stamp set is Big on Christmas, colored with Creamy Caramel, Ballet Blue,and Bravo Burgundy. The ornament in the center was stamped again on the figgy pudding paper, then trimmed just a bit inside the line and adhered on the stamped imaged. Now the circles at the bottom are me stepping outside the box. The circles are from Cold Play. I wanted to use them for something else other than making a snowman. So I stamped them on the Bravo Burgundy cardstock using whisper white craft ink and bravo burgundy ink.

Till tomorrow! May you ink pads be always inked, and may you always have the color cardstock your looking for when you need it!

Snow Showers!

I woke up to snow showers! It's a wet snow mixed with lots of rain, so it won't stick. Just got to love the first snow of the season. Makes me want to stay home with my cat, some tea, and my stamps!!


Remember the prong fastener card I did a few days ago? Well here is another one. I'm I'm so tickled with myself for coming up with something new!!! See the yellow buttons on either size of the fastener? I just know your thinking to yourself "How did she do that!"



Well if you don't have a Cropadile.......run out and get one NOW!!!!!! I'll wait till you get back...............................................................
I used my Cropadile to punch out the center of each button. Then I slid the button over the fastener and folded the prongs down to hold them in place. TOO COOL!!!

Cardstock used: Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Always Artichoke. Base card stamped with Flannel BG using Ballet Blue ink. White layer was embossed with Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder. "SNOW" colored with Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Ballet Blue, and Going Gray. Used aqua painter to color it in. Stamped a second image and popped the snowman.

Had some exciting news at work yesterday. I earned sales person of the month for October! YAY go me. I get to park in the employee of the month space for the entire month. AWESOME.....which means I can leave just a bit later in the morning cause I know I won't have to hunt for a parking spot. This is the second time this year I've won. I'm hoping it will help with my end of the year raise.

Happy stamping!!!!

Another Caught in Crystal

Still playing with this technique.






On the angel I used Bordering Blue, Olive Olive, and More Mustard reinker. Added some glitter before putting down the tissue paper. The Mustard layer is stamped with Paisley, base card Elegant Eggplant. Added a scrap of twill tape to the top of the mustard layer. Mini glue dots are perfect to use to adhere the completed caught in crystal panel to the cardstock.

Happy Stamping......and Happy Monday......again!!!
Go BROWNS!! They won again yesterday that's 4 games in a row. I don't think that has ever happened before.

Caught in Crystal

Now here is a technique that I have not used in a very long time. If you'd like to try it here is what you need: White tissue paper, rubber glove (messy), dye based reinkers, crystal effects, or floor wax, or PPA (perfect paper adhesive), acetate, jet black StazOn, detail stamp, dazzling diamond glitter, or pearl ex, optional.

Stamp image in window sheet using black ink, let dry.
Turn image over.
Add crystal effects or floor wax or ppa (I like using crystal effects)
Drop some reinker. (one drop of each color will do it. You don't want to overpower the image on the other side....speaking from experience here!)
Use a gloved finger to move the ink around in the glue
Sprinkle on glitter or pearl ex at this point if you'd like
Wad up tissue paper that is larger than the acetate, open and smooth out but leave the wrinkles
Place over the glue/ink and tap down. Make sure it's all pressed down, you don't want any spaces or air bubbles showing
Let try, trim and mount as desired.

Christmas Advent Tag Countdown

I'm so excited about this project!!! Took some time, and I wish the pictures were better but this is the best I could do.

I started out with a 16 x 12 wood framed cork message board. Painted the wood frame with gold acrylic paint, next I cut and glued natural mulberry paper to the cork. Luggage tags started out being 1 1/2 by 3 but I had to cut them down to 2 1/4 inches long to get them all to fit. I did try to use the tag punches from Stampin'Up! but they are a bit to wide. You could use them if you use a wider board. The fun part was after the board was finished. I used many different stamp sets. Embellishments used: brads, glitter, Stickles red, small oval punch, circle punch, gold cord. "T" pins were used to attach the tags to the board. You can find these in the sewing section....

and a large stamped envelope to hold all the tags.



Each tag was stamped with a number and stippled with Close to Cocoa ink. Some of the stamp sets used: Punch Pals, Festive Favorites, Santa Post, and Holiday Tag Team.
I was going to give this away as a gift, but I love it so much, and I just don't see myself making another one.

Happy Stamping!