Flying Elf

Here is a little card I made for my mom, it holds her GC for a steakhouse she and my dad enjoy going to. A Muse sentiment and image. Basic Grey designer papers. Colored with Copics. Heidi Swap ghost shape snowflake.

A giftcard holder

I turned this card into a giftcard holder for our nephew Jacob for Christmas. Inside I just made a small envelope to hold the actual card. I used the new versamark inkpad that sparkles on the background. I don't think that the phot shows it off very well. It has to catch the light a certain way to see it.

Cute RAK

Since I seem to given up even trying to stamp this month, I thought I would show you something I received in the mail this week. My friend Tracy Tripp sent me this altered tin and altered tic-tac box. Such a cute idea! She used a rub-on on the lid of the tin and DS papers. Its really cute! Thank you Tracy! Your card is cute too but I forgot to take a picture of it!

I am dealing with some undesirable womens health issues an its sucking the life out of me right now. I am not sure when I will stamp again. I still have not even finished my christmas shopping. I have never waited this late before. I am in a panic for sure! Yet here I am posting online instead of shopping! Gotta run!

Baked With Love

Another A Muse attempt. I just love this little Baking set, it is so cute!

Cozy little Birdie

Here is my A Muse December Homepage entry for the A Muse Addicts website. A Muse papers, Basic Grey paper, and Bravo Burgundy papers were used. The felt poinsettia is from Hero Arts.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving, this is just a little fall card for all my cyber friends. Hopefully I will be stamping more soon.

Another cupcake card

I love cupcakes and bunnies! This card took a whole 'nother direction after I started it. I was using a different set, a different layout and different purpose, but this is where it ended up. I hope you like it. There is a little Spica glitter pen on the frosting and I could not capture it on the camera no matter how many pictures I took. *sigh* I have my Wassail paper pack out on my desk so I am on a kick using it. I really haven't used this much Burgundy and artichoke paper in a couple years. Apparently even with all the hundreds of color ribbon I own, I don't have one single Burgundy ribbon match. I must see how I can fix that! Colored with copics.

MFt roll

Apparently I am on a Flopsy kick! I must be trying to channel the rabbits that live in my house! I wish they could get their own food LOL. I discovered I am missing the in between size nesties while making this one. I only have the small petite ovals and the small regular ovals, none of the large so I couldn't get the right amount of layer space that I wanted. I can't believe it. I thought I was all set. That will teach me to not buy the whole thing all at once!

Gift card Flopsy

I made a little 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" gift card holder when I saw this set from MFT. It reminds me of Barnes and Noble and it reminded me that I have a gift card to give as a belated gift to a relative.The pocket inside is just a piece of cs cut 4.5 x 3.5 and I scored each side at 1/4" and scored and folded the bottom up. I used red line tape on the flaps to secure it. The card slides right in. Images were colored using Copic markers, Basic Grey designer paper and Bravo Burgundy cs was stamped in Hounds tooth by CHF.

Cupcake Flopsy!

Well I finally stamped something. I got my new MFT stamps in the mail this weekend and I decided to go ahead and stamp. I actually added this one to the MFT gallery for a contest. The biggest problem I had was photographing this. My light box is put away for a few days until the house cleaning gets done and I was too lazy to get it out. I might retake this tomorrow in the sun. Its hard to see the glitter cupcake and the glittery brads.

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween

Race For The Cure

Hey everyone,

My daughter is joining the Race For the Cure run here in Austin Texas and is looking for donations. Here is the link to her schools donation page. Click on the link and look for the donation tab. I am very proud she is taking this on for her school.

RaceForTheCure

A *Black Bear*

Here is a little something I made for no particular reason , just to get me back to stamping. I have been playing around with the Copics trying to achieve a *black* look without it being so dark that the outlines disappear. Its not that easy to do. I used the C3,C5, and C7 greys to get this look. The browns are a whole 'nother story ;).I keep coloring animals brown all the time and well, it was time for a black bear! My photo box is not out so I took the picture outside and the sun is a little bright today. Sorry. I used my Jenome sew mini with grey thread and did a crazy stitch just for fun. I can use this for one of my nephews for their birthday. I think the flower isn't too frilly. I wanted to use that star brad and it looked naked just stuck in a corner.

Where am I?

I know I have been gone along time from here. I have been having a case of the dramas and have not stamped one single thing since the first weekend in October. I am hoping to clear my head and get back around to it this week. Its been a bit of a nightmare and I am ready to get over it.

My god daughter, the daughter of my best friend from high school, has fallen in love with a religious fanatic that talked her into dropping out of college and running away to marry him. He has isolated her from her family and told them not to try to communicate with his wife for a period of 3 months. I guess that's the standard amount of time it takes to brainwash someone. I don't really know. I do know that her mom and step dad are completely devastated, hurt, angry, scared ect... I don't think this is a decision that is good for an 18 year old to make. Especially one that has never had to work a day in her life and barely just got her own bank account. Unfortunately she gets to learn the hard way about life now.

Anyway, there is not much I can do to help her at this point, I am just beeing a supportive friend to her mom and seeing if I can help her in any way what so ever. My goal for the week is to stamp atleast twice. We shall see if I can still do it! *sigh* I gotta get over the blues soon or the guilt over my stamping supplies is going to kill me!

Upsey Daisy

Oh my....I am in LOVE with the new top note die from SU! I finally received mine this week! It is so cool! Here is a little scruffy kind a card I made while I was supposed to be cleaning this morning LOL.

• Colors are Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Close to Cocoa
• Upsey Daisy SU set and several backgrounders from CHF and SU
• Making Memories flocked brad, Heidi Swap ghost flower, and Prima flowers
  

Doorprize

Here is a peak at my doorprize for next weekend. Its a frame altered with SU designer paper called Le Jardin and a clear paint can filled with some goodies.

Swap sneak peak

Here is the card I plan to use as my Austin shoebox swap card next weekend. I had originally been so excited that there were no vendor restrictions on them this time. I had big plans to use something other than SU. Well, guess what? I used SU stamps anyway. I fell in love with the new Toile background stamp and decided to make a toile card. Also used the swiss dot CB embossing folder, the mega and giga marvy flower punches, and 5/8" black grosgrain ribbon. I hope that everyone likes it.

MFT Challenge

Today instead of working on my swaps or my doorprize for next weeks SCS shoebox swap, I stamped a challenge card. I am really not supposed to be stamping for pleasure LOL. I am supposed to be getting ready for the swap seeing as I have hostess duties and all. Oh well, slap me or something.

• Stamps: Merry Christmas? MFT
• Ink: Momento Black, Copics, Bravo Burgandy
• Paper: Basic Grey Figgy, Burgandy, PTI White
• May Arts Velvet Ribbon, Burgandy Stickles
  

I haven't dropped dead or anything...YET

I have been working on my house cleaning and de-cluttering and miscellaneous stuff for a week or more. Yesterday I had my carpet cleaned and its still not dry. My stamp closet door has been blocked by my LR recliner and I can't get in there. Hopefully I can move it back later today. Parts of my carpet felt dry but others are still damp. We have a surprise birthday party to attend in Ft Worth on Saturday night so we are staying in a hotel that night with both the kids. They will probably try to kill one another but DH is bringing the duct tape just in case. I am also co- hostessing a SCS shoebox swap in a few weeks and I have been doing things to get ready for that event. Its on World Cardmaking day. Should be fun. Anyway, my blog is being neglected for now. Just way too much other stuff to do.

Channeling The Cat's Pajamas

I have had this Cat's Pajamas set on my mind for months, ever since I received it as a gift from Alma at the Arlington shoebox swap. I have a hard time with coming up with ideas that don't involve flowers or shabby chic themes. I am trying to expand my horizons, stretch my wings ect... I actually love bright colors and the first set of inks I bought were the bold brights from SU. Now as I grew in the stamping arena, I realized it wasn't the best choice for me but the brights still do have a spot in my world today. Every once in awhile I break out and get BOLD! I am also trying to color more and this set lends itself to coloring. I plan to give it to my BIL even though it seems juvenile and a little girly. He turns 40 this week and we are giving him a gag gift to go with it. Fun times!

PS. The sentiments are computer generated and printed

MFT challenge

I finally have some MFT stamps. I have treated myself to a small order to get myself going. I have been afraid of the coloring or I would have ordered them sooner. They are very cute. I happen to think Flopsy is adorable! I used my Basic Grey Archaic paper pack for the first time too. Its cool. I didn't use any bling on this one. maybe next time.

Birthday RAKs

From Kathi127

From kasevers (Kim

From Connie Heitner
From Earlymorning(Dawn) From Pamela
From Loretta

I recently celebrated my birthday and I received some lovely RAKS that I thought I would share with you. Thank you so much for remembering me on my birthday. It meant so much to me.

Engagement card

This is a gift card holder for my hubby's cousin that is having an engagement party tonight. I have struggled with a gift idea all week because it's not a shower, it's an announcement type party. I decided at the last minute that instead of wine, I would bring a gift card for a restaurant. Who wouldn't want a dinner out while planning a wedding? I thought it was a good idea. As you can see, this card is multi-layered. As you open it, the gift card is inside the smaller card.
I stamped the greeting on the inside bottom flap.
It was hard to see so I bent it back to take the picture, opened it up so you can get a better look.
Here is a side view. This is not an original idea. I spotted it on a blog and I can not find it again. If this design layout belongs to you, please take credit for it because I will never find it again. Thank you.

Under the Stars

Here it is, the bear in the woods, under the stars, camping LOL. Attempt number one at making an animal card. You know I am not good with stamps that aren't floral. This is extremely difficult for me and I am really wondering why I needed another animal set I can't work with. Oh ya, I remember now...It was on sale *wink* Try to pretend its colored really well and my photo isn't blurry! I took 7 pictures and everyone was slightly blurry. I may have had too much caffeine today!

Archivers Ultimate Clear Card Class

On Friday I went to Archivers and took a class on clear, acetate card making. We made 4 cards while we were there. I was originally supposed to take the class with my friends from SCS Brenda and Rea Anne but life got in my way and I had to re-schedule during a different time. I was very sad about that because I love to take classes with my friends. Anyway, here are my samples from the class.

Essence of love

Playing with my SU stuff today. The sentiment is a new one from the SU level one hostess set: Best Yet. The New Toile background is stamped in Mustard ink on saffron CS.....love toile, love love love it!

Card for a friend

Here is a scrappy card I made for a dear friend of mine. I used the new Bella Rose paper from SU and Riding hood red paper. The flowers are punched from the Marvy Uchida Flower punch in the giga and mega sizes. The Trio of flowers is a SU punch. The trio flowers have dew drops in the centers. May Arts ribbon.

I am the winner!

I am the winner of this adorable little home made box of goodies. Hooray for me! Last night a group of the Austin A muse Addicts got together for a little Welcome To Texas Lexi party and shoebox swap. This box is home sewn by Kim Linley of Fresh air crafting fame.

Kim rocks! I also purchased the Martha Stewart halloween drippy goo punch today due to her enabling....way to go Kim.

I had a wonderful time last night at the shoebox swap. We stamped until close to midnight, ate some good food, had lots of caffeine and laughs. It was a rip roaring good time. I want to do it again.

*by the way i lifted this photo from Kim's blog. My batteries aren't charged right now on my camera.Thanks Kim

My A Muse Doorprize

I thought that since tonight is the A Muse Austin shoebox swap, I could post my doorprize project. It is a tea tin decorated in the A Muse Kitchen collection papers. Inside holds a couple little prizes for the winner. After I made it and filled it with my prize I decided it wasn't enough so I dragged out my B-I-A and made a little notebook to go with it. Now I am satisfied! I haven't shown my swap card, its actually a card I have made before only slightly different in order to accomodate 20 duplicates, I discovered I didn't have enough paper to make 20 and it was too late to order more. OOps! Procrastination is never a good idea.

The New SU catty

Well it came today and its pretty good. I have been through it twice so far. I first stuck post it notes on the stuff I liked, then, I went back and looked at it all again. Looks like I can get it all in 2 hostess orders more or less. Thats really not bad. I am not sold on the new in-colors yet so that helps a lot. I love the pink and red, but not so much the orange and green and definately not the blues this time. I will have to adjust the second order next month and include supplies for the 2nd Austin SCS shoebox swap in October. No telling what I will want to make for that one but I know that I will need supplies. I really don't think my order is too crazy. I do love the new punches though.

So far my first order looks like this:

11209
scallop punch
112081
scallop square punch
112149
Parisian Summer designer paper
112966
curly label punch punch box
111373
Pink pirouette ribbon
111374
Red riding hood
ribbon
111678
Say it with scallops stamps
111500
Full of Life stamps
111556
Under the Stars stamps
111672
Pocket Silhouettes stamps
11598
Bella Toile backgrounder


My second order will look like this:

11568
classic stripes backgrounder
111037
Cheers to You stamps
113122
cheers wheel
111660
just jawing stamps
112467
Prestwick designer paper
112155
Red riding hood designer paper
111656
Inspired by Nature stamps
111636
Gratuitous Graffiti backgrounder

All of this is subject to change of course.

Seriously love this paper

Oh how pretty are these colors? LOVE THEM! I love this rose paper the most out of the whole pack but wow, this pink and red look great together! The butterfly was colored and then I went over it with a clear copic glitter pen, its hard to see in the photo. Then I popped it up on a tiny piece of foam deminsional.

Paper: Bella Rose, Red Riding hood, Pink Pirouette
Stamps: Dreams Dijour, SU backgrounder Pretty Petals
May Arts ribbon

Happy Birthday Hubby

Today is my hubby's birthday and of course I waited until the last minute to go buy him a gift and to make his card. Atleast it got me stamping again. My brads look uneven in my photo but I moved them back in line in real life, I was too lazy to retake the picture.

This card has several issues that bug me but it will have to be good enough. I think he will like it.

• Paper: Ruby Red, Western Sky DS paper from SU
• Inks: Ruby, Sky and Blue bayou, adirondak black
• Stitched ribbon, mini brads, SU star punch

Stamper's block

Well, I have it, I have stampers block again. I am getting sick of myself getting this all the time. Really! I have new stamps begging to be inked and I just can't make anything no matter what I try. We are going to the beach for a few days and I am hoping I can stamp again when I get back home. Oh well, coloring images isn't even helping. The challenges aren't helping either. I need a break I guess. Maybe I have run out of ideas and I will never be able to make a single thing again. argggggggg!

Copics oh my

Todays homework for me was to stamp some images and practice blending with my copic markers. These markers are fabulous and I love that they leave no lines and they look so smooth when you color with them. I started by downloading a color chart from Sharen Harnist blog.

I then colored in each square with the markers I currently own so I wouldn't ever buy another duplicate marker by mistake again and so I could see what the colors look like when I sit down to use them. Next I stamped my little Loads of Love truck from SU 3 times on PTI white CS using Aderondak Ink in black. Now I got busy coloring. I have read that you should start with the lightest ink and then add to it with your darker colors. I actually touched the tip of my light marker to the tip of the darker one to pick up the color. It isn't supposed to hurt it or ruin the markers. So I colored away and practiced the techniques I have been reading about. I realize I have a long way to go before I am good at this coloring, but, I plan to keep practicing and hopefully improve someday. Its not bad but I think when I photograph these images I can see where I need to improve. I just thought I would share what I am doing today because I am bored LOL.