BLOG Candy!!

Hey all! It's my bloggin' friend Tina's birthday and.... she's giving away some AWESOME blog candy! One of the new clear sets from Impression Obsession! So, go wish her a happy day - and get in on the blog candy action! Click HERE for the link! Happy Birthday Tina!!

Some News.... and Graduation Time Cards!

You want the news? Or the Grad cards first. Oh.... the news you say??? Great! LOL!

Well, First, I got an email from Paula Pascual who runs this blog - Crafty Storage - and she profiled my stamp room!! I have to admit I was a bit taken back. My stamp room?? I mean, I love my little space but it's just that -- a little space. Basically, it's a closet and a desk! I was honored! If you click on "Crafty Storage," there's a link. There are some real Cadillac stamp rooms on her blog! Like THIS one. Holy Cow -- can you imagine???? Or even THIS one.... Ok, that one is only in my dreams and maybe not even then!! Ok.... let's move on!!!

Wanna hear some fun news? One of my cards made it into Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine.... and I didn't even know it! I got a congratulations and I actually said, "huh? Really?" HA! So, I went and got and it low and behold - there is one of my Valentine Martini cards!! It was this one.... FUN stuff!

Now... to a card! Finally! My two twin nephews graduate this weekend and I had to make some kind of "masculine" grad cards. I had these images from Paper Inspirations for a while! So, thankfully, I got to use them!
This first card is super duper easy. I used the Success Background from Paper Inspirations and just stamped it with Versamark ink and embossed it in silver on a piece of grey textured paper. I matted this onto a piece of silver paper that is 1/8" larger. The Mortar Board was stamped on white with black ink and then double matted onto black (1/8" larger) and then silver. It's a 5-1/2" by 5-1/2" card.

This next card I did as a money holder card. I tried to find a template that was like a card and the only thing I found was a website that helped you make your own card with printed images on it. Well, I actually ran through this program, printed it, and used it as a template for my card! THIS is the site if you want to try the same thing! I used silver Stardream paper, and stamped the success background stamp all over my template with Versamark ink. I love how subtle this effect is! I wasn't sure it would show up on metallic paper -- but it did! On the inside, I stamped the Graduation Sentiment (sorry, couldn't find a link to this one! It's also Paper Inspirations) It says, "Graduate, may you find great joy and success as you pursue the dreams of your future."

Well.... off for now! Before I go, I want to say thanks to my bud Jacki who gave me an award the other day-- the Arte Y Pico award for artful bloggers. Click HERE to read her blog. She rocks. She's a designer for the Hero Arts Website and I just love her style! Thanks Jacki!

Ok, this was just one big Julie fest wasn't it? Well - my friends, if I can't tell you some fun things -- who on God's green earth can I tell (other than my mom and hubby)?? Gotta celebrate with someone-- right?

Have a fab Thursday! It's almost time for Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge-- let's just say if you like drama--- this challenge will be right up your alley! :-) See ya then!

Make It Stick!

Hi all!

Did you know one of my favorite super dooper easy cards is to use stickers! Penny Black stickers are my fave and you can create a whole set of cards in about an hour with just a sheet.

Here's what the sheet looks like....
And here are just some of the creations you can make!!!

Card #1 - This card is pretty much an exact copy of a stamped card using Penny Black stamps. It's really neat that the company matches up its stamps and stickers so you can create backgrounds or stamp some pieces to coordinate!

Card #2- Mat up the sticker, add some ribbon and you're done!
Card #3 - Use the strip on the sticker sheet as an accent border, mat the sticker and add some Stickles glitter glue for some glitz!Card #4- Mat your sticker onto some coordinating card stock. Use a belt buckle die cut to attach to your matted piece, thread through some sheer ribbon, add some bling and mat this piece up!
Like I said - super dooper easy! And fun! I felt like I conquered the world making 4 cards in less than an hour!! Ok, maybe I am exaggerating, but you get my drift!!!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

I'm back!

Wow, I kind of feel like a slug when I don't post something in a few days! I kind of feel like -- "come on girl, get moving-- will ya!" I think I am seriously addicted to my craft room! I put on my favorite CD, turn it up and just rock and stamp. Sometimes its classical, sometimes its kind of a gospel, sometimes it's funk, sometimes its R&B.... I don't discriminate!! :-) But, no matter what the CD fires up, I get this peaceful feeling like it's just me, my stamps and I!

This card was created thanks to Chris and Lesli over at Page Plans! I saw this sketch and thought, Hhhhmmm, I don't think I've ever done a card with a layout quite like that before! So, had to try it!! Click on the link to see their sketch. Here's what I came up with....


I just bought this metallic sheen paper at Hobby Lobby and it is truly luscious! It's actually called the Luxury Stack and DCWV makes it. They are yummy! All I did was cut out a shape with my circles Nestabilities, stamped my Baby stamp (Stampin' Up) and then cut a piece of ivory shimmer paper with my circle scallop punch (SU). The strip to the left is a piece of pink shimmer paper and the other strip is ivory satin ribbon. I attached the scalloped piece to the front of my card with foam tape and then added the adhesive backed pearls in a semi circle.

Now.... to the fun part!! I stamped the "Baby" stamp in Tea Rose Vivid! ink. See how bold it looks? It doesn't match the paper one bit! Well, I had an idea on how to tone it down after reading Sharon Johnson's Blog last week... create some LuminArte Shimmer!


To break it down for you, you need some goodies from Luminarte! If you mix their Simple Solution #2 (three parts) to one part of the Pure Mica Metallic Powder (I used Oyster), it creates this gorgeous shimmer that you can then paint on your paper. I was fully expecting my ink to smear since it was a dye based ink and not permanent - but it didn't! After I painted it on with a foam brush, I hit it with a heat tool and it was dry to the touch in just about a minute. Look at the difference between the two photos!! It's a perfect match to my shimmer paper! This was such a fun technique and super dooper easy to do! The paint is water soluble so it makes for easy clean up! Sharon went more in depth on the process and it is more of a tutorial. Click HERE to read her impressions!! If you'd like to try your hand at this, Flourishes does sell the solution and the Pure Mica powders in a number of colors!!
Well, it's officially summer vacation here at my house - kids home from school and fun to be had! This is when I kick into "cruise director" mode and try to dream up fun things to do. Do you have any fun things you love to do with your kids in the summer? Creative things? Pass them on! Leave me a comment. I am needing some inspiration!

Happy Blogoversary To Me!!

I'm just going to be silly and wish my blog a happy blogoversary! Can you believe I was checking email this morning and my darling mother wished me a happy day? Wow, she even remembers that? I can't remember and there's a little button on the side of my blog counting me down!!!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who stops by this place. You brighten my day! You give me support! You make me laugh! You are the best! Here's to one year...... and many more together! :-)

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Impression Obsession Sale!

Want to get your hands on some Impression Obsession Stamps at a discount? You can receive 15% off your online order PLUS get free shipping anywhere in the U.S. on any order over $20. Just enter this coupon code MEM08. This sale will end Monday at Midnight! There are a TON of new fun stamps-- you should go check it out!

Hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! I'll be back Tuesday with some new creations!

Stamp Simply 36 --- Gone Buggy!

Happy Friday! This week's Stamp Simply challenge (ssnotime36 on Splitcoast) is "Going Buggy!" Click HERE for all the details on Sharon's place! All you need to do is use a bug on your card. You can stamp it, punch it, take it from dp, the sky is the limit and creativity rules! Well, you know me - I'm a bit of a jokester ..... so... this is my bug!!!
A few weeks back, Clear Dollar Stamps had a banner on Splitcoast and I popped in for a peek. I wasn't familiar at all with their stamps and thought they looked fun! I saw this "bug" and thought it was the cutest darn thing! When Sharon told me about the challenge I went "ah-ha!" and emailed Lori at Clear Dollar right away. Bless her heart - she is such a good sport! She shipped me the stamps right away! What fabulous service! The set is called "Sometime You're The Bug!" Gotta love this saying....Sometimes you're the windshield....
Sometimes, you're the bug! Did ya see that splat on my windshield! ROTFL! That splat is in the set too!
You might wonder how I "colored" my bug. The entire thing is pretty much paper pieced. Don't gasp! You know how I love to cut and this was the perfect image for it. I could easily have colored it - but I didn't. I know some of you out there are saying - This is supposed to be "Stamp Simply!" I think that statement is subjective! hee hee! The only parts that were colored on this were the silver accents on the bumper, the windows, and the little piece hanging down from the rear view mirror. I did add a bit of watercolor wash to the windows to make them look more "windowy!" :-) The tail lights are stickers from Stampendous. They are just sparkly dots. Did you see the license plate? LOL! Can you tell I had fun with this one??
Need some more inspiration?
Check out what the other ladies on the Stamp Simply Team created!
Dee
Tammy
Janine
Jennifer
Becky

Have a great weekend! Make time for play time!

Poppies In Red...

Hey all! Got a super easy one for you today! I did this one to go with a gift for my daughter's teacher! I wanted to take some time to watercolor and I just love these poppies from Stampendous. I used watercolor paper (Strathmore 140# cold press), stamped my image with Versafine Onyx Black, heat set it and then I wet the paper down -only in the area that I wanted to color! I started with the background first with a blue wash and then wet down the flowers. I went over the petals once with a red wash and then used more paint to add the shadows and give it more depth. The same went for the stems. I went over it twice to get more depth in the color. The centers were just colored with a Black Sharpie and I added some Stickles to the centers to help make those poppies pop! I matted it on black, added the "Thank You" sentiment from Impression Obsession. The dp is by Crate Paper. It was a simple card just to say thanks for a great school year!

Well, the week is about to wrap up and we'll hopefully all sail sweetly into the holiday weekend! You'll have plenty of time to stamp--right? And, thankfully, Sharon has a great Stamp Simply challenge planned for Friday! It's a perfect challenge to usher in summer! That's my only hint guys! :-)

Until tomorrow!








P.S. Thanks to my buddy Diane for a FUN award. This icon is hysterical! She gave me the YOU ROCK MY SOCKS award! Well, gotta pass this on to a few people!!!

First to my YKYR bud--- Deb-- need I say more?; Janine --I've been telling you you rock for months and months now!; Jennifer -- you are creative and make me laugh (especially when you're on the java or bubbly!); Denise G. who rocks even if she doesn't have a blog!; Cheryl- who not only has fun creations but is just the sweetest person EVER!!,Bela - who not only rocks it out on her blog with music but is off the charts creative with the fun she has on her space in blog land! AND, last on the list but first in my heart-- MY MOM! If you come here regularly, you already know you rock. YOU DO! So pass it on!

Q & A

Hi All!
Terri had a question and I realized, I didn't do a good job of explaining ANY of the cards posted today. She asked how I attached the feathers on the ostrich card. I actually took an Xacto knife and cut along one of the wing lines and then stuffed the feathers through the hole. I stuck some double stick tape on the back side to make sure they didn't fall out. It worked ok. It was a bit tricky to get them all in there but with some tweezers and a little patience.... it was doable!

Hope you had a great day!

The cat is out of the bag!

Well, if you missed the fun last night on Splitcoast for the Gina K. Designs reveal.... here's some of what you missed! We had a blast chatting the evening away!! And, had lots of fun revealing the new images! If you like a good challenge, click HERE to head on over to the Gina K. Forum! You'll see three sketch challenges and you have until Thursday at 8PM to enter the contests! If you enter a card, you'll be in a random drawing for a FREE STAMP SET! Fun Stuff! I even did a sketch for one of the challenges! :-) I'm challenge #1!

Here are the cards I made for the preview party....These two cards show the new set Jumping For Joy from Melanie Meunchinger! They are so fun and will easily go with any of Mel's other sets! She really has done it again!

And, then there is the cuter than cute zebra!!! Don't ya love the matching bling? That's another Gina K. release!

I even added a little "peek-a-boo" sentiment!

And... this was the final preview card of the night! It's part of the One Free With Three Set. If you buy three sets, you get this set -- free!


Of course, if you want to see the sets in full-- all you need to do is head on over to Gina K.'s site! Check out the gallery too to see some of the other new creations!

Happy Wednesday! Until tomorrow!

p.s. Edited to add! Well, last night when I did this post, I forgot to say that my Zebra card was influenced by a sketch that the gals over at Page Plans have going on this week!!!! So, check it out! FUN stuff!

The Party Is Tonight!

Ok... Just gotta say Blog Land Is Grand! I woke up yesterday feeling kind of "off." It was gray outside. I had no ambition. Didn't feel the love if you know what I mean. Then.... Deb made me laugh. Cheryl honored me. Janine sent me goodies via snail mail. (Click on the link to see what beautiful things she sent-- I don't feel worthy!) And Denise (who shall remain blogless for now) sent me an email that made me chuckle. How did you all know that I needed a little pick me up! For the rest of the gang that checks in on me here. You have NO idea just how much your comments make me smile --- keep 'em coming my friends! I love our daily chats!!

Ok, I'm going to "tease" you a bit more! Tonight's the release party for Gina K's new sets! FUN! Click HERE for the link to the preview party -- it starts at 7PM Central time and the fun will keep on going until 10PM Central!

Wanna see what I've got cooking for the release???




How's that for a tease! You'll just have to come hang out with us for more fun, card designs, games, challenges and contests! Don't forget to check out Gina's blog for a few more sneak peaks! I don't know how she does it! Runs a company, handles production, has a retail store and still has time to stamp!! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cleansing Breath!

Well folks, there's a good reason why I have NOTHING to post this morning! I spent the entire day yesterday relaxing. My dad's cousin lives about 130 miles from us in a little Montana town called Clyde Park (population roughly 200). They live smack dab in the middle of mountains. Mountains on every side! It is a panoramic view like you've never seen. My pictures are ok, but they really don't beat being there!!



Ahhhhh.... cleansing breath. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

I can't say that I haven't been creating! I have a few cards that I am saving just for tomorrow's big release party for Gina K. Designs! She has five new sets, four new single stamps, and two new kinds of embellishments! So, be sure to check out Gina K.'s blog for all the details and a few more sneak peaks!! FUN! FUN! FUN!

Gina K!

Hey all! Just a short and sweet one this morning - can't be late for church! The "big guy" probably wouldn't understand!! :-)

I did this card as a sketch challenge from the ladies (Chris and Lesli) over at Page Plans! This was last week's sketch and today-- they have a darling new one up! You need to go check it out! Click HERE!

For this card - I used the King Of The Grill Set from Gina K. Designs. I love this set for guy cards because it's got a lot of the "guy things" covered - you'll see if you click HERE. I even used some of her "guy bling!" Those way cute screw brads!!!

If you didn't read yesterday's post-- we're in DAY TWO of the Gina K. Designs Preview for the release Tuesday night on Splitcoast! Check out Gina's Blog to see some FABULOUS creations using some of the new sets! She also has links to some of the designers who have their own previews too!!! They rock!!

Until tomorrow...

Gina K. Sneak Peak!

OK -- T minus three days until FIVE brand new stamp sets and FOUR single stamps from Gina K. Designs will be unveiled! This release rocks. There is literally something for everyone! I can't say too much you know - you just need to block off some time to stop by the release party on Splitcoast on Tuesday... stay tuned... details later in this post!

My sneak peek is of a new set called Many Happy Re-turns by Rupa Shevde. Wait until you see the other images in this set -FUN!

I really thought about all the elements in this card - from the typed style decorative paper to the screw brads (Gina K. Bling) to the coffee stained paper to the black satin ribbon that reminded me of typewriter ribbon. I used my Spellbinders Nestabilities to create my circle and then left the die on my paper to use as a mask as I sponged on some Distress Ink (Antique Linen). See how the rim of my circle is still ivory? The "paper" in my typewriter is also ivory. I actually colored this with a clear crayon before I sponged on my ink so that I would have a resist effect and leave my paper ivory colored. I used watercolor pencils and a blender pen to color my image. I wanted it to look old and worn and thought coloring it solid black might be too harsh. I like the way it turned out! I added some silver leaf to areas - knobs, labels etc. just to give it a metal feel in spots. I also outlined the left side and bottom of my typewriter with a light beige Tombow marker just to create a slight shadow.

The tag was created thanks to a Marvy punch and I stamped a portion of the saying - on the tag. The full saying is - " You're Just My Type!" but it wouldn't fit all on my tag! So, I only inked up a part of it. I think it works! I also antiqued the tag too.

Here's a close up!
This image actually brought back some memories for me! I was a journalism major in college and-- it's funny how all my professors would chat about their days at either the Detroit Free Press or Chicago Tribune working on these old typewriters - "There was no such thing as a computer!" - they would say! I, of course, have used a typewriter like this - just can't imagine using one under a deadline!

Hope you make time to join us for the preview party! It is always so much fun with challenges, games, giveaways, and more previews!! So mark your calendar for Tuesday - May 20th from 7 to 10 central time on Splitcoast in the Gina. K. Forum! Five new sets, four new single stamps and some of the most fun Bling! Check out Gina's Blog --She'll have daily sneak peaks!

Wanna see some of the other sneak peaks? Check out these ladies!

Barb

Michelle

Melanie

Linsey

Until tomorrow!

Stamp Simply 35!!

Hey all! Friday's pretty much here and that means---Stamp Simply Time! First things first - did you hear the fab news about our own Ms. Sharon Johnson? She's now the part owner of a stamp company! She's a "Flourish!" AND.... in a matter of time (June), she'll have her own Stamp Simply line! How incredibly cool is that? So, to say congrats - why not take part in this week's SUPER easy challenge! All you need to do is create a trio of panels --they can be anywhere on your card - in a line - staggered - diagonal - whatever way your little heart desires! If you upload to Splitcoast - the key word is ssnotime35. Click HERE for Sharon's place and all the details!


I used my new Siberian Iris stamp from Flourishes. Isn't this so pretty? I just love irises so I was a sucker for this stamp! I stamped it three times and embossed it with black detail embossing powder. I used embossing powder because I wanted to paint my flowers and, I don't know about you, but when I paint, I tend to bleed over the lines and it always dulls the black ink so that it just isn't as crisp looking. Embossing prevents that so that the paint sits on the paper better. I painted the image with my Twinkling H20s. LOVE these paints! If you wet your watercolor paper first ( I use Strathmore 140# cold press), the colors just bleed together to blend perfectly. The paints I used were Key Lime and Green Tea for my leaves and Cherry Sorbet and Pink Azalea for my flowers.

Here's a close up! I so wish that you could see the beautiful shimmer. It is just such a pretty paint!

The rest -- is pretty self explanatory. I cut my trio of boxes making sure to cut different parts of the flower out for each "frame." I matted it on a piece of black paper that was 1/8" bigger all the way around and then matted my trio onto a piece of green pearl paper. The saying is also a part of the Siberian Iris set. Add a loopy brad and some sheer green polka dot ribbon, mount it onto a pink card front and you are done!! See how easy this challenge is? What are you waiting for?? :-)

Need a little more inspiration? Check out what the other ladies on the Stamp Simply Team did!

Dee
Tammy
Jennifer
Janine
Becky

I hope you all have exciting weekends in store! I know I will be busy stamping the weekend away!!! Mark your calendars!! Monday night is the preview party for Gina K Designs on Splitcoast. And, all I can say is WOW! Some really, really fun stuff! So, check back for a preview--- or two! :-)


You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."~ Kahlil Gibran

Happy Birthay Mitra!

For those of you that are fans of Impression Obsession - you know Mitra Friant is the mover and shaker of the company. She started it 10 years ago and is a real on-the-go kinda woman! Well, today is her BIRTHDAY! Mitra -- I hope it's the best girl! You rock and so do your stamps!

In honor of her special day, I made Mitra a birthday card with one of my favorite IO stamps. It's called Build-A-Tree. I've been wanting to do a scalloped circle card for a while now, so - out came the Nestabilities! This card was made by folding a piece of purple pearl paper and leaving just a smidge of the fold outside the die. The result is a 4 by 4 circular card! I stamped a couple of the tree branches across my mat and added some flowers (stamped with Violet Mist Vivid ink) and leaves (Olive Vivid Ink) and then added the sentiment in a scalloped circle - I penciled in where the branch should be in order to create an even line from my mat on both sides. Then, I went to town adding flowers, leaves, and who could forget - the birdie! I punched two holes at the top fold of my card and strung some sheer purple ribbon through! VIOLA! Done!

Check out what some of the other IO girls did!!

Tina
Daniela
Deborah
Penny
Laura

Hope you are all having a fabulous day! If you get a chance, go check out the new images at IO - they were just added yesterday! Click HERE for the clear stamps, and HERE for the new rubber! Lots of fun stuff!!

Tomorrow brings another Stamp Simply challenge-- and, of course, it's another fun one! Let's just say, you'll be seeing more than double!! :-)

Until tomorrow!


Edited to add: I forgot to include the source for the sentiments! How could I forget? This is sooooo cool! You can find the main circle "A little birdie." HERE. And check out all the cool things you can add to the center! I used It's Your Birthday. But, other sayings are - You're having a baby, You're getting married, You got a promotion, You have a new nest, You need a little cheering up. The fun thing about IO is that you can get these either wood mounted or cling. Cling is 40% off wood mounted prices! OK! I'll stop enabling now!! (Thanks Nancy for reminding me that I forgot to include these stamps! Guess I shouldn't post before I go to bed!!)


If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." ~ Jack Kornfield