I finally tried!!!

 

Jen over at I{heart}2stamp has weekly sketch challenges called a "Sketch For You To Try" (SFYTT) and I finally got around to doing one.  I used this sketch of hers to create my card.  What do you think?

Stamps:  Eastern Blooms
Paper:  Certainly Celery, Old Olive and Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze Textured CS, Green Tea DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze classic ink, Old Olive marker
Accessories:  blender pen (to remove the Baja Breeze ink from the branches of the image), Silver HPH flower ribbon slider, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, glue dots

FREE Go. Be Creative. Scrapbook Kit!!!

Check out Tam's blog (she's the coordinator of the DT I'm on) for a chance at a FREE scrapbook kit from Go. Be Creative.  You will LOVE this kit and all of its Halloween possibilities.  What's better is the papers work well for non-Halloween occasions too!!  The chipboard houses are just to die for!!!  Go. Enter to Win. Here.

Eastern Blooms with some bling....

 

I LOVED this card by Dannie over at Dannie's Designs and it is a sketch from a past Stampin' Success.  I decided to CASE it but switch the orientation of the card a little and omit the sentiment.  I'd love to hear what you think.

Stamps:  Eastern Blooms
Paper: Baja Breeze CS, Old Olive Textured CS, Green Tea and Baja Breeze Patterns DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze classic ink
Accessories: Filigree Designer Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Baja Breeze striped ribbon, dimensionals

Subscription Update....

As you know, I don't usually post on Sundays, but I wanted to let you know that I don't want anyone to be unhappy or have to change a routine that's working for them, so I re-added the Feedblitz Subscription link in my left-hand sidebar.  Now you can choose - Feedblitz, Feedburner, or something else entirely!! Happy Sunday!

An update...

First of all, if you didn't notice, I've started trying to put the stamp set as a category at the bottom of each post so that over in the right-hand sidebar you can click on a particular stamp set and see what I've uploaded using it.  Hopefully you guys like this.

Secondly, I STILL HAVE NO RESOLUTION TO MY TYPEPAD PICTURE UPLOADING PROBLEM.  I think they have totally forgotten about me, and I'm getting pretty tired of having to upload poor quality pictures.  Trust me - if you could see the originals, you'd be much happier.  Mr. Bear's belly looks a lot more "furry" and has great texture in the original shot....

New Catty Swap #1

  

I hosted a new catty swap with two different groups that I am part of.  This is the first one that they girls have received by now so it's okay to share.  It wasn't quite what I envisioned, but I still really like it.  I had originally thought I would either add glitter to the blooms, or shade the with sponged ink on the stamp prior to stamping, but I didn't end up doing either because I really wanted to use Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Really Rust as my colors and I couldn't picture a good monochromatic color for the Baja Breeze other than stamping it off and adding itself back, and I didn't want to do that.  So...this is what developed.  I am pleased with it and it is my favorite color combo after all, right Daphne?  ;)

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature and Best Yet
Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White CS, Really Rust Textured CS, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circle punches, Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain

If you subscribe to my blog....

If you subscribe to my blog via Feedblitz, I would encourage you to use the new "subscribe via e-mail" box that is in the left side-bar and to delete your subscription via Feedblitz (should be able to do so in one of the e-mails you receive from Feedblitz like the one you received updating you on this post).  I'm moving my data tracking over to Feedburner and just thought it would be nice if my subscribers migrated over there too if they could.  You will still get the timely updates that I have made a new post via Feedburner just as you have with Feedblitz.  Thanks for moving your subscription, if you do!!!

Da Bear...GSG Swap #2

  

 So this is the card I made for my second group of New Catty swaps for the GSG swap group that I'm privileged and honored to be a part of.  I really like this card, and his belly is much better looking in real life.  I hope the swap girls agree!! 

I started making it by stamping the stars on the top portion of the Kiwi Kiss CS in VersaMark and then embossing the stars with Clear detail embossing powder.  Next I cut my strips of Pacific Point Textured CS and adhered them to the card fronts.  After that I stamped "grrreat!" and followed that by stamping and cutting out all of the stars on Kiwi Kiss CS. 

Finally...da bear.....I stamped him in Basic Black classic ink on some watercolor paper and then watercolored him with re-inkers and my aqua painter.  Next, I made his stomach furry.  How did I do that, you ask?  I used the faux suede technique. 

There are several ways to accomplish this technique.  One is by running a piece of CS through a crimper in all sorts of directions until you see the CS start to separate (most visible in the corners) into two layers.  You gently peel the CS apart.  The way I did it was with a bone folder because I didn't want da bear to have ripples.  All you do is cut a piece of CS slightly larger than the size of the image you will be stamping.  Next, you hold it and run your bone folder over it like you would curl ribbon with scissors.  It does slightly curl the CS, but you run it over the bone folder going vertically and horizontally, and on both sides, so the curling lessens and really won't stay anyway.  You'll see the layers of CS start to separate as you break down the fibers of the CS as you "curl" it with your bone folder, and you can gently peel the CS apart.  Sometimes you'll notice that you get to a spot that doesn't want to peel apart.  Stop, and curl the CS a little more in that area and finish peeling.  After doing this for my 14 bear bellies, I stamped da bear's belly on the rough side of the CS so that the "fur" would be on top and then I cut and adhered the belly on to da bear on my watercolor paper.  As easy as that!!! 

I hope you like him, I sure do!!

Stamps:  Under the Stars
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Creamy Caramel and Basic Black CS, Pacific Point Textured CS, Watercolor Paper
Ink:  Basic Black classic ink, Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel re-inkers, VersaMark
Accessories:  Clear detail embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat tool, Aqua Painter, Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain, bone folder

Cupcakes, some glitter, and a SWAP!

 
That's right...you know that my cupcakes wouldn't have been complete without some glitter as the "icing on top" - he he he.  This card is one that I made for the GSG swap group.  I still can't believe I'm in this group with the AMAZING ladies who are part of it.  If you go to the GSG logo in my rightt sidebar, you can check out the blogs of each and every lady in both of the groups.  I had to wait to show you these swaps until the were received by each of the girls participating.  I've had this swap done since two days after signing up for the swap last month, so it's been hard to keep it under wraps!!

Anyway, this card has been sitting in my head since I won this stamp set at Convention.  I was so excited to get it and as soon as I saw the curved phrase "happy birthday to you" I wondered if it would fit inside one of our circle punches.  Well, it does!!!  It fits just right in the 1-3/8" circle punch, and I was able to layer the 1" Regal Rose circle in the middle of it, with the little cupcake image punched out with the 3/4" circle punch.  I wanted to isolate one of the cupcakes to make the medallion really pop.  It was so insane, I saw on Nancy Riley's blog (here) a couple of weeks ago that she too had thought of this.  She layered hers with all circles, and I don't know what sizes though and used a cupcake from the wheel instead.  I never think about using my wheels as focal images, so I will have to try this out.  You should click on the link I gave you and check out her card, it's adorable and I think I like it more than mine!!!

Well, hope you like my card, I'll show you the other swap tomorrow.  I definitely hope all of the ladies in the two groups like my cards.  I was really nervous as this was my first swap with them.

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS, Georgia Peach DSP
Ink:  Basic Black classic ink, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black markers, Pink Pirouette re-inker and blender pen
Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain, 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig

To You & Yours

I really like this Christmas stamp set.  The images are sweet and just right for the holidays.  This card was also for my Stamp Camp and it was an easy one to make.  What do you think about it?

Stamps:  To You & Yours
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss CS and Ski Slope DSP (2008 Holiday Mini Catalog)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch

Remember these cards?

Last year I made these simple but stunning Christmas cards, and this year I jazzed them up the tiniest bit with some glitter.  I love glitter!!!!  Click on the thumbnail below to see it in a larger size.

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Holidays & Wishes
Paper:  Confetti White CS
Ink:  Handsome Hunter
Accessories: Coluzzle (masking template), sponges, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Merry & Bright

 

I was SO happy to see this stamp set in the catalog in July!  I love it.  It is sweet, and simple, and so cute!!!  This card as a fun and easy one to make and my Stamp Campers seemed to enjoy the little snowman.  I worked in a little embossing, and some glitter and this was the result.  Cute, huh?!?

I hope you had a great weekend.  I ended up getting sick on Friday and it just kept getting worse and worse.  I didn't go anywhere on Sunday and Saturday was a huge mess when I did try to go out and run some errands I needed to do.  Oh well...hopefully this week will go better and I'll feel better soon!

Have you started your Christmas cards?  I'm looking for ideas, so if you have a blog and you post one, leave me a comment so I can come check it out!!!

Stamps:  Merry & Bright, To You & Yours (sentiment)
Paper:  Riding Hood Red and Whisper White CS, Ski Slope DSP
Ink:  Basic Black Classic Ink, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Pumpkin Pie markers, Riding Hood Red re-inker, VersaMark
Accessories:  Scallop Square punch, Scallop Edge punch, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Clear detail embossing powder, heat tool, embossing buddy

Have you seen these yet?

 

I'm not sure if you've seen any of the ornaments from this FUN kit that SU! has in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog, but they are SO FUN!!! You can customize the size of your ornament depending on how big you want it.  For this ornament, I used 8 circles.  You could use just 4, on up to whatever even number your little stampin' heart desires!!!  I love the patternedpaper used for this kit - it's SO pretty and perfect for the Christmas tree.  The best part is that you can make over SIXTY FIVE ornaments with this kit, and it's only $19.95.  That's a great deal!!  Also, you can obviously make these without the kit - simply punch a bunch of circles and score them, but these circles come pre-scored so you don't have to figure out how to get an even triangle scored onto your circle to fold the three sides!!!  I know I wouldn't want to do that - especially to make a lot of them!!!  So, add it to your wish-list of items from the Holiday Mini Catalog that you've seen in sneak peeks around the stamping world!!!

PS - the ornaments are pretty easy to put together, but you may want to play with the pieces before you permanently adhere them.  Some people have a harder time conceptualizing the geometry behind the circles, but by no means is it difficult or impossible!!!

Spooky Spider

We got to see this adorable candy jar with the Spooky Spider on it at Convention, and it is ADORABLE!!  If you're into Halloween and all of the cute decorations that you can display at this time of year, then you'll love the Spooky Spider.  It can go on your windows, your walls, your doors, glass jars (as in the picture), wooden boards, whatever you want, and if you want it to be it is temporary.  If you want it to be permanent, then just don't scrape/peel it off!!!  Contact me to order yours today before they're GONE!!

Pumpkin Poop - Take Two!

  

First - still no resolution (pun intended) on the picture issue with Typepad.  I still can't insert my pictures as they are originally saved on my computer after editing them.  So, I have to insert lower-quality (lower resolution) pictures so that the file is small enough to upload.  It's really annoying because you all can't see the difference, but I can, and the original pictures are so much more sharp and detailed.  Oh well....hopefully they'll fix the bug soon!!!

If you remember, I shared with you Kerry's Pumpkin Poop a few posts ago.  Well, I decided it would be a really fun Stamp Camp project, so this is mine.  You can click on the thumbnail to the left to see it up-close.  I ran out of the polka-dot ribbon that my guests used, so mine has some of the gingham ribbon that is SU!'s on it and I wish I had thought of it first instead of using the Wally-World B&W polka-dot ribbon.  I think the grosgrain is just right for this little treat.  I also wanted to incorporate the SU!'s EXCLUSIVE Top Note Bigz Die because I LOVE IT and why not!?!?!  Hope you like it!!!

Stamps:  Batty for You
Paper:  Basic Black, Summer Sun, Only Orange and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Only Orange and Basic Black markers
Accessories:  1-3/4" circle punch, scallop circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch, blackgingham ribbon, Top Note Bigz die, plastic bag, stapler, dimensionals

More Nursery Necessities....

 

Well, you probably guessed that along with making some baby boy cards, I had to make some baby girl cards for my squadron to give to families with new baby girls.  So....here is the baby girl card that I made.  Both this card and the baby boy one that I made I wanted to keep simple so that I could mass produce them for the squadron.  Simple is my style though, so I like them both anyway!!  I'm looking forward to making a bunch of cards to have on hand for myself using this set and hope to post them for you (and to get to stamp!!) here.  Have a great evening!!!

Stamps:  Nursery Necessities
Paper:  Pink Pirouette and Whisper White CS, Georgia Peach DSP
Ink:  Pink Pirouette and Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories:  Striped Grosgrain in Pink Pirouette

Nursery Necessities really is a necessity!!!

  

Well, I finally got this stamp set and don't know why I waited so long!!  It is definitely going to be my go-to new baby stamp set.  I had to make some baby cards for our squadron to give to some families who were recently blessed with new additions to their families.  I LOVE this card!!  I saw one on SCS with the little waves by InkyFingrz and you can see it here.  Her waves inspired me to do what I did with mine.  I'd love to hear what you think!!  I've got a VERY busy next couple of days with my first Stamp Camp since moving from Del Rio in FEBRUARY!!!!  So - I will try to get some posts up, but I can't promise.  I have been working so much on shares and can't show them just yet, that I haven't had time to make much else.  I do have 2 other cards to share, so you'll at least get to see those :)  Take care, and have a great night!!!

Stamps:  Nursery Necessities
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue and Whisper White CS
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, and Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories:  Scallop Scissors, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals

So Shelli

I realized that even though I was SO EXCITED about Shelli Gardner's new blog after Convention that I immediately added it in my sidebar (it's in the SU! section), I didn't tell you about it!!!  Shelli, is the co-founder and current owner of SU! and she created her own blog and she even has fun challenges on it!!  I just noticed today that the winners SHE picks in her challenges get a FREE STAMP SET from SU!!!!!!  So, go on over to So Shelli and check her fun blog out.  You can see her challenges here.  What are you waiting for?!?!?

PS - after we get back from gymnastics today I will upload some pics and share a card with you.  Take care!!!

Another Notecard

I was hoping to get a picture to upload normally rather than having to save it "for web" since that reduces the image quality, but I couldn't.  Add that with the really poor lighting I had - it got cloudy - and these are the results (and Saturday's picture).  Here are two more of the cards that were in the little note card set I made for the OSC function, along with the clear box  I packaged them in.  There were 10 note cards and envelopes, and the butterfly was stamped on the envelopes (5 in Baja Breeze and 5 in Chocolate Chip).  There were 5 Baja Breeze Upsy Daisy stamped cards and 5 Kiwi Kiss Upsy Daisy Stamped cards.  These two are a representation of the basic layout.  I altered the sentiments and as in Saturday's post I even positioned the flowers a little higher or lower depending on how/where I stamped the sentiment.  I hope that whoever won them likes them!!!

I've included a close-up of the ribbon which still isn't very good, that shows the stamping I did on the actual ribbon itself since the poor lighting makes it almost invisible.









For Cards:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Fresh Cuts
Paper:  Whisper White CS, Green Tea DSP
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip classic inks, White StazOn
Accessories:  Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

For box:
Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Paper:  Whisper White CS, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze Textured CS, Green Tea DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze classic ink
Accessories:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, clear box from Papertrey Ink

Check it out!

Still no news on uploading my pictures regularly, but over at Go. Be Creative. there's a cool new feature where you can subscribe to the GBC mailing list to get great info on "upcoming kits, contests, and crops...and soak up all the creative goodness that is our monthly newsletter!"

Click HERE to be taken to the mailing list subscription page!!  Go. Subscribe.

Here is a picture of what the GBC October kit looks like - just in time for Halloween!!!  Be sure to order today by going here to sign up for the kit club.  There are lots of options from one month, all the way up to 12 and if you find out that you have an upcoming kit then you can defer that month.  It's GREAT!!  I think this kit for October will actually be pretty versatile too - not just for use with Halloween projects.  Just wait until you see what I make for my GBC DT projects with it!!! :)

Test Card Upload

 

Sorry about the poor quality of this picture. I will explain...This card is part of a gift set that I will be featuring over the next couple of days.  I may have found the solution to the problem of picture uploading, at least temporarily.  This card was my first test at saving my pictures a second time "for web".  It did upload, but the quality is poor and it inserts itself HUGE into the post and I have to try to keep the ratio correct as I downsize it.  This is obnoxious and it's going to DOUBLE the amount of picture files I have on my computer if I have to do it this way.  If this is the only answer and Typepad can't figure out why things have changed since the upgrade, I WILL be leaving Typepad.  I have a hard enough time getting pictures off of my computer and freeing up space as it is - much less having to save it once regularly after editing and then again "for web" - 2 versions of every picture is just too much!!! 

Anyway, hopefully you enjoy this card.  I vaguely remember seeing something with similar lines at Convention, so know that my inspiration came from something I saw, but I didn't get a pic of that card so this is what my memory inspired me to create.  The cards in the gift set are very similar as you will see in the coming days.  I made it as an item for the Officer's Spouses Club "Make It, Bake It, Grow It" fund-raiser.  I hope that whoever got the set enjoys it!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Pocket Silhouettes, Fresh Cuts
Paper:  Whisper White CS, Green Tea DSP
Ink:  White StazOn, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

another test

   

I am trying to show Typepad that while I don't know all of the technical lingo, or exactly how to describe in detail what I do to create my posts, I DO know how to get things to work and OBVIOUSLY something is not right on Typepad's end.  This is a picture that I uploaded HERE ALREADY - as in it already was uploaded by Typepad in the past - and as you can see, I couldn't upload it today unless I saved it "for web" first, so I know that the size is NOT the problem if I could upload it before but not now.  UNLESS they made the upgraded version of Typepad not meet the same performance levels as the previous version.  In which case, that is unjust to those of us that paid for a service that functioned a certain way and now it doesn't.  I don't understand why this isn't figured out.  I know, I know, I am getting so frustrated and am just trying to stay nice about it.  I am looking into another host, but to do it through her it's $250 right off the bat and then $100 every year.  While I love blogging and sharing with my customers and friends, I don't make enough money to justify paying that much for a blog.  I may just quit blogging.  I can just visit everyone else's and if this doesn't get resolved, I will be very vocal about it because while Typepad is a big company and they can just tell me "tough luck" and not make it right, I can do all that is possible to let others know how I was treated.  I certainly hope that my lack of hearing from the "help team" and the fact that they don't try to do a "real-time" chat with you to get on the same page instead of going back and forth for DAYS doesn't mean that it can't be fixed.  Okay, okay...I'll breath and be nice again.  I'm sure that the Typepad people are all nice in real life - they're just not helping me fix this so I'm in a bad mood.  All of their answers to what "must be" the problem are not right, they're looking very superficially at this problem.   Ranting done. 

I am SO upset....

The latest word from typepad is that my files are too large.  Well, I KNOW that that is not true because I have made them smaller and the pictures will still not upload, and additionally, until three days ago, I could upload any and every picture and now sometimes I can upload one, and then later I can't upload THE EXACT SAME PICTURE.  Granted, the one file I saved as "for web" worked, but the quality is poor and if it had been that only this option worked when I looked into buying Typepad services, I WOULD NOT have gone with Typepad.  I absolutely do not believe that it is coincidence that this has been happening ONLY since my blog was "upgraded".  I also KNOW that I have not changed the way I take my photographs, upload them to my computer, edit them in Photoshop, OR how I save them.  So....someone please tell me how it is the size of the picture when everything is the same as it always has been except for the fact that Typepad has upgraded my blog?!?!?  The inevitable is about to occur...I think that I am going to have to move my blog again.  This frustrates me to no end as I have just finally gotten situated over here at Typepad and have this blog address out there in so many places, and now it appears it will have to change.  Typepad will have a little bit of time to work on this, but if I make the decision to move and have to pay someone else for their services, I won't/can't come back to Typepad.  Any suggestions out there?  Do ANY of you have Typepad and HAVE BEEN UPGRADED?  It tells you at the top of your screen when you're at your blog's home page where you edit it.  I can't imagine it's just me having this problem.  I wish Typepad would tell me that.  I don't know what to do?  I've PAID for Typepad and can't use it.  What do I do?  Typepad, are you out there?  Do you care?  Why can't you fix this?!?!?!  It is  NOT me, and I shouldn't have to save files in a special way just to post them on my blog.  That is not how it was when I signed up for Typepad and such a drastic change in procedures should not occur for paying members.  The fact that Typepad freezes up every five seconds doesn't help either.  It doesn't really matter if pictures won't upload if I can't even type anything.  Funny...it's not happening now, but I guess it lets me get this post up.  I was SO pleased with Typepad, and now I woudn't recommend it to anyone.  We'll see if that changes with a FIX for the problem instead of just telling me it's the picture size when that doesn't actually allow me to upload every picture and it freezes up my computer!!!

Test

This is my TWELFTH TIME trying to upload this card.  Somehow this card uploads today and it didn't yesterday.  That's good, right?!?!  The problem is that Typepad keeps freezing up and I even set it to "Lite Editor" in case I have a slow computer - which I don't - we have FIoS Internet and it is SUPER FAST. 

I will try to upload the box that we made to go with the card.  Well, it wouldn't let me upload the box.  I'm sorry!!  I will try later - if I'm still a Typepad user!!!!  I'm basically trying to post throughout the day to see if things are working, so bear with me!!  I discovered that how I usually tell you to click on the card for the picture close-up doesn't work right.  You can't scroll and see the whole thing so it appears that that function is not working properly either.

 

Stamps:  Eastern Blooms, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Whisper White CS and Envelope
Ink:  Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

No news....

In this case, that's not good news.  I will not have any posts for you in the near future because I haven't been able to find any other pictures that I can upload.  I am sorry, and I hope to get this resolved.  I may be moving my blog so keep your eyes peeled for that.  I also hope that Typepad will make this right whether I have to move my blog or not.  Have a great weekend, and definitely subscribe to my blog via the feedblitz link in the sidebar or some other means so that as this problem is worked through you will be the first to know of its resolution (moving to a new host, or problem fixed).  I should add that I will be very sad if I have to move from Typepad.  I LOVE the look of my blog and the ease with which I USED to be able to work with the Typepad posting program. 

Take care!!!

Still frustrating....

I'm discovering now that some pictures will upload (about 10% of the ones I have on my computer) but there is a new problem with the other 90%.  They either won't upload and say that that file isn't valid, or they appear to upload but then where the picture should be is a huge outline of the shape of the picture along with a little box with a red "x" in it and the picture's file name beside that.  Any clues/help out there?  This is not good....  I searched through the pictures and came up with this one.  I uploaded it once and then Typepad froze.  My cursor started blinking extremely rapidly and would move, but it wouldn't click on anything and I couldn't change the screen.  I had to Ctrl + Alt + Delete the program and re-type it for you after opening Typepad back up and starting from scratch.  The upgrade sure sounds great, but it's definitely not working great!!!

Here's today's WOW swap card by Desa Dugas - it's actually a gift card holder and as I'm uploading it, I'm hoping that the picture of the cute inside will upload too.

 

Here's the inside:

Well...sorry - that picture got a "Sorry, this file isn't valid." Message like I mentioned above.  I'm truly sorry, but I wanted to post something for you.  Once again, I will add the picture once this is all straightened out.  Cross your fingers for me that it WILL get fixed.

Yeah - a Little Bit, at Least....

Well, I found ONE picture that I am able to upload. I have no idea what is different about it that allows it to be uploaded.  The ironic thing is that I took a picture of this card up-close to show the pretty glitter on that main tree image, and that photo won't upload.  It's CRAZY!!!  Typepad is trying to figure it out for me, and I sure hope they do!!!

As for the card, it was pointed out to me by a dear friend that I never showed the rest of the WOW swaps I got at Convention, so here is one!!  I had planned to show more, but I can't upload them, but hopefully soon I can.  When I am able to upload as normal, I will add that close-up shot into this post.  The glitter really is pretty when it catches the light. 

I have been working this last week and the week prior on swaps of my own but I can't show you them until the groups receive them.  So...here is this swap by Julie Wadlinger:

Pumpkin Poop

Since I can't post any pics yet, I thought I would share with you an ADORABLE project from a fellow blogger.  She made some Pumpkin Poop and you have to go check it out.  It's an easily replicated project and sure to bring smiles to the recipients.  Enjoy!!!

Check out Kerry's (Kerry's Paper Crafts) blog post HERE.

Typepad is currently trying to figure out what is going on with my inability to post pictures and hopefully it will be resolved soon.  Take care!!

STILL no help from Typepad

Well, I still can't upload pictures.  If any of you have Typepad, has your site been upgraded?  They're doing them in batches.  If it has, are you not having problems uploading pictures?  Mine are saved the same way I always have, and based on posts just days ago you can see that I've not had problems before uploading a .jpg (jpeg) file.  This STINKS!!!

First gripe about Typepad

Typepad got back to me with a response of how to fix my problem.  The problem is that their solution was obviously not what is causing the problem because it was an easy to follow solution from them, and it didn't fix the problem. 

When I try to upload any picture I get this "sweet" little message that says, "Sorry, this file doesn't look valid."  It's a bunch of GARBAGE!!!  I just got told the other day that my Typepad had been upgraded (yesterday, actually) and as you can see, ever since I haven't been able to upload any photos. Please bear with me through this as I have NO IDEA how to fix the problem and Typepad is not responding.  Do any of you know what I can do?  I am so frustrated, and as you may know, Typepad is not free -  I pay for this blog - and I can't use it for my intended purpose.

If you do have help for me, know that I am GREATLY appreciative!!!!

Hmmm....

Well, this little "picture" did upload, but I actually copied and pasted it.  I wonder if I can do that with pictures?  I'm off to try it to get a "real" post up here for you guys.  But...please read below!! :)

Marie McClellan (302) 735-1673 mariemc01@gmail.com http://www.mariemcclellan.stampinup.net

Uggh!!!

2 items of "news" for you. 

First - I have a "help ticket" in with Typepad because they recently upgraded our accounts and I have not been able to upload any of my actual pictures into posts.  It's weird.  Yesterday I uploaded that snipped about on-line ordering and it's a picture, but not one of my own so maybe that''s why?  I hope to have an answer soon.  I'm going to try to upload my on-line ordering flyer - another picture not of my own - so we'll see if it will still upload.

Second - on-line ordering is NOT WORKING right now for any demonstrator's websites and demonstrators are unable to place any customer orders right now either.  The company that runs the SU! ordering system is down and SU! has no control over that.  I just thought I would let you know.  I guess keep checking back in with our on-line ordering sites to see if it is back up.  I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

***Those of you that placed orders yesterday, they're good to go!!!!

ETA (11:39 AM EST): 

OEX, Online Ordering, and Payment Processing Back Up
September 10, 2008

This morning our payment vendor experienced an outage throughout the United States and was unable to process payments for a variety of customers. As of now the ordering systems are WORKING.  Customers can use the NEW Online Ordering payment processing through my DBWS.  See the link to my site in the right sidebar.

Shares GALORE!!!

THIS POST TO REMAIN AT THE TOP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 16TH SO SEE BELOW FOR NEW POSTS!!!!!

Do you want some of SU!'s accessories but perhaps you don't want as many as come in a package?  Well, then my shares are just right for you!!  My customers took a survey a few months ago and based on the results the following are the shares we're doing.  If you would like more information (it was a long e-mail to explain all of the amounts and costs, etc.) I will e-mail it to you rather than having a huge post here.  I need to know by September 16th so I can inform the participants of their cost based on what shipping will be necessary and what shares filled.  My e-mail is mariemc01@gmail.com and the shares I'm offering are the following:

Chipboard - Something Seasonal, Essentials, Loads of Letters (pgs 180-181 in the IB&C)

Rhinestone Brads - Square/Circle in Fire/Ice (pg 185 in the IB&C)

ALL of the SU! Buttons Available (pg 187 in the IB&C)

Clips Assortment - they come in the wire clip, small library clip and wide clip (pg 184 in the IB&C)

Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion Too (pg 182 in the IB&C)

ALL of the Simply Scrappin' Kits (pgs 172-175 in the IB&C)

I will allow combining of shipping - which makes the shares cost even less if you buy more than one.

Online Ordering is HERE!!!

It's here!!!!  You can now order SU! products anytime you like!!! You simply go to your SU! demonstrator's business website (if they don't have one, then you can still get there via the SU! website, but you will pay slightly more) and you can place an order that she will get the credit for and you can enjoy!!!!

This program will be fully operational at 1:00 pm MST and if you are my customer or you don't have a demonstrator, you can go to http://mariemcclellan.stampinup.net to place your order after 1:00 pm MST.  I am so excited about this feature and I already love my SU! website for all of the other things it can share with you.  Go to my website to see what I have going on in my calendar of SU! events, there is a gallery there where you can view SU! projects, you can link to the on-line catalogs and you can also view all of the promotions either myself or SU! are currently offering.  Go on, check it out now just to get familiar with the site and then you can order to your heart's content at 1:00 pm MST!!!!

I hope you're as excited as I am, and don't worry, all of your credit card information is as secure as it is with an online shopping experience that you might have at Amazon.com or any of your other favorite on-line stores.  You also will still earn HOSTESS BENEFITS from online personal orders. You can't place workshop orders on-line, but if your own order reaches the level required to earn free SU! stamps and other products, you will still receive them the same as you would if you e-mailed me your order.  Just make sure to go to MY website to place your order if you are my customer, to get these benefits.  When you don't order through me (or your demonstrator) you are not eligible for hostess benefits and you pay more.

Have a great day!!!

IC144 - Porcupine Inspiration

So, some of you may have already seen this card on SCS - I forgot to post it on here.  Oops!!  I thought that the Inspiration Challenge on Saturday was too fun to pass up and this card started forming in my head pretty quickly after I saw the little porcupine in the picture.  If you click on the picture with him in it to the left it will get larger and you can see him and the patterns, color and textures I drew from a little better.  I blurred all of the other animals to just focus on him, but if you go to IC144 then you can click on the thumbnails in that post and see all of the cute animals that were our inspiration for this week.

 

Stamps:  NONE!!
Paper:  Kraft, Bashful Blue and Whisper White CS, Bella Rose DSP (Chocolate Chip scalloped circle), Spring Showers DSP (retired)
Ink:  NONE!!
Accessories:  Hidden Garden Chocolate Chip Rub-on, Seasonal Sayings Chocolate Chip Rub-on (Hostess Level III bundle item), Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, crochet thread, Scallop Edge punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, dimensionals

Easy Peasy and Pink!!!

This little card was so quick and easy to make!! I used my fun Georgia Peach DSP and my little bloom Sizzlets that came with my SU! Big Shot starter kit.  I ran the DSP through the Big Shot and presto!  Two little flowers that I used on top of a scallop circle punched piece of Regal Rose CS to create my focal image.  I then put a strip of the Georgia Peach DSP onto a little 3x3 note-card, added my layered flower, added some Dazzling Diamonds, stamped the sentiment from Short & Sweet, and my card was finished.  Took much less than 5 minutes to make, and making 10 of them was no problem!!  This card, too, went to my friend who hostessed a workshop.  Yesterday's post contains the first - more elaborate - card.  Hope this quick and easy card can be of inspiration to you when you need just such a card. Isn't it cute?!!?

Stamps:  Short & Sweet, Seasonal Icons (Hostess Level III Holiday Happenings Bundle - flower on envelope)
Ink:  Regal Rose Classic Ink
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Whisper White CS, Georgia Peach DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot and Sizzlet (Birds & Blooms), Scallop Circle punch, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Award Time....

So, I have been given really sweet awards by my fellow bloggers and to be honest I just have been so busy and scheduling posts out so far in advance (shhhh....don't tell!!) that I haven't played.  Well, I thought I would try to be better about that and Hilary from over at Hilary Scraps gave me this award:

Well, I will play but don't want any of the people I tag to feel obligated or anything - I'm sure some or even all of them have already been given this award and/or decided to pass it on or not.  I just like this one because it is making me take an extra second to leave more than just a comment on SOME of my favorite blogs.

Here are the rules:
(1) The winner can put the logo on their blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated (I may not follow this rule - I feel cheesy when I do this).

1.  Beate - I just love her sketches and the talent that she possess in her little finger is more than I have in my whole body.  She is one amazing lady.
2.  Nancy Morgan - She makes such fun projects and I love her taste in colors and how she layers on her cards.  She's got an adorable new puppy too ;)
3.  Nancy Riley - I enjoy checking Nancy's blog in my Google reader when she updates.  She is so careful in her crafting that the layers are perfect and everything looks gorgeous.
4.  Laura - her sense of balance and style is amazing.  I love how she ties all of the elements of her cards in together so well.  Gorgeous stuff!
5.  Laura - I just love her fun style and reading her stories about work (she's a SOLDIER!!) and dating.  I'm amazed she finds the time to stamp and make such great cards!!!
6.  Becky - Her clean and simple style is so AWESOME!  I love it and enjoy checking in on her blog with google reader.  I am excited to be able to swap with her too!!
7.  Kristina - I don't think there has been anything that Kristina has made that I haven't LOVED. Her style is exactly how I dream mine to be - maybe someday!!!

As I said, I don't expect any of these ladies to play - they can if they want.  To be honest, I felt like I could have listed another hundred blogs, at least, but I had to stop somewhere and figured I'd follow the rules :)  To see more blogs I love, check out my sidebar.

A fave of mine....

I'm sorry, but I think that this card is GORGEOUS!!!  It is a CASE of one of the cards in the catty.  I changed several things:  the colors, the size of the squares, the horizontal element at the very bottom, the ribbon tied on the left is just one piece of fiber, the punch I used on the Whisper White layer, the brad is the element I added to that layer, and I didn't use bleach (as it appears in the catty) - rather I used my White StazOn.  In the pic it's a little hard to see the image stamped on the Baja Breeze, but it's there!! ;)  I LOVE this card, and I made it as a goody to give (along with the card you'll see tomorrow) to a friend who hostessed a workshop.  She doesn't live near me anymore so since her friends couldn't come and stamp I figured I could at least do some stamping FOR them.  I like to show levels of stamping in the samples I give people.  This one was fairly time consuming with the paper piercing, distressing the edges, dyeing the ribbon, etc.  It's not really an "easy" card, but it's not too hard either.  Maybe a moderate level.  Well, tomorrow's card was SUPER easy, but I think it turned out super cute.  You should be able to notice the difference though.  Hope you like this one!!!

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze (strip) Textured CS, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss and Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, White StazOn
Accessories:  Silver brad, Scallop Square punch, White Taffeta ribbon (dyed w/ Baja Breeze ink), Paper Piercing Tool and Template

Stamps in the Mail

THIS SESSION OF STAMPS IN THE MAIL IS CLOSED TO NEW PARTICIPANTS.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FUTURE OFFERINGS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITH FUTURE DATES.  THANKS!!

I am doing a Stamps in the Mail program and am so excited about it!! I've chosen to do it from September-November, and you commit to $40 a month for those three months.  You will receive not only the stamps and accessories that you purchase, but ALL of the projects will have instructions.  Each card will have it's own template so that you can re-make it with the supplies you purchased that month or with all different colors and stamps/accessories for a totally different look.  It will be super fun and the snippet above is just to get you excited about stamping and all the possibilities of Stamps in the Mail!!

If you are interested in participating I need to know by September 10th, please e-mail me at mariemc01@gmail.com  I will send you complete details about the program.  Get a friend to do it with you (or friendS) so that you can get together and so some stamping with all of the supplies and instructions right at your fingertips.  I hope to hear from you - I'm excited to share my love of stamps and teaching through this Stamps in the Mail program!

Treat Bag

I used same concept as the gift bag that we made as a Make & Take at Convention to make this little treat bag.  It actually accompanied this card as a thank you to some friends.  I put some warm brownies in Saran wrap in the treat bag and was pleased with how the bag went so well with the card.  I was surprised to find out that the wife in the family that we gave it to likes to stamp and I guess the bag and card were a give-away that I am a SU! demonstrator.  How fun to find people in my new neighborhood that like to stamp!!!  Anyway, enjoy!!

Stamps:  Say it With Scallops
Paper:  Maine Blueberry DSP, Not Quite Navy and Bashful Blue CS
Ink:  Not Quite Navy classic ink
Accessories:  Ribbon from last catty ribbon pack - can't think of the name - it resembles the new Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Double-Stitched satin ribbon in the current catty, medium white gift bag

Lots of Beads

I thought I would have some fun with my Pink bead duo that I finally decided to order.  I'm such an easy-sell. I loved what SU! had us do on our Make & Takes with the orange beads from the orange bead duo (we put them in the center of flowers and speaking of Convention - I'll finally post the 2nd group of our M&T's for those of you who asked soon!) so I bought two of the bead duos.  Well, some sticky strip and Crystal Effects later, and this is the card I made.  Sorry for how dark that Rose Red CS looks - it's not that dark IRL.

I used my new SU! Big Shot and one of the Sizzlets included in the Big Shot starter kit from SU! for several of the elements on this card.  I die-cut the two little flowers and the chipboard (rather - the sheet from the inside of one of our DSP packages) that they're adhered to in about 20 seconds from the beginning of finding the parts needed to make them to turning them out of the Big Shot.  I simply glued the DSP to the "chipboard" flowers the same size and tah-dah!  I also used the Top Note Bigz Die to make the Whisper White portion of the card.  I cut the shape in half and adhered it to my card.

After making the flowers I put some CE on the center of the small one and added some beads.  I used my sticky strip to add beads to a strip on the card at the base of the Top Note on top of the piece of layered So Saffron and Rose Red CS.  The patterned paper I used is the Georgia Peach DSP.  I am really enjoying all of my new DSP's.  SU! did an excellent job with all of the new DSP's - the variety is so vast that no matter your style you'll find some papers that you love.  I love them ALL!!!  Do you?!?!  I hope you like this close-up.

Take care!

 

Stamps:  Flight of the Butterfly
Paper:  So Saffron, Rose Red and Whisper White CS, Georgia Peach DSP
Ink:  Rose Red classic Ink, White StazOn
Accessories:  Pink Bead Duo, Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Birds & Blossoms Sizzlet, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects, Cardboard from back of DSP package

More Cone-Flowers

This time I tried to make my cone-flowers look like Lazy Susans.  I am a huge sunflower fan, so these cone-flowers are so fun for me to make in the "traditional" yellow and brown.  I hope you like them!!!

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)
Paper:  Old Olive Textured CS, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla CS
Ink:  VersaMark, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels (Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive), Paper Piercing Tool and Template

Country Apple Reveal

Over at Go. Be Creative. today (the 1st) is always the big reveal of the DT work with that months kit.  Today is no exception, except I scheduled this post so that I can be with my daughter and celebrate her birthday but you don't have to miss the projects.  Go to GBC to see all the other DT work with this kit, and in the Message Board you will be greeted by a ton of fun new friends, or just go there to check out (and purchase) the Country Apple kit.

Here is a (sagging - sorry) 12 x 12 I made to put a photo of my fun friends I saw/met at the SU! Convention this year.  A close-up follows to show you those gorgeous brads.  I didn't take the backing off of the 3 tags on the right half of them so that I can slip a picture under them and then remove the backing and permanently adhere them (they're self-adhering chipboard tags) on top of the picture.

Next is a fun little (quick and easy) refrigerator frame that I made to put a picture of my DD doing gymnastics in.  I wanted a picture of her being a cute little gymnast on the fridge and figured this would be a nice way to showcase her.

Here's a fun little 6x6 that I made to send to Emma's teacher last year.  We miss Miss Peggy SO MUCH.  Emma just blossomed and thrived in her classroom and so far this year has been disappointing at our new school.  Hopefully time will tell and it will improve.  The ruler twill was just perfect I thought for a LO for a teacher.  I did some sewing on this page and there is a close-up of that after the main picture.

Here is a fun sketch book that I altered.  I've been wanting a book to carry around and draw my sketches in as I come up with them, and to jot down inspiring color combos.  So, here it is. I made a bookmark for it out of some Taffeta ribbon, one of the gorgeous flowers in the kit and one of the giant brads.  As for the letters on the book, if you'll notice on the page above I had already used one "o" and the packages of letters only come with one of each letter and 2 of each vowel.  So, I traced my remaining "o" 3 times on to some Cs and cut them out, layered them, and colored them with my Chocolate Chip marker just like I did the actual chipboard letters and I think it's pretty darn close!!!  I'm sure if you look really hard you can tell which one I made, but hopefully not if you don't.  A close-up of the bookmark is after the picture of the whole sketch book.  Oh, and the lines inside the sketch book are the same exact color green as is on the paper.  It's PERFECT!! :)

This next photo is of an 8x8 page I made for...MYSELF!! I've not done this yet, and since I don't have a picture of myself that I like enough to put on there, it's blank for now.  I took some 3/8" strips of paper from the kit and ran them through my label maker and then sponged a little white ink on there to make the letters really pop off of the paper.  It's a fun way to use a label maker and make sure that it matches your project perfectly.  Again, an up-close follows the main picture.

Last, but not least, is a fun little bookmark that I made.  The two pictures are of each side, they're not two different bookmarks.  Did I say how much I LOVE the gorgeous brads in the kit?!?!  That ribbon is not in the kit, it's SU! Chocolate Chip 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon.  Isn't it too cute?!?!

Hope you liked the projects!! I still have some cards up my sleeve with this kit.  The papers in it are so gorgeous I can't let any of them sit unused!!!  Have a great day and enjoy the holiday!!!