Idea Book CASE

 You know, I can't say it enough to my customers and fellow stampers how much I truly do love the Idea Book & Catalog for the part of it that is an Idea Book.  I am in a swap that a good friend is hosting on SCS that is a Catty "Sort Of" swap.  After making my swap card based on the 3x6 card using Heartfelt Thanks on page 84, I came up with this variation.  Tomorrow's card was also inspired by it, but changed even more.  In the Catty "Sort Of" swap you are to change only the colors and embellishments, but keep the stamp sets used and the placement of the images exactly the same.  The card I chose to CASE used rub-ons and we were allowed to swap out those for a stamped image since it's not reasonable to buy 10 pkgs of rub-ons to get ten of the same image.  So...as I said, this card was inspired by the one I CASED but as you can see from the picture in the catty on page 84 it's not exactly the same.  My swap card is much more similar but in different colors.  Now that you're thoroughly confused, you'll just have to see Monday's post for the second card and my swap card will be posted once everyone has received theirs. 

I promise the paper piercing shows up perfectly in real life, and so does the word "heartfelt"  I've been lazy lately and haven't been using my photo tent to take my pics.  Oh, and do you see that lovely "mat" that is under my card???  I LOVE it!!!

I hope you're having a great day and as always, I appreciate you checking in on me so much and we'll see you back here on Monday!!!

Stamps:  Heartfelt Thanks, Thank You Kindly
Paper:Chocolate Chip CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink, Whisper White craft ink
Accessories:  White embossing powder and heat tool, Piercing Tool and Template, Felt Fusion Too flower in Baja Breeze, Paper Pretties Kit ivory half-pearl, Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Another go at the Card Patterns Sketch...

 

 and YET ANOTHER Valentine!!! I've never made this many Valentine's cards in a year before!!! Now to figure out who to give them all to?!?!  I used the first-ever sketch posted over at Card Patterns for this card, as with Wednesday's card.  I was really liking the combo fo the Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Kraft colors, so I used them again.  I'm loving this sketch from Card Patterns!!  What do you think?  I am happy with this card - I like the different layers to the medallion made with that single stamped image (on three different colors of CS and then individually cut out).

Have a great day!!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Love You Much
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kraft and Chocolate Chip CS, Riding Hood Red Patterns DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red classic ink
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals 

Great Swaps Girls Challenge #13

 

I feel so lucky to be a part of both of the Great Swaps Girls groups and was excited when Kristen posted the first challenge of 2009!!  You can check out GSGC13 HERE and hopefully you will see how the design on the jacket inspired me.  The sketch for this card came from the SCS Card Sketch Challenge for this week.  You can check out SCS SC213 HERE. 

I used the Vanilla base of the jacket as my background color - instead of my usual Whisper White base.  I also mimicked the shading of the flowers on mine, but it's kind of hard to tell in the photo of my card.  I used my Apricot Appeal marker and a Really Rust re-inker and my Aqua Painter to color the flowers and then I painted over them with my Shimmerz "Gold Glimmer Blingz" paint to add some shine. 

 Boy, let me tell you - Shimmerz is like liquid glitter...I'm IN LOVE!!!!!  It's easy to put exactly where you want, so much less messy than glitter, and oh, so sparkly!! I tried to get a good shot of the Gold Glimmer Blingz and how not only did I paint it on the flowers and buds, but also on the piece of Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP that is layered behind the main image.  Can you see it?  A little bit of Shimmerz goes a LONG way!!!   Did I mention that I love Shimmerz?!?!?  I got three colors of Shimmerz: Gold Glimmer and Pixie Dust Blingz and Angel Wings Shimmerz.  I can't wait to use the other two colors!!  If you're interested in checking out Shimmerz, check out THIS post I made about them previously.

Well, I hope you enjoy my card and have a wonderful day!!

Stamps:  Sweet Stems, Sincere Salutations, Best Yet
Paper: Very Vanilla and Kraft CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP, Bella Birds DSP
Ink:  Timber Brown StazOn, Really Rust classic ink re-inker, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Old Olive and Summer Sun markers
Accessories:  Designer Label and Scallop Edge Punches, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Shimmerz Gold Glimmer Blingz pain, Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals, paint brush

New Sketch Blog

 

 I found a new card sketch blog called Card Patterns and I made this card using their very first sketch.  I have another to share with you tomorrow.  It was a fun sketch to work with and I look forward to playing along in more sketches of theirs in the future!!  You can see the card that I made to apply to their Design Team here (and I made it!!!! Woo hoo!!!!).

You can't really see it - even in the close-up it's hard to spot, but there's a tiny little clear crystal in the center of the flower.  Also, let me tell you, I LOVE how the "LOVE" looks cut out, but it was VERY tedious - especially doing the heart and leaves - but the result was so worth it!!!

All Supplies SU! Unless Otherwise Noted

Stamps:  Love You Much
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Kraft CS, Candy Lane DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Clear adhesive-backed Crystal (?? from Michael's), Hobby Blade and cutting mat, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have YOU signed up for Stamps in the Mail?!?!? 

My kids are SO happy!

 

We've been hoping for some snow pretty much since moving here to Delaware this summer ;)  We only got one snowfall in Texas while we lived there and we were lucky enough to be visiting my family 1-2 times when it snowed there. So, my kids have seen snow, but this is only the second time it has snowed where WE live.  It's a light coat of snow, and there will be a little more today and by tomorrow it will stop, but they're so excited. They wanted to play outside before going to school this morning, and I promised that we would later today after school, lunch, the baby's nap, etc.  Anyway - stay tuned tomorrow for a card!!  Have a great day and wherever you are, keep warm!!  There is some crazy weather out there that we've seen on the news!  The picture above is from our front door.

How 'bout them apples?

 

 So, I know they're GIGANTIC apples....proportionally speaking, but I thought using little red brads (actually the "Ruby Red" brads from the Earth Elements assortment of brads) would look cute and I think it does - even if they would be bigger than your head if this was a real tree.  In fact, I think they would almost be as big as a person if this was a real tree!!  Anyway, I digress - but the big apples kinda crack me up.....  It's a simple card but I think will make a really cute one for my DD's teacher at some point this year.  I'm sure I'll find something to thank her for at some point...I mean, she only teaches my daughter!!!  ;)  Once again though, you'll have to bear with me criticizing my own creation.  I wish I had put the Riding Hood Red scalloped strip on the other side of the image and that I had scooted my stamped sentiment about a quarter-inch to the right.  Oh well...I still think it's a cute, clean and simple card. 

Have a great day - and go make some ginormous apple trees!!! ;) 

Stamps:  Trendy Trees
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories: SU! Earth Elements brads (Ruby Red), Scallop Edge punch, Piercing Tool and Template, Valet Ribbon Originals Chocolate Chip polka-dot Satin Ribbon (SU!), Stampin' Dimensionals


Have you signed up for my Stamps in the Mail program?  There are still spots left in my Designer Series Paper Share too.  Check them both out and shoot me an e-mail if you would like to join us!!

Some Enabling....Shimmerz Paints!!!

I know I LOVE everything that sparkles and shines - I was most definitely a magpie in another life (must be why I used to save them from unpleasant situations most often brought on by them getting themselves into the dorms or other non-bird-friendly locations while I was in college at the Air Force Academy).  What about you?

Well, I have been meaning to tell you all that I finally purchased some Shimmerz and I CAN NOT WAIT until they come!!!!!  I bought mine straight from the Shimmerz Shop.  I got the larger bottle of Angel Wings, along with Gold Glimmer and Pixie Dust.  I figure that they will go really well on top of any color to add some shine.  You can see what Shimmerz are on their blog HERE, and you can shop for them HERE at the Shimmerz Shop.  Their shipping is cheap!!! 

Go check them out!!!!

*Springy* Trendy Trees

 

 So, I thought I would try to make a card with my favorite new stamp set, Trendy Trees, where there was a spring-like feel to it.  I thought the little tree with the dots would be fun to either marker in flowers on some of the dots, or....of course....add glitter to them!!  You all know I LOVE glitter!!!  This glitter is the Pink one in the NEW glitter pack in the SU! IB&C called "Fine Supernova" Stampin' Glitter.  From my experience, it's difficult photographing colored glitter - even more so than Dazzling Diamonds (or any other "translucent" glitter) so I hope you can get the idea - especially from the little close-up shot.  I think it's a super cute card - I'm very happy with it - and I have the perfect person to send it to!!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day!!!  I have another Trendy Tree card for you on Monday - it's a very simple one, but I like what I did to the tree on this card too so you'll have to stay tuned....

Stamps:  Trendy Trees, Funky Forest (SU! wheel), Bitty Birthday
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Sweet Always DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze classic ink
Accessories:  2-way Glue Pen (SU!), Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Wire Clip from the Clips Assortment (SU!), Piercing Tool and Template, Scallop Edge Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges


Have you signed up for my Stamps in the Mail program?  It will close in about a week.  Also, I have a couple of spots left in my Designer Series Paper Share.  Check them both out and shoot me an e-mail if you would like to join us!!  I'm super excited about both of them!

Trendy Trees

 

 This little stamp set is probably my favorite new set.  I only wish they had been a tad bit bigger, but I love them anyway!!  I haven't ordered the yummy new Latte buttons yet and wish I had because I think a Chocolate Chip button would have looked much better, but I'm still pleased with the card.  I think I will end up doing something similar for my Great Swaps Girls swap that I've got coming up.  As for the LO of the card, I was inspired by CPS #4 after browsing through all of the past CPS sketches for this week's Reader's Choice challenge which is to use any of the previous 99 sketches to create a card.  I hope you can see the inspiration because my card isn't exactly the same with the bottom horizontal element but the sketch is the basis for the LO of my card. 

I loved the idea of Whisper White on Whisper White as is on one of the cards in the new IB&C featuring this Trendy Tree set.  I think it looks really nice.  To add a little bit of contrast though I added the Chocolate Chip layer and it wasn't complete until I added the little scalloped strip of DSP on the right edge (Good Morning Sunshine DSP).  I really like the fun colors and patterns in this DSP.  I can't wait to pair the little birdie images with the Cheep Talk set and the

I'm also really having fun adding the little wavy banners too. and really wanted one on this card where the bottom horizontal element was supposed to be.  So, that's why it's not completely across the bottom of the card.  I just hope these banners aren't getting squished in the mail!!! :)  They seem to be a "trendy" thing right now, so it went nicely with my little Trendy Tree card.  ;)

Don't forget about my Stamps in the Mail program - it will close in a little over a week.  Also, I have a couple of spots left in my Designer Series Paper Share.  Check them both out and shoot me an e-mail if you would like to join us!!  I'm super excited about both of them!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by and make sure you check out CPS if you haven't already!!!!

Stamps:  Trendy Trees
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip ad Whisper White CS, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss button (Button Bouquet - SU!), Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig

Love Page

 

I created this page as a little project for the ladies that attended my Church's monthly "Sit and Chat, Finish That".  If you're in the Dover area and would like to come - with February being the exception - we have it every third Tuesday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.  If you have children, they're welcome.  Basically, you bring whatever you're currently working on, craft-wise, and you get to sit and chat and work on it.  It's always more fun to talk while you stamp or craft, isn't it?!?!  You can check out more details and get the address on the events page on my SU! website.  That link is HERE.

Anyway, it was a fun page to make.  I used my Big Shot and Go Go Boots alphabet set dies to cut the L, V and E letters.  The heart for the "o" was stamped with the Love You Much stamp set and punched out with the Heart to Heart punch.  All of the stamped hearts come from the Love You Much Stamp set.  You won't want to miss the 20% off of the Love You Much bundle if you like this stamp set and punch.  Not only do you get those two items, but also the adorable Candy Lane DSP - all for 20% off!!!  You can check that out on my SU! website too. 

I like how it turned out.  For some reason in the pic to the right, the little heart appears flat on one side, but if you look at the main pic at the top, you'll see that it's not.  Weird....

The Chocolate Chip panel on the left side of the page is meant for 1-2 pictures to be placed there.  The white rectangle on the bottom right is where the journaling will go.  Now if I can just get some pics taken of my kids, I'll have a cute page on my hands!!! :)

Have a great day, and don't forget about my paper share, posted HERE, or my Stamps in the Mail program, posted HERE. 

 

 

Stamps:  Love You Much
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip Textured and Whisper White CS, Riding Hood Red Patterns DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red classic ink
Accessories:  Big Shot, Go Go Boots alphabet dies, Heart to Heart and Scallop Edge punches (SU!), stampin' sponges, stampin' dimensionals

Baby Girl Card

 

I'm working on baby cards for my husband's squadron to give to new parents, and this is one of the baby girl cards I made.  I don't think I'm going to make more of it - I didn't even want to post it, but at least it gives you something to look at and think, "wow, that is an ugly card!" and you'll know that I really have done a little stamping recently.  Something about it seems off to me.  I think part of it is the ribbon.  I really wish we had Pink Pirouette Taffeta - and I didn't want to take the time to dye mine.  I don't think I'll end up giving this to them to give out - it is just not what I had envisioned in my head - and it was loosely based on the last Top Note card I posted.  I will have to play around with some different designs for the remaining 5.  I wanted to give them 6 girl and 6 boy cards for right now.

Hope you are all having a great day, and don't miss out on my Paper Share.  The details are in THIS post.  My Stamps in the Mail program is still open for registration.  You can read about it HERE.

Stamps:  Nursery Necessities
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White CS, retired SU! DSP - sorry, the name escapes my mind right now but I'll add it in later
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  White Taffeta ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Scallop Edge punch

Paper Share!!!!

I don't know about you, but I know I would LOVE to get my hands on all of the new papers in the Idea Book & Catalog!!!  So, I'm putting together another paper share.  How would you like to get 6x6 sheets of the GORGEOUS Designer Series Papers (pgs 158-161), Specialty Designer Series Papers (pg 158) and Taste of Textiles Papers (pg 156)???  In case you hadn't noticed, the Rockabilly Specialty Paper has glossy accents, and the Sweet Slumber, To the Nines and Parisian Breeze Papers are textured AND they're almost as thick as card stock!!!

People that have participated in past shares have loved them because it's a way to get the perfect amount of Designer Series Paper for card making and scrapbooking, without having to go broke.  Did you know that if you purchased all of the papers in the share in their complete packages you would have to spend OVER $260?????? 

I have divided the shares into groups, and you can purchase just the group you would like, or you can add on another, or even buy them ALL!!!  In each share, you will get a 6x6 sheet of EACH paper in the packages named.  Group 1 costs slightly more because it includes the Taste of Textiles Papers in addition to one Specialty Paper and 4 Designer Series Papers.  If you buy all four groups, we will discount your price to $70!!!!!  ETA - I only have slots left to purchase ALL of the groups.  The cost to you is $70 unless you live in the Dover area in which case it will be less.  Please e-mail me if you have any questions!!!

Group 1:  Taste of Textiles, Rockabilly Specialty, Urban Garden, Manchester, Raspberry Tart, Tea Party   cost:  $21.75

Group 2:  Parisian Breeze Specialty, Jackpot, Pink Flamingo, Urban Oasis, Washington Apple       cost:  $19.00

Group 3:  To the Nines Specialty, Bella Rose, Bella Birds, Sweet Always, Flock Together              cost:  $19.00

Group 4:  Sweet Slumber Specialty, Candy Lane, Rainbow Sherbet, Good Morning Sunshine, Bella Bleu  cost:  $19.00

So, please e-mail me (mariemc01@gmail.com) if you are interested in participating, and we can work out your payment arrangement.  Take care, and have a great day!!!

MIA

Sorry that I've been a little absent as far as not having any stamped projects to share.  I do have one, I need to get it photographed, and I will get it up.  As I briefly mentioned in an earlier post, we've had some things going on and life has been hectic and crazy.  I definitely WANT to stamp, I just need to get the time to do it.  I even signed up for 2 spots in a swap just to make sure I at least stamp something in the next week or two!!!  Check in tomorrow to see the card I made today - hopefully you've subscribed to my blog using the link in my sidebar so that you don't have to keep checking, or via Google Reader (the best!!).  Until then, take care.

Great Scor-Pal DEAL!!!

I recently purchased a Scor-Pal straight from Scor-Pal and of course, I paid exactly what they ask for it because Scor-Pal cannot discount due to the fact that it will make their retailers have a hard time since they may not be able to offer discounts.  Anyway.... THIS link will take you to to 7 Kids College Fund.com and straight to a link where you can purchase the Scor-Pal, Scor-Mat, Scor-Tool, Scor-Tote and Glitter Matt for only $64 bucks.  The e-mail I got said "Use coupon code SCORPACK to get all 5 Scor-Pal items at an awesome price!" but I think if you just follow the directions on the site it should get it for you for the right price.  I think you have to select each individual item and then enter the coupon code in the appropriate spot at check-out.  Hopefully someone out there "needs" a Scor-Pal and this will help you out!!!

It's Monday!!!!!!

Usually we're not too excited when it's Monday, but TODAY is different!!!  Today at 12:00 noon Mountain Standard Time the FABULOUS Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog will go LIVE!!!!!  In case you're like me and you call relatives at 5 o'clock in the morning 'cause you forget that they're 3 hours behind you, here's a handy little chart to show you what time it will be for you when it's 12:00 noon SU! time:

Stampin' Up! is located in the Mountain Time Zone (MT).

Hawaii 9:00 AM	Alaska 10:00 AM	Pacific 11:00 AM	Mountain 12:00 PM	Central 1:00PM	Eastern 2:00 PM

You will want to keep in mind that I'm sure I'm not the only one that will want to place an order ASAP so the system will probably be a lot slower than usual.  Also, if you don't have a copy of this catalog in hand, you should be able to see it (download time might also be slow, but it's SO worth the wait!!) by going to my website and clicking on the "SU! Products" tab and then you will see a little link on the right and sort of in the middle of the page that says "Online Catalog".  This is NOT the same thing as the on-line ordering link, it's the actual IB&C.  When you want to order, go to the "Shop Now" link at the top of my website and you can see all of the new items within the regular categories on the shop now link.  My website is linked over in the SU! Related Sites in my right-hand side-bar, or you can go there by clicking HERE. 

I am so excited about this new IB&C!!! It has so many new items that I find it hard to choose just what I want to get first!  I love the new stamps, there are so many new accessories, tools and embellishments, and the new papers are so beautiful!!!  It will be a hard decision since as much as I would want to, I can't buy it ALL!  ;) 

Have fun, and have a great day!  I will get a card up later - after all of the link updating I will have to do on here when the new catty goes live!!!

Also, don't forget about my Stamps in the Mail program in THIS post!!! It's a great way to spend just $40 a month and slowly add to your stampin' collection without breaking the bank and still getting those great new items in this brand new catalog!!!

Blog Awards

       

Sweet Bekki tagged me with these two blog awards. I'm supposed to tag 10 people to pass them on.  I think that I will "tag" everyone in my "Blogs to Browse" list over in my right-hand sidebar.  So, if you're in that list and haven't already been tagged, you're tagged!!!  I couldn't think of just 10 so my list will have to do.  We had a very interesting start to our day that will be costly and was embarrassing for me, so I really don't want to share it, so my "me" time today has been shortened and copying and pasting all of those links would take forever, so kindly just click on them to check out their blogs and see how great they all are!!!

If you're lucky like us, enjoy the 3-day weekend.  If not, have a great weekend anyway and let's all make sure to watch the inauguration because every 4 years we get to enjoy watching part of history be made, no matter who the president-elect is.  This year, though, no matter whether you voted for him  or not I think it's impossible not to acknowledge the momentous occasion that this inauguration represents.  Take care!!!

Boot Loot WINNER and a Friday Fill-In....

So, I'll get to the winner really quickly here, and then you can read my Friday Fill-In.

The person who made comment number 4 is LAURA!!!!!  So, Laura, you'll need to get in touch with me so that we can figure this out - I know you will probably not be able to see the new catty on-line with your internet connection "over there" on the 19th so let's see what we can figure out.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Thank you to all of you who played.  At 150,000 hits I will do another fun Boot Loot, so keep poppin' in to see when that happens!!

Don't forget about my Stamps in the Mail program I'm starting up again with the new SU Idea Book & Catalog!!!!  You can see the post HERE and I would love to have you join us!!!

On to my Friday Fill-In.  I saw one of these on someone's blog recently - sorry, I can't remember who it was!!!  Anyway, Friday Fill-Ins is a fun little site that gives you some prompts and since I can't share with you yet what I've been stamping, I will just share this.  Monday I should have some cards to start showing you though, so stay tuned!!

1.  Enough with the drama!!!! 

2.  My sense of duty causes me to be conflicted.

3.  I've been craving so much...I'm dieting and while I get little tastes of things that I love, I can't inhale them until I can't swallow another bite anymore.

4.  My sweet children make me laugh.

5.  I wish I could go to anywhere but here next week.

6.  A lot has been on my mind lately.

7.  And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the hubby being home and us spending precious time together as a family, tomorrow my plans include having some friends visit, hanging out with the family, and watching some friend's kids so that they can go on a date (returning the favor from a MONTH AGO!!), and Sunday I want to relax, reflect, and enjoy church.

It's Stamps in the Mail Time!!!!

SIM is now CLOSED.  If you would like to sign up for it, please contact me to see when the next kits are scheduled to go out.

I am doing a another Stamps in the Mail (SIM) program and am so excited for you!!!  The last one was a HUGE success and this one will be even better because I'm re-vamping the program a little after sending out feedback questionnaires and due to the BRAND NEW Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog coming out!! 

I've chosen to do it from February - May, and you commit to $40 a month for those four months.  You will receive stamps and accessories along with instructions, templates and photos for each project.  The best part is all of the CS and paper will be pre-cut and ready to stamp!!!  Your items will total at least $30 and this includes all of the raw materials and purchased items you will receive.  The other $10 is reserved to cover some shipping, consumables, and time/labor on my part.  When your kit arrives in the mail, just open the box, check your e-mail for the templates, directions and photos, and STAMP!!! 

How many projects will you be making, you ask?  You will receive what you need to create FOUR projects - TWICE - in each monthly kit.  You can keep one of each project for yourself and give the other away!!

The first stamp set you will receive is "Friends 24-7" on page 81 of the NEW IB&C.  If don't have your own copy of the Idea Book, you will be able to see that stamp set on the SU! website.  It has some gorgeous coordinating papers and even a beautiful coordinating wheel.  There will be at least one other stamp set included in the 3 remaining kits, but we will build up a good supply of accessories and embellishments throughout the purchase of the 4 kits so that you have lots to play with!!

Each card will have it's own sketch diagram (projects will too if necessary), photos of the actual completed project and instructions for assembly so that you can create it with the supplies you received that month or with other colors and stamps/accessories you have for a totally different look. 

If you are interested in participating I need to know by January 31st with the first payment being due to me by February 9th so that I can get the kits back in the mail to you by the last Monday in February.

When you sign up for this program, you are obligated to participate for all four months.  If for some reason you need to withdraw, you will need to find a replacement for your spot. 

Should you decide that you want to earn free stamps, coordinate it with me and we will see if one of the months you can be the hostess.  You will need to submit orders from friends and yourself totaling $150 (not including your regular SIM monthly fee) and those orders will be added to the total SIM order and you will get ALL of the hostess benefits, not just the ones that apply to a $150 order.  That means EVEN MORE free stuff!!!

So, now that you really want to be a part of a program where you can open a box and just start stamping, please e-mail me at mariemc01@gmail.com   Get a friend to do it with you (or friends) so that you can get together and do some stamping together with all of the supplies and instructions right at your fingertips.  I will communicate with the group when the last month is upon us to see who wants to continue the program, but at that point, there is no obligation past the 4 months unless you re-sign up.

Lastly, if you check the Stamps in the Mail category in my left-hand sidebar in the Category Cloud, you will see some of the samples from the last SIM that was based around one stamp set (Eastern Blooms). 

Clear as mud?!?!  I hope to hear from you - I'm excited to share my love of stamps and teaching through this Stamps in the Mail program and blow you away with all the creative possibilities of the items you receive!   Please e-mail me at mariemc01@gmail.com with any questions or to SIGN UP!!

Some comments from past participants in the SIM program:

- Getting a stamp set and ideas to specifically go with it; getting to try items and papers that maybe I wouldn't know if I wanted until I used it is what appealed to me most about the SIM program.

-  If you are looking at exploring projects and need to know exactly what to get (and enjoy getting a few extra's for free...) along with the instructions on how to make them...this is the program to do so.

-  I would absolutely recommend SIM to others – it's a great program.

-  SIM was DEFINITELY worth the money I put into it!!!

-  You know you're getting your money's worth when it's SU! product, and I loved that I always ended up with extra product after making the cards.

-  It was really nice to be able to pull my items out of the box, set the instructions and templates you made next to me on my table, and just start stamping!  I had everything I needed at my fingertips!

-  I enjoyed this 3 month program and could've gone longer.

So flattered....

ETA:  I had this post scheduled for Tuesday morning and just realized it didn't post.  Hopefully it will now!!!

I am SO flattered that I can't even begin to tell you.  One of my stamping "idols" is Nancy Riley of iSTAMP and if you aren't already a subscriber to her blog, you HAVE TO!!!  Anyway, she honored me with posting THREE of my cards as part of her weekly iPICKS, which you can see HERE.  She picked THIS card, THIS card, and THIS card.  Thank you so much Nancy!!!!  All I can say is, WOW!!!!

What's NOT black and white and red all over?

 

This CARD!!  ;)  I figured it's a nice change to what I've been posting and I forgot to put it on here for you to see.  I like it - it's another paper-pieced Top Note Bigz Die.  I LOVE doing this with the Top Note Die!!!  I was totally inspired by THIS cute card by Tessa.  What's funny is what I noticed on the card was the duckies - I loved how she did several in different colors, and that's what I wanted to CASE.  Subconsciously though, I must have wanted to CASE another detail because the tearing on her card I didn't even remember seeing but noticed when I was getting the link to give you.  Kinda funny that we are taking in more than we think we are when we see someone else's creations.  Of course, it could be a coincidence and I didn't really have some subconscious desire to CASE the tearing element, and great minds just think alike!  :)

Anywho...not much else to say today (YES, I'm ok!!! he he) except the usual reminders for this week:

1.  Don't forget to play in my Boot Loot contest for a GREAT prize.  Click HERE to go to that post.

2.  Feedblitz does not work with my blog.  Don't know why, but it doesn't, so use the Feedburner link I re-added at the bottom of the in the left-hand sidebar if you don't want to use Google Reader (which is THE BEST!!).  I would recommend unsubscribing via Feedblitz.

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Nursery Necessities
Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy and Whisper White CS, Urban Garden DSP
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy classic ink
Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (SU!), Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals

More Scor-Pal info

Well, I wish I had been a little more patient!!!!  Here's what Stacy P. told me:

"Hey Marie –
 
Try to go to the Scor-Pal site… while the 7Kids College Fund is a little cheaper, there is a DELUXE package that may make spending a little more worth it…..
 
 
I am considering the same right now… that and a big tape gun that holds 36 yards of ¼” wide tape – I think it is the 714 from Scotch…. Think of the savings on adhesive in the future????
 
Hope that helps – no place sells either thing locally "

So...now I'm off to Scor-Palto check what I missed out on and look at the tape gun.  I've heard people rave about ATG guns (is that what they're called?) and I've seen one at my friend Cherie's house.  They seem awesome.  I wouldn't demo at SU! events with them, but think about for swaps and even day-to-day use, GREAT way to save!!!

A BIG thanks to Stacy for passing this info on to me.  If you ever have tips/advice/info like this I would love to hear it!

Malone....

If your name is Malone Johnston (unique name - I'm guessing only one of you with that name reads my blog!) please e-mail me.  I got a message from you via SU!, however your contact e-mail address was incorrect and my message got returned.  Thanks!

Marie

mariemc01@gmail.com

Love You Much CPS!! :)

 

The sketch I used for this card was CPS #99.  I am excited for the gals over at CPS because the next card sketch challenge will be number 100!! 

As you can see, I am on a red kick.  I guess it's that Valentine's Day is around the corner and I love making cards for it.  I didn't use Black as my outlining color though this time.  I used Chocolate Chip instead.

I stamped all of the hearts in Chocolate Chip on Riding Hood Red CS, cut them out, and then sponged their edges in Riding Hood Red to (hopefully) give the illusion of watercoloring.  In real life they really do pop much more off of the card because of the sponging.  ;)

If you get to stamp today you should check out this sketch on CPS and play along.  It's a fun sketch - they always are!!!

 Also, don't forget that if you like this stamp set or the Candy Lane DSP, or the Heart to Heart punch and you think you might get them, well, the getting is NOW.  If you wait until after January 18th to purchase them, then you will pay regular price.  Right now these three items make up the Love You Much Bundle, and it gives you a 20% discount on all three items!!!!!!!  So, if you don't have a SU! demonstrator of your own, or you're one of my customers, go to my SU! website by clicking on the "24 hour online shopping" picture in the right-hand sidebar and from there click "shop now" on my website to place your order before it's too late.

Stamps:  Love You Much, Holidays & Wishes
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS, Candy Lane DSP (Love You Much Bundle)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red classic ink
Accessories:  3/4" Circle Punch (SU!), clear adhesive-backed rhinestones (Michael's), sponges, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Piercing Tool and Template 

PS - Don't forget to play along in my Boot Loot Contest that is my featured post (it will stay at the top).  If you're coming to my blog via this post in a subscriber you will need to click "Main" at the top of the screen to see it.

Guess what I'm finally getting!??!!?

I have been wanting a Scor-Pal for a long time and finally decided to get one after seeing Mercy's post HERE today.  I LOVE her card, and doing that "grid technique" would be so much easier with a Scor-Pal than doing it with one of the old SU! paper trimmer's using the scoring blade.  You have to get your CS in there diagonally and hope that it's straight.  I made THIS card that way.  Well...I'm hoping that with my new Scor-Pal I will be able to make them much easier and more quickly.  Oh, and INCLUDING shipping, I got mine for just under $45.  They retail at $39.95 but THIS site has them for less.  Granted, I don't pay tax in Delaware, but for anyone, unless you have a coupon to somewhere (I haven't found any) you probably won't get one for less. I'll give you a review once I get it.  THISis the exact link to the Scor-Pal on the site and VERY IMPORTANT - it said it wast "TODAY'S" super deal, so if that's true - today is the only day to get it there that cheap, so don't wait!!!!

Hopefully in just a few minutes I'll get to go stamp and will have something to show you tomorrow!!!

Check out Mercy's card and let her know how gorgeous it is!!

Do you want to win?

Well, I finally decided what I am going to have as the prize for my Boot Loot, aka blog candy on most blogs.  My blog passed 100K hits recently so I thought I would make this be a fun one.  I am really sorry, but if you continue to read, you will see that if you are not a US resident or don't have an APO mailbox, then you can not join in this Boot Loot.  See why below.

Who is excited about the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog that will be revealed on January 19th?  I know I am!!!!!  I am so excited that I even had a DREAM about getting it!!!  Okay, I have a sickness...it's called being a stampaholic - addicted most strongly to the stamps and other items of the SU! persuasion.

So....I thought I would give you a random hodge-podge of short-answer questions to answer.  That's all you have to do to get registered to win.  I'm trying to see if one of the questions ends up with the same results as when it was asked at a function I was at recently.  They're truly random questions, but still interesting...I think anyway.

Please leave your answer to the following questions in a comment below and ensure that you leave your name and e-mail when you post  so that I can contact the winner.  ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE, and definitely keep reading this post to see the "limitation" listed below:

1.  What is your favorite type of gum?

2.  What is your favorite candy bar?

3.  What brand of toothpaste do you use?

So...I'll tell you my answers after I post the winner.  I will use the random.org program to draw a random winner, so PLEASE only one comment per person to keep it accurate!!!  You have until Thursday at 8:00 pm (EST) to enter and I will announce the winner Friday morning.  Tell your friends to come play and share the fun.

Oh....you want to know WHAT you're going to win???? ;)  I almost forgot to tell you!!  Well, not really, I just wanted to keep you hanging!! :P

I will give the winner a $50 gift certificate to buy anything they want out of the NEW SU! IB&C!!!!!!

The great thing for you is that:

 1. I will be expediting this order (because I don't have tax to pay on orders since I live in DE I decided that I would spend the money to expedite this order - I've never done that before, but I really want my stuff!!) so it will ship to me faster.  You won't have to pay for the shipping from me to you either!!! 

2.  Because I don't pay tax on my orders, you won't be paying tax on your order, so that means you only have to pay shipping, which if you don't want to spend a penny more than the $50 I'm giving you, you get $45.45 in FREE SU! merchandise!!!! 

I will work out the order details with the winner.  We'll want to order ASAP to get these goodies in your hands and not run into a backorder situation with the gazillions of orders sure to go in at the stroke of noon, Mountain Time, on January 19th!!!!

The only limitationis that I can only accept entriess from the US or APO addresses.  Sorry - I would be breaking SU! rules since this is SU! merchandise!!!  I really am sorry to my international friends, and I promise that my next big give-away will not be SU! merchandise that is ordered!!!!!!!!  I appreciate each of you too, I'm just so excited about this new catty that I thought I would make the Boot Loot come from it!!

So, good luck and I can't wait to hear your answers!!!

Limelight Six Chicks Challenge #12

 So, I really liked the sketch over on the Limelight Papercrafts blog.  It is their 12th challenge over there and if you haven't checked it out, you should.  HERE is the link to the sketch.  I decided I wanted to make a manly Valentine's card.  I hadn't made one for my hubby yet and thought I would use this sketch to do it.  I wanted to keep the LO pretty much the same as the sketch to keep it clean and "masculine".  I did change the shape of the card and the layer of CS with the image.

 As for the details, those are some Thickers alphabet stickers and the heart is another heart from the Sticky Cuts Letters package.  I thought I'd cover the heart in chunky glitter 'cause what man doesn't like chunky glitter, right?  That's masculine....well, maybe I shouldn't have used the glitter, even if it is chunky.  Also, every time I so much as LOOK at the card, it makes some of the glitter fall off. That chunky stuff is hard to get to stick and coat your tacky surface as well as the more fine glitters!!  I really had to press that stuff in to the sticky heart!!!

The other thing I shouldn't have done when making the card was to lose track of the time because my husband got home and walked in on me making it and totally saw the card.  I don't give them to him if he's seen them.  So....now I have to figure out who to give it to!! I guess a female relative or something.  Good thing none of my immediate family looks at my blog!! ;)

Hope you like it, and make sure to check out the Limelights Papercrafts blog!!!  Have a lovely rest of your weekend and we'll see you back here on Monday with some Boot Loot!!

Stamps:  NONE!
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black and Real Red CS
Ink:  NONE!
Accessories:  Sticky Cuts Alphabet (heart), red chunky glitter (SU!), Thickers, Big Shot, Classic Oval Nestabilities, Black 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (SU! retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

I've done some calculating....

and even though my old counter doesn't currently work, I remember what it was at when I made the post indicating that I was getting close to offering some Boot Loot for hitting 100K.  For those of you new to my blog, Boot Loot is what I prefer to call Blog Candy.  So much more personalized for my blog, don't ya think?  ;) 

Anyway, thanks to TypePad keeping track of daily hits and me knowing where I was, and doing some rounding down because I didn't want to do any "hard" addition (hey, I never said I was good at math!!) I came up with a new beginning tracking number of 101030.  So...last night, I started my tracker there and then today and tomorrow I will gather some Boot Loot up and post it here on Monday for you to try and win. 

I have no idea what you will have to do, say, or think to win it, so hopefully I'll come up with that too.  I want to do something fun/funny. 

Any suggestions????

Have a great weekend!!

LSC202 - Happy Valentine's Day

 

Well, this is the second Valentine I've made this year.  The first one was THIS one and I think that the two are VERY different from each other.  Hopefully my style still shines through in both them though.

   

This card is for the Splitcoast Stampers Limited Supplies Challenge.  It was LSC202 and you should check it out. It was fun.  Here were the rules:

1.  Stamps - any
2.  Any + red ...any shade of red
3.  If you use a punch or die it must be heart shaped
4.  If you use an accessory it must be heart shaped or red
5.  If you use designer paper it must be red or have hearts

I have this fun glitter paper that I think I got at Target.  I have a pack of pinks/purples/reds and one of Black, White and Silver.  I used it to create the hearts so hopefully because they're hearts, even though some aren't red, they're not "breaking the rules".  The large one is the paper adhered to a Sticky Cuts Letters heart shape (you don't just get letters in that pack!!) and the others are punched using my Love You Much Bundle punch called Heart to Heart.  For good measure, there are four hearts adhered inside the card in the bottom right corner.  I didn't bother to take a picture of that.  They overlap much like the ones on the front.  For some reason the paper piercing looks wonky and the sentiment looks blurry.  In real life, they're not like that.  Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Stamps:  Holidays & Wishes
Paper:  Whisper White and Kraft CS, Glitter paper from Target
Ink:  Riding Hood Red classic ink
Accessories:  Heart from Sticky Cuts Letters, Heart to Heart punch (SU!), Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Kristina's Color Challenge

 

 It has been a long time since I've gotten the time to play along in one of Kristina's color challenges.  I always love her color combos and of course adoring her creative style just goes without saying....  You can see her color inspiration challenge HERE on her blog.  I think that it's a toss-up whether I like color inspiration challenges or sketch challenges best.  The two are definitely my favorite types of challenges to participate in.  What about you?

 

To make the leaves I dissected one of the Old Olive Flower Fusion assortment from SU!.  The Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip flowers come from the Flower Fusion Too assortment from SU!.  The little clear rhinestones are from Michael's and they are single, adhesive-backed rhinestones.  I really like them and need to go get some more!! 

I know I told you I'd post my card for the SCS challenge, but I'll do that tomorrow.  Hope you like my card.  It's one I actually need to get in the mail tomorrow, so I was glad to have this color inspiration to get me going on it.  I hope you make it a great day!

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature
Paper: Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion Too flowers, Clear Adhesive-Backed Rhinestones

Lovin' this challenge!

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC202) over at SCS is a GREAT one!!  I am so excited to get to do it and hope to do so when my little one naps, so stay tuned later today for a post with a card!!  In the meantime, why don't you go on over, check out the challenge (think Valentine's day!!) and play along too and share your card/creation with me!!!  I would love to check out what you make and leave you a comment!

Also, two other things....some of my Feedblitz subscribers have informed me that either they still aren't getting my updates, or they're going straight to their trash boxes now.  Weird.  I don't like Feedblitz.  Feedburner is still working okay.

The other thing is that you know how I need to track my visits to get my Boot Loot (aka blog candy) up for hitting 100K visitors?  Well...the day after I announced that, my counter stopped working.  I'm noticing it's not working for other people on their blogs either.  Do you guys see numbers on my counter or on anyone else's who use the same free counter service?  Is it just me?

Card coming later....

QUADRUPLE SCS Challenge Card

That's right!!  This card meets FOUR of the challenges over at SCS for this week.  As soon as I saw the Ways to Use It #200 challenge today for today (use stars on your card) I got this idea in my head and went with it.  The glitter strips that are Brilliant Blue (some glitter I have that's not labeled - sorry!) cover up the color that wasn't part of the color challenge.  This Jersey Shore DSP (SU! retired) has a Bashful Blue stripe so I put my Sticky Strip (Technique Lovers Challenge #202 was to use Sticky Strip and glitter on your card) over it to hide it.  The green in the Jersey Shore DSP is "really" Wild Wasabi (SU! retired In Color) but I think it's so close to Garden Green I really didn't feel like I was even cheating.  As you may recall from THIS card earlier this week, Color Challenge #200 was to use Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi.  Lastly, the little sketch is Sketch Challenge #210 for this week.  If you click on any of the titles of the challenges you will be taken to them on the SCS website. 

 The Whisper White CS rectangles were run through my Big Shot with my Classic Rectangle Nesties and were both cut and then embossed.  My star I sort of cheated on - it's not Sticky Strip, rather it's from the SU! Sticky Cuts Letters pack.  It's a sticky Star that I stuck my blue glitter to and then stuck that to some thin cardboard (the label part of a Stampin' Dimensionals package) and cut out so that it was a little thicker than the Sticky "Strip" star and definitely more firm.  As for the brads, well, I punched my 6 holes only to find that the orange Fire Circle Rhinestone brads I wanted to use only had 5 in both of the 2 larger sizes and only 3 in the smallest size.  BUMMER!!  So - I whipped out my silver brads, detail Clear SU! embossing powder and my Fire glitter (Martha Stewart).  I heated a brad, dipped it in the ep and heated again, and then dipped and heated two more times (for a total of three times dipped and re-heated).  While it was still hot after the third dip and subsequent re-heat, I dipped it into the fire glitter.  Then I heated it again dipped it and heated it two more times - again for a total of 3 dips and 3 re-heats.  Make sense?  They're not exactly uniform in size, but they go nicely I think and I MADE them, so I'm happy with them! :)

I would love to hear what you think!!!

Stamps: Starring You
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS, Jersey Shore DSP (SU! retired)
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie and Brilliant Blue classic inks
Accessories:  Silver Brads, Detail Clear ep, heat tool, tweezers, Fire glitter (MS), Blue glitter (?), Sticky Cuts Letters (star), Sticky Strip, Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Classic Rectangle Nestabilities, Stampin' Dimensionals

So...I would love to hear what you think!!!

If you agree....

...then please click on THIS link and write your congressman.  HERE is a link to an article and I verified this on snopes.com.

There is a new law that will come in to effect on February 10th OF THIS YEAR that will basically destroy all small business owners who make and sell childrens toys or clothing. It will force second hand stores to stop selling any childrens clothes...

Click on the link above to the article to read more.  Then, if you agree that this should be STOPPED click on the other link I provided above to write your congressman.  They are there to REPRESENT us and they can't do that if they don't know what we want!! 

If you don't care or don't agree, then no sweat off your back - I just wanted to get this word out.  Feel free to post a link to this post on your blog, or e-mail it to your friends to spread the word!!!! 

Having three kids, I DO use the thrift store.  Not for everything, but it is a valuable resource both for selling all of my kid's outgrown items AND for purchasing ones that we need.

Have a great day - no more posts today ;)

Here is what I sent my congressman - feel free to copy and past it into your own form:

"It has come to my attention that there is a law that will go into effect on February 10th that will virtually destroy all small business owners who make and sell children's toys or clothing. It will force second-hand stores to stop selling any children's clothes.  This law will deem that any product not tested for lead content by Feb. 10 be considered hazardous waste, and will cause stores to have to tell customers that clothing they were allowed to sell Feb. 9 became banned overnight.  I believe it is far too broad.

I believe that the law should be changed so that it applies to products made after Feb. 10, not sold after that date.  I understand that the intent of this law is to protect our children - providing them better health and safety, but it should be considered over a longer period of time and receive some refining before enacted.

I appreciate your time and efforts on behalf of myself and my family, and hope that you will take action on this matter."

Before, during, and after....

So, I told you my stampin' space was REALLY messy.  Here it is before the cleaning, during it, and after it. 

Before, during and after:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have my handy dandy Maine Blueberry bag that I bought at SU! Convention last summer sitting on the floor to the left of my chair for easy access to all of my scissors, adhesives, my bone folder, paper piercing tool, template, mat and cutting mat, Crop-a-Dile, and so on....

I can't wait to stamp tonight!!!!  :)

ETA:  I have been asked by several people if this is the SU! ink storage container.  NO - it's NOT.  In my honest opinion, this one is much more sturdy and of better quality.  I have had it for about 4 years and bought it from CDJ Designs.  It is called a Porta Ink.  It swivels very smothly and is of durable construction.  CDJ Designs sold the "rights" to the Porta Ink and it is now manufactured (for less than I paid for it!!) by First Choice Products and you can find it HERE for purchase if you would like. 

Inspire. Create. Share.

Inspire.  Create.  Share.  Lydia, over at Understand Blue just informed us that SU! has come up with a new "tag line" and I LOVE it!!  So much so that I incorporated it into my blog description.  See my header above.

Oh, and I WILL post a pic of my stamping space later.  I have already started to clean it up...just took a break to get some Leadership Convention updates!! :)

Did you know that SU! will have DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING LATER THIS YEAR?!?!?!?!?!  YEAH!!!!!!!

Should I show you? And...remember this card?

So, who wants to see my stamping space - after the tornado hit it??  I have about 7x7 inches worth of space to work in due to all of the clutter on the table, so, needless to say - I need to clean it. 

I don't have anything new to show you because per one of my New Year's resolutions I have been de-cluttering my house and I didn't start with my stamping space, unfortunately ;)  That means I haven't stamped and don't have anything new to share.  Maybe I'll take a pic of my mess and embarrass myself in blog-land???

As for the card, here it is - it was in THIS post:

   

I am just giving myself a pat on the back.  I sent this card in to SU! a while ago with all of the other lady's cards in the swap I hosted who wanted theirs sent in, and it's on the Stampers' Showcase on the SU! Demonstrator Website today.  Yeah me!!  :)

Getting Close!!

Look for some Boot Loot (aka Blog Candy if you didn't change the name like I did!!) in the near future....100K hits are around the corner - I can't believe it!! 

As I've often said, I'll never be one of those blogs that hits a million in the first year or two - there are some GREAT stampers out there who have - but I do appreciate EACH AND EVERY one of your visits.  Your kind comments brighten my day, and I love to share my project with you and hopefully provide some inspiration for you to get creative. 

Keep your peepers peeled!!! :)

A Color CHALLENGE and a Sketch

 

Can you believe that over on the Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge they have reached CC200?!?!?  That means that they have given us TWO HUNDRED color combos to try!!!  Well, Emily DID NOT make the 200th easy - for me at least! ;) 

    

They say (whoever "they" are?) that a lot of beginning stampers use a lot of Bold Brights in their stamping.  You know, the classic crayon type colors - red, blue, green, yellow, orange, etc.  Well...I was NOT one of those people.  I gravitated towards the Soft Subtles in the VERY beginning but shortly thereafter used a lot of Earth Elements.  That is my comfort zone - EarthElements or colors that go well withthem.  So...when I saw that the CC200 color combo was (as you can see from my card and the swatch above) Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Garden Green, I almost decided to not even give it a thought or so much as a try.  Well....then I started thinking that I do really like Pumpkin Pie and although Old Olive is TOTALLY my green of choice, I could perhaps make the Garden Green work for me.  As I started playing withthe way I wanted to balance my colors I realized I didn't really want an "orange" card, so I made the card base Brilliant Blue and went from there with my layers.  I hope that only using the Garden Green for leaves isn't cheating!!! ;)  I used my SU! Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aqua Painter to do the main floral image (I even used the Brilliant Blue to outline the flower), but on the little flower that's attached to the sentiment I simply used my SU! markers.

As for the SKETCH...well, it's not mine.  It's this week's sketch over on Card Positioning Systems.  It's CPS 98 and it was SUPER fun to work with.  I always love the sketches over there, that's why I permanently display the lovely CPS banner over in my left-hand sidebar.  Now you'll know you can always go check them out from my blog!   As you can see if you go take a peek at the sketch over at CPS, I pretty much stuck to it.  Because I had so many blue on blue layers over on the right-hand side of my card, I stamped a little bit of the Sanded BG stamp over there in White StazOn.  I wanted the layers to at least have a little contrast - between the Sanded BG and the white dots on my Scalloped Oval layer. 

Anyway - I hope you like my card!!!  It's definitely a bright and happy one!! :) 

Stamps:  Flower Fancy, Starring You, Sanded BG
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie and Brilliant Blue Prints DSP (retired SU!), Pumpkin Pie textured CS, Watercolor Paper, Whisper White and Brilliant Blue CS
Ink:  Black and White StazOn, Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun SU! markers, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Summer Sun and Brilliant Blue Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Pumpkin Pie classic ink (sponged)
Accessories: Scalloped Oval and Oval Nestabilities, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Scallop Edge Punch, White Signo Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges

I should have a card up later today....

I will hopefully get to stamp the card I have sketched out later this afternoon when my little one naps.  I also thought I would mention that Feedblitz does not appear to be working with my blog, once again.  So...if you happen to get this update via Feedblitz, let me know otherwise.  This is why I no longer link to it in my sidebar.  I recommend Google Reader to subscribe to my blog. See THIS post with info using it.

Mojo Monday Meets "Fancy Top Note"

 

I really loved THIS sketch when I saw it over on the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog.  You can check out the blog by clicking on the link I provided above.  Immediately I knew I wanted to use the Top Note Bigz Die and for the first time I did a little trimming along the edge to remove the CS between the edge of the die cut shape and the little outline of "faux stitches" if you want to call them that.  I've never tried cutting that piece off, and it wasn't actually very easy.  It wasn't smooth and I had to keep trimming ever so slightly until I got it smooth, but it's not as perfect as I would like it to be.  I just had to give up.  Hopefully you don't notice ;)  Anyway, by removing this edge, I was able to layer another Top Note die cut out of Basic Black CS beneath so that it was matted nicely.  I really wanted a black layer beneath everything.

Other than that, I used my new stamp set Flower Fancy and I have plans to use it again tomorrow with the CPS sketch for this week.  I've already drawn that one out and now I just need to sit down and stamp it.  I'm having a lot of fun with this stamp set.

Oh, and that GORGEOUS Designer Series Paper on the base of the card is some of the Raspberry Tart DSP that will be in the NEW Idea Book & Catalog that will be revealed a little bit later this month!  I LOVE it and can't wait to use it all up!!  The patterns are so vibrant and I love the color combos.

 I hope you like my card.  Take a look at the Mojo Monday sketch blog each week for some really great sketches that Julee comes up with.  She's amazing at creating really well balanced and inspiring sketches.  I've used them MANY times when I need a little help - I can't help but want to create with them!!

I can't wait to send this card to a dear friend of mine.  I think I might scoot the big flower down just a smidge and after I do I just hope that it and the other flowers which I popped up with double layers of dimensionals and curled the petals stay pretty in the mail!! :)

 

Stamps:  Flower Fancy, Holidays & Wishes
Paper:  Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Old Olive and Whisper White CS, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink:  Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Summer Sun (SU! marker) and Basic Black classic inks
Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Stampin' Dimensionals, black brads (SU!), paper piercing tool and template

Ornament Instructions

Last post from me today, I promise!!  :)

Nancy Riley over at iSTAMP was SO sweet, and she picked something I made (I am so flattered!) as one of her iPICKS for this week.  The project she featured was my little domino ornament, and I have received so many e-mails asking exactly how I made it that I edited the post with the details. 

You can find the instructions for creating a domino ornament HERE. 

Thanks so much for looking, and definitely pop by Nancy's blog and check out her amazing talent!!!

OH MY GOSH!!!!

Stampin' Up!'s first-ever Inventory Blowout begins today and runs through January 18, 2009. You can get select retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off retail price!  Simply click on my 24/7 Ordering link in the right-hand sidebar or contact me to place your order or to ask any questions!!

Inventory Blowout Details:

Dates: January 5-18, 2009

Promotion details:

Get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off regular price!

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109190	180	On Board 9" x 9" clipboard	$7.95	$5.99
107925	181	On Board Bitty Book	$9.95	$6.99
105384	183	Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
105381	183	Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
103977	187	Bold Bright buttons	$6.95	$4.99
104389	188	Double Circle punch	$5.95	$4.49
114447	n/a	Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit	$49.95	$24.98

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109013	163	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109012	163	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109011	163	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109010	163	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109009	163	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109014	163	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces	$14.95	$10.99
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109188	190	Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109184	190	Sherbet Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109186	190	Theater Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched ribbon	$8.95	$6.49
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$7.95	$5.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
111349	162	Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock	$5.50	$4.49
111345	162	In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock	$11.95	$8.99
109110	185	Fire Circle Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109112	185	Fire Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109113	185	Ice Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
111325	185	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
112454	185	Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
113451	n/a	20th Anniversary Embosslits die	$11.95	$9.49

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Things to Remember:

• Items and special pricing are limited supply.
  
  
  
  • Retired/previously retired items will be sold until quantities run out.
    
  • Current items may revert to their retail price if inventory levels become acceptable.
  
  
  
  
• Orders can be placed on a customer, demonstrator, or workshop order.

HERE is a link to the pictures of the items that are already retired but are part of this inventory blowout.

FAQs

Q: Are all retiring accessories part of the Inventory Blowout?
A: No. Only retiring accessories listed on the flyer are discounted; however, all items are only available while supplies last.

Q: How do I know if an item is no longer available for purchase?
A: SU! will post a current update notifying you of any items that run out and you can ask me and I will check on the tiem for you.

Q: How do I know about the blowout products that aren't featured in the current catalog?
A:  If you have a copy of the Spring-Summer 2008 catalog, use this as a resource for most items or see the link posted above.

Q: What about the blowout items that are not retiring--will they run out during the promotion?
A: Our inventory levels are such that we do not anticipate this happening.

Q: Isn't the 20th Anniversary Embosslit die only available to demonstrators? If not, why would a customer want it?
A: Up to this point, the 20th Anniversary Embosslit die has only been available on a demonstrator order. However, this product will be available during the inventory blowout to customers, as well. The Embosslit die is general enough that it could be used for a 20th birthday or 20th anniversary of any kind (wedding, work service, etc.).