Paperamblings

2009-08-15T14:57:00.000-07:00

Swing for the Fences with Clear and Simple Stamps' Latest Release!
As promised, here's my second card using one of Clear and Simple Stamps' latest releases, "Baseball". This set is part of the big August release, the School Days Collection (see my previous post for details).

I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to use my new Martha Stewart "Picket Fence" border punch, espe-cially considering the sentiment I chose...and even Martha's "Embossed ZigZag" border punch puts me in mind of baseball diamonds! Here's a list of all the other products I used:

Stamps: "Baseball" - Clear and Simple Stamps
Inks: SU "Chocolate Chip"; Ranger "Old Paper" Distress
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink "Vintage Cream"; SU "Chocolate Chip"
DP: Papertrey Ink Bitty Box Basics, Bitty Dot Basics
Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Tags 5 (?); Martha Stewart "Picket Fence" & "Embossed ZigZag" border punches
Accessories/Embellishments: Basic Grey "Periphery" ribbon; foam adhesive

One more "Baseball" card to show you comin' up soon! Thanks for checkin' in!

2009-08-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's Big Release Day at Clear and Simple Stamps!

Today's the day that Clear and Simple Stamps releases their brand new School Days Collection, and it is AWESOME...all kinds of great images to get you geared up for another year! And for the very first time, CSS is offering a "Want it All" option, where with one click, you can buy ALL the sets inluded in this great new release. And...you can still use the special code - DTBlog809 -to get the A+ Darling set, which is the stamp of the month. Here are the links to each set in the collection, as well as the "Want it All" option:

Now, check out what all the CSS dt members have been busy making with these new goodies:

CSS Blog, Sue Berker, Kim Howard, Maria Levine, Beth Matson, Neva McMullen, Jen Tapler, Lori Tecler, Robyn Weatherspoon, and Guest Designer Millie Dawson-Hardy

And I'll be posting in just a few minutes another of my cards showcasing the "Baseball" set from this collection, so stay tuned! And thanks for the visit!

2009-08-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Clear Dollar Stamps' Charlie with Some Big News!

It's fun, fun, FUN over at Clear Dollar Stamps this week, August 10th through the 15th. Check out owner Lori McCroskey's blog, ClearlyiStamp, for some teezers leading up to the big party on Saturday (be sure to scroll down to get ALL the goods, as I'm a little late in posting!).

Leave a comment on Lori's blog for a chance to win some great blog candy...then be SURE to go back again on Saturday for lots of fun!

2009-08-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek - Clear and Simple Stamps

The big news here in Western PA these days is that Steelers Training Camp is in full swing...so that means Fall, football season, and back-to-school are right around the corner. But that doesn't mean it's too late for baseball (in fact, most areas have "Fall Ball" for those kids not wanting to take part in all that Mom-scaring tackle business!). So to celebrate baseball, here's card I made using a soon-to-be-released set from Clear and Simple Stamps called, quite simply, "Baseball"! We all know there are tons of sports-related stamps out there, but I just LOVE the clean yet retro feel of this one! You'll be able to purchase this set come August 15th over at the CSS website, so start thinking about all the sports fans in your life you want to celebrate with a card or a scrapbook page! Here are the details on my card:

Stamps: "Baseball" - Clear and Simple Stamps

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black"; SU "Bravo Burgundy" & "Brocade Blue"; Ranger "Black Soot" Distress

Cardstock: SU "Bravo Burgundy"

DP: SEI "Grandpa's Attic" (yeah I know...I'm going waaaay back!)

Dies/Punches/Embossing: Nestabilities Large Petite Ovals; Cuttlebug "Argyle" embossing folder

Accessories/Embellishments: Making Memories brads & oval frame

Misc. Tools/Supplies: Paper piercer; foam adhesive

I've got two more "Baseball" cards to post over the next few days...hope you'll stay tuned!

2009-08-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

It's Apple-Pickin' Time!
And here's a most ADORABLE template project to help you celebrate! Designed by Clear and Simple Stamps' template guru, Sue Berker, this would make a WONDER-FUL back-to-school gift for a new teacher, tutor, etc. Or make a tassel to use as party favors! You can download the template right here. Here's what I used to make mine:

Stamps: "Sweet Tooth" - Clear and Simple Stamps
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Frayed Burlap" Distress
Cardstock: SU Kraft & "Ruby Red"
Accessories/Embellishments: Wooden handle (available at Clear and Simple Stamps); Pebbles, Inc. "Chocolate Brown" Candy Dots; Offray ribbon

Be sure to check out my fellow CSS dt girls' blogs for their interpretations of this super-fun design:

Sue Berker, Kim Howard, Maria Levine, Beth Matson, Neva McMullen, Jen Tapler, Lori Tecler, & Robyn Weatherspoon

And don't forget the Clear and Simple Stamps blog, as well. I hope after seeing all these beautiful samples you'll be inspired to build your own basket! Thanks for stopping by today, and I'll see you when I return from the beach!

Post Script: So much for scheduling ahead with Blogger :-( This post was SUPPOSED to have been published on August 1st, but the posting fairy was apparently asleep on the job! Hope you enjoy it anyway, and my apologies to Clear and Simple Stamps!!!

2009-07-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Alien Invasion!

Just a quick post today, as I'm packing and otherwise preparing my family to take off for the beach on Friday...so many things to do beforehand, I'll definitely need some down time on the sand! But before I go, one more card showcasing Clear Dollar Stamps' "Lost in Space", re-leased earlier this month. Here are the full details:

Stamps: "Lost in Space" - Clear Dollar Stamps

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black"; Ranger "Fired Brick" & "Peeled Paint" Distress inks

Markers: Copic #s B01, B02, B05, C1, R14, R17, W1, W3, Y02, Y06, YG21, YG25

Cardstock: SU "Kiwi Kiss" & "Whisper White"

DP: Basic Grey "Cupcake"

Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Tags 5

Accessories/Embellishments: Foof-a-La by Autumn Leaves buttons; Papertrey Ink white twine; Making Memories brads

As I mentioned in my last post, the "Posting Fairy" will be stopping by here on the 1st to put up a really cool template project... I hope you'll stop by and take a look! And thanks for checking in with me today!

2009-07-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Raspberry Sherbet, Anyone?

I'm back today with a second card showcasing the brand new "Sweet Scoops" set from Clear Dollar Stamps (see it here). I know there are a ton of ice-cream/sweets-related stamp sets out there, but what I love about this one is that it contains an image of and ice-cream containers (well, two actually...one filled and one with its lid on!). So much fun and SO versatile, with the phrases (and quite a few) being able to fit on the container label. Which is exactly what I did here! And here's the rest of the story:

Stamps: "Sweet Scoops" - Clear Dollar Stamps

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black"; SU "Pink Passion"

Markers: Copic #s BG10,BG45, BG49, C3, C5, RV02, RV06, RV09

Cardstock: SU Baja Breeze, Purely Pomegranate, Pixie Pink

DP: My Mind's Eye "Breaking Free"

Dies/Punches/Cutting Tools: Nestabilities Classic Rectangles; Marvy Giga oval scallop punch; Fiskars jumbo scallop scissors; micro hole punch

Accessories/Embellishments: Papertrey Ink "Raspberry Fizz" button & white twine

Misc: Foam adhesive

I hope to get a couple more cards done & posted before Friday, when we're off to the beach for a week (yay!). But while I'm gone, I've arranged for the "Magic Posting Fairy" (?!) to publish an AWESOME template surprise on August 1st...hope you can stop by & check it out!

2009-07-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

I Scream, You Scream...
Welcome to my bliss... both in ink and in real life: ICE CREAM! Just last night, I had an absolutely DEE-LISH chocolate malt shake (just what my diet needs!)... it's sure to hold me, at least until tonight! Now this ink version here on my card comes courtesy of Clear Dollar Stamps...it's one of their brand new July release sets, called "Sweet Scoops" and you can see it here. I'm sure this one is destined to become an all-time favorite for a lot of us treat-loving ladies! To see other calorie-free treats, check out these CDS design team girls' blogs:

Angela
Candy
Cassie
Cathy
Joan
Katie
Lisa
Shawne
Tori

Now, here's the scoop (pun intended!) on my card:

Stamps: "Sweet Scoops" - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; SU "Chocolate Chip"
Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons
Cardstock: SU "Chocolate Chip"; watercolor paper
DP: Chatterbox "Fabulous Blooms"
Dies/Punches: Sizzix "Decorative Label Set" Sizzlits
Accessories/Embellishments: Papertrey Ink "Lemon Tart" buttons & white twine; SU dimensional glaze; sewing machine/brown thread

I've got another yummy ice cream sample to show you tomorrow...hope you'll stop back!

2009-07-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Perfect Occasion for a Spacey Card!
I've been having SO MUCH FUN over the past couple weeks working on samples for Clear Dollar Stamps' July releases...I can say for sure that at least two of this month's releases will become my all-time favorites, and the set I used to make this card is definitely one of them! It's called "Lost in Space" and it was designed by my fellow dt gal, Kim Teasdale. Be sure to check out her blog (as well as those of Lori, Laurie, Angela, Tori & Stacy) for more great cards using this adorable set!

And isn't this the most perfect of days to post a space-related card...the 40th anniversary of humankind's first walk on the moon!? Ever since seeing the movie "Apollo 13" (one of my top 3 movies of all time...guess I'm quite the science nerd!), I have developed an avid interest in the space program, particularly that era leading up to the moon landing.

I'm sure part of my enthusiasm lies in the fact that the Apollo program was going on during my childhood, and so in a way, I almost feel like I was a real part of it. But also, it's the sheer AMAZEMENT I feel every time I look up at the moon and think "We have been there, walking on that surface!" And then you look at all else that NASA has accomplished since...the Space Station, the Shuttle Program, etc. It all just fills me with awe and wonder, and I have so very much respect for the men and women that fly...I mean, lives have been lost along the way, yet these amazing engineers & scientists, for the sake of knowledge and advancement, are still willing & eager to take flight.

The whole subject just restores my faith in mankind and all the positive things we are capable of! But now back to my modest little corner of life...my card; here are the ingredients:

Stamps: "Lost in Space" - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress
Markers: Copic #s B00, B01, B02, R35, R37, W1, YR000, YR15, YR16
Cardstock: SU "Riding Hood Red" & "Tempting Turquoise"; Papertrey Ink white
DP: Cosmo Cricket "Li'l Man" collection ("Silly Sam" sheet)
Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Large Classic Circles
Accessories/Embellishments: SU "District" ribbon (orange); Making Memories "Sam" Kids (star trim); Darice gemstones; googley eyes (craft supply)

I should have taken a side-view shot so you could see that, using foam adhesive, I raised up the blue panels of the spaceship for some dimension. And then I popped up the entire ship using TWO layers of foam. Oh well, you know how that works anyway! I'll be posting another CDS July-release card later tonight (omg, TWO in ONE day??!?), so I hope you'll come back and take a look. Have a wonderful evening and a great week ahead!

2009-07-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

"Summertime" Collection Release!
Today's the big day...Check out all the fantastic new sets from Clear and Simple Stamps, just right for all your summertime cards & scrapbook pages! Here are the links to each of the ten new sets:

Summer / Sunshine / Summer Sand / Together / In Bloom / Traveller / Tennis / MVP / Deep Dive /

Tennis Darling (CSS Signature Set)

Can't settle for just one or two of these great new additions? Then order them ALL with one click by going here. And you can still receive $1 off the SOTM - Summer - until July 31. Enter discount code: DTBlog709 at checkout. YAHOO FOR SUMMERTIME!!!

2009-07-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

"Deep Dive" Sneak Peek No. 3!

Tomorrow's the big day over at Clear and Simple Stamps...time for their big Summer Release! And here is my third sample showing one of the sets included in this release, "Deep Dive". Be sure to check out my fellow dt members' blogs...

...and also the CSS blog for more great sneak peeks using other sets that will debut tomorrow! Now here's the info on my card:

Stamps: "Deep Dive" - Clear and Simple Stamps

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black" solvent ink; SU "Baja Breeze" & "Luscious Lime" dye inks (sponged on dp edges)

Markers: Copic #s B24 (w/airbrush system), BG02, BG05, BG07, Y13, Y15, Y17, YG17, YG21, YG23, YG25

Cardstock: SU "Pacific Point"

DP: K & Company "Citronella"; Basic Grey "Lime Rickey"

Dies & Punches: Nestabilities Labels Two & Large Classic Squares; Fiskars "Threading Water" border punch

Accessories & Embellishments: Michael's ribbon; Stamping Bella Crackle Blue flatbacks; Stickles "Waterfall" glitter glue

Be sure and head over to the Clear and Simple Stamps website bright & early tomorrow for the big release day! And before you know it, it'll be time for August release sneak peeks! Thanks for stopping by today...

2009-07-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

A Break from Paper for a Peek at Nature (and a Bit of Reminiscing)!

Yesterday, the kids and I made the trip to "The Cottage" where my sister and her girls were already camped out for the weekend. One of my favorite places EVER, I go there now with bittersweet feelings...wanting to share such a joyous part of my childhood with my own children, here in the present, while at the same time trying to stay composed in the midst of thousands of long-lost happy mem-ories as they come flooding to mind... and missing some of the family that helped create them but have since passed on.

The cottage is a late-1800's church camp, Ridgeview Park, located at the base of the Laurel Highlands near Derry, PA. It would certainly appear to be nothing special to a stranger who might come upon it...just a large handful of fairly dilapidated shack-like cottages (though some still boast a bit of their original quaint "gingerbread-y" touches) in the woods. But for me - and my sister and cousins - it was such a large and important part of our growing-up years...from a walk to the railroad tracks to smash pennies, to hot afternoons spent in the community pool as Grandma and Grampa patiently watched our tricks in the water, to a short drive to Bergman's Dairy for a (humongous) ice-cream cone, to Sunday morning church services, to an evening stroll to the candy store, with it's sweet, woody aroma (and I could go on with about a million more "to's"!), the cottage holds a very sacred place in my heart. So today, I take a break from posting cards and instead share these shots from nature (that anyone might appreciate), courtesy of the beautiful Laurel Highlands!

A lone patch of butterfly weed down by the tracks...host to several color-coordinated butterflies!

2009-07-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Deep Dive - Sneak Peek Two

Today's card is another sneak peek sample of Clear and Simple Stamps' upcoming release, "Deep Dive". It's definitely an essential set for anyone who loves the water! And aren't the fonts just so nifty?!? I love the contrast between the more delicate script and the bold san serif print. Here's what I used to make the card:

Stamps: "Deep Dive" - Clear and Simple Stamps

Inks: Colorbox "Moss Green", "Peacock", and "Ter'Cotta" pigment inks (w/Stampendous Detail Clear embossing powder); Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress ink

Cardstock: SU "Kiwi Kiss"

DP: Scenic Route "North Shore Barrel"

Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Large Classic Squares & Double-Ended Tags

Accessorie/Embellishments: SU "Riding Hood Red" striped ribbon; Making Memories brads; twine; paper distresser tool

Ok, so that's two down, one to go...I'll show you my last sneak peek using this set over the next day or so. Thanks for stopping by!

2009-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

Clear and Simple Stamps - July Sneak Peek #1!

I made this card using the soon-to-be-released "Deep Dive" set...available on the big release day - July 15 - at Clear and Simple Stamps! This set is an absolute must-have for any scuba/skin-diving fan, or any ocean lover you know. Versatile and fun, it's great for both masculine and feminine cards and scrapbook layouts, for sure! Here's my materials list:

Stamps: "Deep Dive" - Clear and Simple Stamps

Inks: Ranger Adirondak "Stream" & "Terra Cotta" dye inks; Ranger "Broken China" distress ink

Markers: Copic #Y19 (w/airbrush system)

Cardstock: SU "Tangerine Tango"

DP: Basic Grey "Recess" collection

Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Large Classic Circles; Fiskars "Boundary Waters" border punch

Accessories/Embellishments: Basic Grey "Recess" collection ribbons; The Robin's Nest "Getaway" Dew Drops

Please check out the Clear and Simple Stamps blog for more sneak peeks, as well as my fellow dt members' blogs (listed in my sidebar), who will be showcasing other new-release sets! And over the next few days, I'll show you 2 more cards I put together using other fun images from the "Deep Dive" set. So stay tuned...:-)

2009-07-07T07:03:00.001-07:00

Sizzle & Pop: It's "Take the Challenge Tuesday" at Clear and Simple Stamps!
It's July - the height of the summer season - and it's time for a little sizzle & pop! This month's "Take the Challenge Tuesday" at Clear and Simple Stamps is to make something using bold fun colors like bright orange, yellow and red and to add some-thing that "pops" to your card, LO or project.

Join us over at the Clear and Simple Stamps Group on Papercraft Planet to play along in the Sizzle and Pop Challenge. Use the tag TTC07 when uploading your photos to PCP.

For my project here, the choice was obvious when I heard the word "POP"...I just HAD to use the "Bucket-o-Popcorn Fun" set. Here are the other ingredients:

Stamps: Bucket-o-Popcorn Fun & Popcorn Extras - Clear and Simple Stamps

Inks: Staz-On Jet Black; VersaMark watermark

Markers: Copics (sorry...forgot to write down numbers :-()

Cardstock: SU Summer Sun & Riding Hood Red; Gina K white

Dies/Punches: Nestabilities large scalloped squares

Accessories & Embellishments: Michael's ribbon; Foof-a-La by Autumn Leaves Indian Summer collection buttons; Papertrey Ink white twine; foam adhesive

Be sure to check out the Clear and Simple Stamps' blog along with my fellow CSS dt members' blogs for their interpretation of this fun challenge:

Nancy Beauchamp, Sue Berker, Kim Howard, Maria Levine, Beth Matson, Neva McMullen, Jen Tapler, Lori Tecler, Robyn Weather-spoon

And now that July is underway, I'll be starting to post some sneak peeks of brand new Clear and Simple sets, to be revealed on the big release day, July 15! So please check in with me again soon...and thanks for stopping by today!

2009-07-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Perch in the Lurch
Ok, so yesterday, June 30, I was plan-ning on posting my last Clear Dollar Stamp card using a JUNE release. But as luck would have it, the land-scapers were digging away outside and pulled my internet connection *frown*...Like I need any help in being late! Oh well, bltn, right?!? This card showcases a set called "Pretty Perches" and I just love this little saying that's included. Here's the complete scoop:

Stamps: "Pretty Perches" - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: VersaMagic "Wheat" & "Sea Breeze" chalk inks; Colorbox "Chestnut Roan" chalk ink; Ranger "Frayed Burlap" distress ink
Cardstock: SU Kraft & Whisper White
DP: SU "Parisian Breeze"
Dies: Nestabilities Large Classic Ovals; SU "Lots of Tags" Sizzlits
Accessories/Embellishments: SU "Baja Breeze" striped ribbon; Tim Holtz chain/brad; sewing machine/tan thread; foam adhesive

Be back soon with some cards using Clear Dollar July releases. In the meantime, check out these CDS dt members who have been very busy with sneak peaks:

Laurie Wilson
Angela Thomas
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask
Katie Renz
Kim Teasdale
Linda Borneman
Nancy Grant
Sarah Taylor
Tori Wild

And now that we're actually into July, be sure to visit ALL the dt members as the month goes on for more great Clear Dollar Stamps cards! See you soon!

2009-07-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Happy July!
And what better way to start off a new month than with a brand new release from Clear and Simple Stamps, the oh-so-bright & summery July Stamp-of-the-Month set called, appropriately enough, "Summer". You can see it right here. And more good news...

For the month of July, you can enjoy a $1 off this set by using discount code: DTBlog709. In addition, there is the SOTM Copic Bundle for $26. Enjoy this discounted bundle when you purchase the Copic Trio Yellow-1 and "Summer" during the entire month of July. But wait, there's even more good news...

Along with having a Stamp-of-the-Month set to look forward to every month, Clear and Simple Stamps will be offering a custom template to coordinate with the SOTM...for FREE! This month's template, "Summer Treat Pack" is available to download here (be sure to scroll down, as the template itself is on Page 2 of the document).

And it's the Summer Treat Pack template I'm demonstrating here, with my "Happy Belated Birthday" candle pack (I know I just posted an altered tin filled with candles, but they turned out to be the perfect filler for this little number, too!). Now here's a complete listing of materials:

Stamps: "Make a Wish" - Clear and Simple Stamps
Papers: A Muse "Kitchen Blue" & "Kitchen Brown"; Basic Grey "Archaic" collection (the cup part of the cupcake)
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown; Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress
Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons
Templates/Dies/Punches: "Summer Treat Pack" template - Clear and Simple Stamps; Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Squares & Classic Scalloped Rectangles; McGill scallop corner rounder punch; Fiskars oval punch
Accessories/Embellishments: SU felt flowers; Kaiser self-adhesive pearls; misc. lace trims; Making Memories paper distresser tool

Here's a shot of the back:

Please be sure to check out my fellow CSS dt members' blogs to see their super-creative inter-pretations of this fun template! And guess what? You can play along with us and maybe even win a prize! Download the template, make your own "Summer Treat Pack" creations and leave a comment over at the Clear and Simple Stamps blog, along with a link to a picture of your project. You could win a $15.00 gift certificate to the CSS webstore on their July 15th release day!!!

Thanks for checking in with me...come back soon for some fun CSS sneak peaks leading up to that big release day!

2009-06-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Popcorn Fun Indeed!
This is my final card for the Clear and Simple Stamps dt audition, and it's definitely my favorite out of everything I submitted! In fact, it was this set that really got me fired up about the Clear and Simple Stamps line and led me to their website. It's called "Bucket-o-Popcorn Fun" and it's absolutely YUMMY! You can see it for yourself right here. And for even more fun, there's a companion set to go with it, called "Popcorn Extras" (see it here. And actually, the "Pop on By" phrase comes from that set). I had such fun watercoloring all that popcorn... made me wanna head for the movie theater for the real thing! MY version looks like it was seasoned with kosher salt (or sea salt...whatever the big stuff is called), but instead of heading to the kitchen, I turned to my Rubbermaid tub of full of glitters and found a tube of very coarse, opaque white stuff that I believe came from the kids aisle at Michael's! Whatever works, right?! Here's an up-close shot of the "salt":

Here are the other details on this card (at least the ones I can remember!):

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink "Kraft"; watercolor paper
DP: Basic Grey "Wassail"
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress
Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons
Punches: McGill scallop corner rounder; Fiskars corner scissors (used on the watercolor paper)
Accessories/Embellishments: Pebbles, Inc. "Chocolate Brown" Candy Dots; course white glitter; sewing machine/brown thread; foam adhesive

I can't WAIT to begin posting some sneak peaks for a CSS July release...stay tuned. And thanks for stopping in today!

2009-06-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Tiny Friend
And not only is that ladybug tiny, but also the salutation. One tiny word - friend - up near the top right corner. Normally, I'd have stamped it on its own separate layered piece, but the card has so much going on elsewhere that I just decided to sneak it in there! The salutation, along with the sweet turtle, his ladybug pal & the grass image, are all part of the June Stamp of the Month at Clear Dollar Stamps. It's called "Just Shellin'" and you can check it out right here. Lots of things to do with this set, and I love how the accessories are designed to sit on Mr. Turtle's back!

Here's more card info:

Stamps: Just Shellin' - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: Staz-On Timber Brown; SU Old Olive & Sage Shadow
CS: Gina K Pure Luxury White
DP: K & Company Greenhouse
Markers: Copic #s E71, E77, R21, YG91, YG93, YG95, YR04, YR09
Dies/Punches/Embossing/Stencils: Nestabilities Nested Flowers & Large Octagons; EK Success Swiss Cheese & large embossed scallop (can't find the technical name...sorry!) border punches; Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder; Printworks cloud stencil
Accessories & Embellishments: Foof-a-La by Autumn Leaves (Indian Summer collection) buttons; SU linen thread; Offray ribbon; Ranger Lime Green Stickles glitter glue

Be sure to check out my fellow Clear Dollar Stamps dt friends to see what they've been up to with this versatile set. And a big THANK YOU for dropping in on me!

2009-06-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Lovin' from My Oven
Here's yet another of my entries for the recent dt call at Clear and Simple Stamps. And again I used the Bun in the Oven set, which you can view here. While this awesome set is categorized under "Baby" over at the CSS website, you can have fun with it in so many other ways... that cinnamon bun alone totally makes me smile!

Unfortunately, I failed to write down all my supplies...sorry and UGGGH! But I'll tell you what little I DO remember: The cardstock is SU River Rock, Sage Shadow, and (I think) Rose Romance; the dp is K & Co (again, I think); The dies are Nestabilities Labels Three, Classic Circles, Scallop Circles, Double Ended Tags & Label Trio; Inks are VersaMark watermark & Staz-On Timber Brown; Ribbon is May Arts; Brads are Making Memories; Glitter is Coffee Ice Stickles; Miscellaneous stuff includes corner rounding scissors and foam adhesive. Sorry I can't be any more specific!

I've got one more CSS dt entry I'd like to share with you over the next day or two, and then it's on to brand new CSS cards, and of course Clear Dollar cards, as well! Please stop back...I sure appreciate the visits!

2009-06-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Princess Mouse and Her Rosy Carriage

Another June release from Clear Dollar Stamps: Rosebud Princess (and it's compan-ion set, Rose-bud Scrolls)-check it out here. This set was designed by one of our very own dt members, Shawne Arnold... isn't she soooooooooo talented?! For this card, I bypassed my Copics and grabbed my SU watercolor crayons & paintbrushes. I seriously think I colored about 15 carriages before I was satisfied (but still not thrilled...why can't I recall one darn thing I learned in that watercolor class I took years ago!).

Here are all the other details:

Stamps: Rosebud Princess, Rosebud Scrolls - Clear Dollar Stamps

Cardstock: SU Regal Rose, Gable Green, So Saffron; watercolor paper

DP: A Muse Kitchen Pink (the pink w/white polka-dots)

Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Colorbox white pigment ink (w/SU Winter White embossing powder)

Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons

Dies/Punches/Embossing: Sizzix Bigz Decorative Rectangle Frame; Fiskars oval punch; Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl embossing folder

Accessories & Embellishments: Offray ribbon; Pebbles Inc. Raspberry Candy Dots; paper piercing tool

I can't believe it, but I'm actually going to post a SECOND card this very same day! I hope you'll come back and take a look...

2009-06-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Baby Boy Bun in the Oven
Here's another one of my entries for the Clear & Simple Design Team call. I used their "Bun in the Oven" set, which I am totally in love with...I mean, who can resist that yummy looking cinnamon roll??!? This set also has a retro feel to it, which inspired me to color my stove in that 50's (?) green. Check it out for yourself right here. And I just love how the "It's a Boy" and "It's a Girl" image can fit in the display window of the stove! Just another clever touch among many from this creative company.

Here are some other card details:

Stamps: "Bun in the Oven" - Clear & Simple Stamps Ink: Staz-On Timber Brown Markers: Copic Cardstock: SU Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel DP: Basic Grey "Two Scoops" Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Labels Four; Fiskars Rope border punch; Fiskars corner scissors Ribbon/Trim: Making Memories (green); Fancy Pants (tan lace) Embellishments: Basic Grey glazed brads; Autumn Leaves button Misc. Supplies: SU dimensional glaze; foam adhesive squares

Thanks for checkin' out my blog today. I've got a couple more CSS dt entry cards to post, as well as some Clear Dollar Stamps June release samples to show you over the next few days...hope you'll stop back again soon!

2009-06-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking "Rustic Elegance"?
While rounding up goodies to make this June Rose card (a gorgeous new set from Clear Dollar Stamps...check it out right here), I stumbled upon several sheets of this really cool self-adhesive burlap fabric...guess I've had it for a few years and had forgotten about it (doncha love those kind of surprises?!). At first I thought "hefty frayed burlap with sweet, delicate roses?" But when I layed my matted image on top of the burlap, I just LOVED the contrast (is 'juxtaposition' the proper term?)! So this one is definitely a "think outside the box" card!

And be it my camera or just the nature of the on-line world, but alot of my "outside the box" elements don't show up here in my pic....grrrr! I KNOW my camera is a bit out-of-date and I need to be thinking about a new one, but it's by no means an antique, and I DO use an official, professional light box. So why aren't my details showing up?!?? I would love some advice from any of you seasoned photographers/bloggers out there! But because I took the time to pop up parts of my image AND add raindrops to my roses, I'm posting a close-up anyway, out of focus as it may be:

Can you see the raindrops a little bit on that far flower (near the bottom, popped-up part)?

If you haven't stopped by the Clear Dollar website recently, be sure and make a note to do so... TONS of new goodies released this month and lots of inspiration in the Clear Dollar gallery to go along with your purchases! For more ideas using the June Rose set, check out this page of the gallery. And for even more fun, click on my fellow dt members' blogs listed in my side bar. With all these ideas & inspiration, you're sure to put your papercrafting mojo in high gear!

Now for the details on this card:

Stamps: June Rose - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: VersaColor "Pinecone" pigment ink (w/Stampendous Clear Detail embossing powder); Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress ink
Markers: Copic #YR24 (w/airbrush system)
Coloring Medium: Tattered Angel Glimmer Mists: Coral, Lemon Zest, Lily Pad, Tiger Lily, Pearl (for back-
ground paper); PrismaColor colored pencils & mineral spirits (for coloring rose image)
Cardstock: SU Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, Bravo Burgundy
Specialty Papers: The Paper Palette self-adhesive burlap fabric; creme vellum
Dies/Punches: Nestabilities Small Labels & Labels Four; Martha Stewart Cornice edge punch; Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder
Embellishments: SU "Antique Brass" Hodgepodge Hardware; Offray "Old Gold" ribbon; Gartner "Champaigne" gemstones
Misc. Supplies: SU dimensional glaze (for raindrops on roses!); raised adhesive glue dots; paper piercing tool

If you haven't stopped by the Clear Dollar website recently, be sure and make a note to do so... TONS of new goodies released this month, and lots of inspiration in the Clear Dollar gallery to go along with your purchases! For more ideas using the June Rose set, check out this page of the gallery. And for even more fun, click on my fellow dt members' blogs listed in my side bar. With all these ideas & inspiration, you're sure to bump your papercrafting mojo into high gear!

Thanks for visiting today...Be back soon with more card featuring more Clear Dollar June releases!

2009-06-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's New Release Day at Clear and Simple Stamps!

Head on over and check out the "At Home" Collection, plus other fun new sets! Here are the links that will take you directly to the brand new goodies:

Real Estate Darling
Delivery Gent
Home
We've Moved
House Notes
Live Life
Freedom

And for some creative inspiration, check out my fellow dt members who have been busy with these latest additions to the Clear and Simple Stamps line:

Lori
Nicole
Nancy
Maria
Beth

And of course don't forget the company blog, as well! Happy shopping and even happier stamping, everyone!

2009-06-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Big Happy News!
I am soooooo thrilled to announce today that I was picked to be on the Clear and Simple Stamps design team! If you're not familiar with this wonder- ful company and their clean but oh-so-fun images, go check 'em out...like, NOW! Over the next couple days I'll be posting projects I made in answer to the design team call. I hope they'll inspire you to consider adding some Clear and Simple Stamps to your inventory! And please be sure to check out my side bar for a complete linked listing of all the CSS dt members...these talented ladies are sure to further spark your interest in these fantastic images and give your creative spirit a good shake-up!

My first project for the dt call was this altered Altoids tin gift-card holder (with a surprise twist!), and it features the "Make a Wish" set, which you can see in full here. I just HAD to incorporate my favorite phrase from the set in my design, and that's where the surprise comes in...BIRTHDAY CANDLES! Here's a look at the inside:

And here's the rest of the recipe:

Stamps: "Make a Wish" - Clear and Simple Stamps Ink: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress Markers: Copic Glitter/Dimensional Paint: Ranger "Orange Peel" Stickles (applied to candle flame); Plaid Shiny "Brown" Dimensional Fabric Paint (applied to sprinkles) DP: DCWV "Nana's Kitchen" slab Decoupage Medium: Plaid Mod Podge (matte) Dies/Punches: Nestabilities "Labels One"; Marvy scallop circle punches Trim: Making Memories (green); Cosmo Cricket (red velvet) Misc. Tools: Corner rounder; paper piercer

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with another creation or two...I'm so excited to be part of Clear and Simple Stamps!!!

2009-06-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Berry Bug!
Seems I've developed a thing for blackberries lately...saw a recipe in the latest issue of Southern Living magazine for Blackberry Cornbread which I hope to make - along with another SL recipe, Summer Iced Tea, which has a fun citrus/tropical kick to it - and serve to a couple friends on my back patio early next week (quick, before school lets out and the hectic summer rush begins and visits with grown-up girls will be few & far between!). So in honor of my blackberry bug, I just had to make a card to fit the mood! And no need to burst my bubble by telling me these are actually RASP-berries...I wish to remain in denial for the sake of my art!

This is my second card using the "Fruity Fun" stamp set, released last month by Clear Dollar Stamps. It's filled with all kinds of fruit, lots of coordinating phrases and of course, the requisite fruit bowl! And be sure to check out the Clear Dollar Idea Gallery for more card samples showcasing this and all of Clear Dollar's awesome sets!

Details for this card:

Stamps: Fruity Fun- Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: SU Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Garden Green; Staz-On Timber Brown; Ranger Antique Linen Distress
Cardstock: SU Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Garden Green, Kraft
Punches/Templates: Marvy Scallop Circle punches; Martha Stewart Double Scallop edge punch; EK Success Scalloped Scallop edge punch; Ornare paper-piercing template/piercing tool
Embellishments: Offray ribbon; Stickles Lavender glitter glue; Barbara Trombley's Sea Sprite Vintage Glass
Glitter
Misc. Tools/Supplies: Foam adhesive; paper distresser tool

I'll be posting cards using brand-spankin' new June releases from Clear Dollar real soon. In the meantime, check out my fellow dt members' blogs/galleries (listed in my sidebar) for their creative interpretations of these new sets. And you'll find the sets themselves available for purchase right now at the CDS webstore. Thanks for checking in with me & my ramblings!

2009-05-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

A Blinged & Bejeweled Birthday!
Ok, so I went a little overboard with the shiny & sparkly stuff, but I think it suits this dainty little "mouselett" all decked out in her high heels & swing dress! She is part of a set released May 1 from Clear Dollar Stamps called "Biggest Wishes". You can see another card on which I used this set, as well as a list of my fellow dt members who also worked with it, by scrolling backwards through my blog about three posts. Now, here are the finer points of this card:

Stamps: "Biggest Wishes" - Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: Colorbox "Chocolate" pigment ink (w/Stampendous Detail Clear embossing powder); SU "Garden Green" dye ink
Markers: Copic #sC1, C3, E77, E79, G29, G82, R12, R21, V01, V04, V12, V17, W1, W5, W9, Y38, YG67 (w/airbrush)
Cardstock: SU "Elegant Eggplant", "Whisper White"
DP: DCWV "Latte" Matstack
Dies & Punches: Nestabilities Curved Rectangles; Martha Stewart Doily Lace edge punch; McGill scallop corner punch; Marvy scallop circle punches
Embellishments: Offray ribbon; Stamping Bella green crackle flatbacks & purple pebbles; Prima flower

And now...I am pleased to announce that sneak peaks for Clear Dollar Stamps' June sets (yes, already!) will begin on May 28 and run through the 31st. Please visit the following Sneak Peak Designers' blogs/galleries during those dates for some great eye candy sure to stir up your creative juices:

Sarah
Katie
Kim
Shawne
Linda

I'll have a couple more cards using May releases, then get right to work on MY June samples which will be sprinkle-posted throughout the month. And one of these days it would be nice to make a random, unscheduled card or two...just don't know where all the times goes (that, and I think I've got some adult ADHD issues...seriously, sometimes my craftroom seems about as approachable as Mt. Everest...yeesh!). Till next time, enjoy your week!

2009-05-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

I Love Whitespace (or Greenspace...or Kraftspace...)
Or technically, plain old EMPTY space! On a card, that is. I'm really becoming drawn to layouts that have all the elements concentrated in a single area, with a lot of openness elsewhere on which the eye can rest. I realize this card doesn't quite apply, but for me it's a step in the right direction! And I'll keep working on it...it's so easy to go into overload mode w/stamps & embellishments... you have the feeling that you should add "just one more thing" before you can call it "Finished". But I'm gonna really try hard to think ahead and put the brakes on in favor of simplicity and, hopefully, greater impact with the less-is-more philo-sophy! For this card, I'm proud to showcase Clear Dollar Stamp's May Stamp-of-the-Month, "Walk in the Park" and also another May release set, "Words of Gratitude". Here are the other elements:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink "Kraft"; SU "Chocolate Chip" and "Garden Green"
Ink: VersaMagic chalk inks: "Tea Leaves", "Sage", "Niagara Mist", "Hint of Pesto", "Gingerbread"; Colorbox chalk ink: "Chestnut Roan"
Dies & Punches: Nestabilities Long Classic Rectangles Large; Marvy scallop circle punches; Cuttlebug scallop circle die
Ribbon: Offray (green grosgrain); Making Memories Paperie (brown gingham)
Brads: Creative Imaginations velvet
Misc. Tools: Sewing machine (w/brown thread); paper-piercing tool; foam adhesive

Be sure to check out some of the other Clear Dollar dt members who sampled these versatile sets:

Laurie
Candy
Kim
Linda

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I'll be back in a day or two with another take on the new "Biggest Wishes" set...I hope you'll stop back to have a look!

2009-05-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

It's Straw-berry Season!

Or so I thought...until I walked into the local Giant Eagle today to find that the "2 for $3.98" deal was nixed, sometime since last Friday. Now you only get one container for that price -boohoo. Oh well... here's a big, juicy bowl for FREE, made from a new set from Clear Dollar Stamps, "Fruity Fun", released earlier this month. Check out my fellow dt members who showcased this set for tons of sweet inspiration:

Details on my card:

Stamps: "Fruity Fun" - Clear Dollar Stamps

Ink: Brilliance "Pearlescent Ivy", "Pearlescent Poppy", "Pearlescent Coral", "Pearlescent Lime" & "Mediterranean Blue"; Staz-On "Timber Brown"

Markers: Copic #E55 (w/airbrush system)

Cardstock: SU "Certainly Celery", "Ballet Blue", "Very Vanilla"

DP: A Muse "Kitchen Green"; Graphic45 "Fashionista" collection

Dies, Punches & Templates: Nestabilities Large Classic Squares; Marvy oval scallop punches; Fiskars "Diamond" border punch; Martha Stewart "Floral Lace" border punch; Ornare paper-piercing template & piercing tool

Ribbon: Offray

Glitter & Embellishments: Ranger "Worn Lipstick" Stickles; Memory Box self-adhesive pearls (red)

Here is a (slightly blurry, sorry) close-up of the berry bowl. As you can tell, I used varying layers of foam adhesive (one layer for some of the berries, two for the bowl).

Thank you for stopping by! I hope a wonderful week was had by all. Please come back later in the weekend for another card or two!

2009-05-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Towering Cakes, a la Dr. Seuss!
I just LOVE this fun & oh-so-whimsical cake image! All the swirls & polka-dots put me in mind of a Dr. Seuss illustration, and I think the fact that I positioned them so cockeyed adds to that "Seussy" feel! Actually, the cake is part of a larger image (which I'll showcase in a later post), from of a new set called "Biggest Wishes" out this month from Clear Dollar Stamps. And I just learned that this set was designed by my fellow dt member, Shawne Arnold...what a talented illustrator she is! Be sure to check out my fellow dt members who also worked with this new set:

Candy
Angela
Tori
Cassie
Gloria
Joan
And the illustrator herself...
Shawne

Here are the details of my card:

Stamps: "Biggest Wishes" from Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink: Staz-On "Timber Brown", Colorbox "Chocolate" pigment ink
Embossing Powder: Stampendous Detail Clear
Cardstock: SU Kiwi Kiss
DP: W R Memory Keepers "Tiffany's" Collection
Markers: Copic #s B00 (w/airbrush system), BG11, BG13, BG18, E70, E71, E74, E79, W3, W7, YG01, YG21, YG25, YG95
Dies & Punches: Spellbinders Nestabilities "Labels One"; Martha Stewart "Arch Lattice" edge punch
Glitter: Ranger Stickles: Distress "Vintage Photo", "Turquoise", "Lime Green"
Ribbon: Close to My Heart Crystal Blue organdy

Thanks for visiting! Stop back soon for more Clear Dollar May release cards!

2009-04-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

A Dear Deer!
This card answers TWO challenges: The first is to use pink and green together, as issued by Laurie Wilson, our Clear Dollar Stamps dt leader. The second is this past week's sketch challenge over at SCS (SC225). Plus, this is my final card showcasing Clear Dollar's April releases. Be sure to check them out at the CDS webstore! And check out the following dt members who have begun posting MAY sneak peaks:

Laurie

Candy

Katie

Kim

Linda

Tori

Angela

Cassie

I can't WAIT to get started crafting my May cards! For now, here are the details on this posting:

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Woodland Critters" & "Picket Fence"

Inks: Staz-On Jet Black; SU Rose Romance

Markers: Copic #s B06 & YR65 (w/airbrush), E00, E33, E34, E37, E71, E74, G14, RV11, RV13, RV29, W1, W3, W5, W7

Cardstock: SU Rose Red, Mint Medley, Chocolate Chip

DP: Scrapworks "Lucky in Love" Collection

Dies/Punches/Embossing Folders: Nestabilities Tiny Tags die; McGill scallop corner punch; Creative Memories corner rounder; Cuttlebug Floral Screen embossing folder

Embellishments: Offray ribbon; Michael's self-adhesive pearls; Foof-a-La by Autumn Leaves button; SU linen floss

Thanks for stopping by...It's very "deer" of you!!!

2009-04-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

Dirt Ridin' Dude
Well, it's the last week of April, but here in western PA, it feels more like the last week of July...it's officially 87 degrees and the sun is out in full force. Seems we skipped right over Spring again this year! And surprise, surprise, our A/C is on the fritz...I actually worked up a sweat finishing up the last of this month's Clear Dollar cards. Which brings me to this first one, which uses the "Dirt Rides" set (check it out here). One of our challenges this month from our design team leader Laurie (check out her awesome blog!) was to make a card using no patterned paper. Thanks to dies and embossing folders, this wasn't too difficult! Here's the fine print:

Stamps: "Dirt Rides" from Clear Dollar Stamps
Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Walnut Stain" Distress
Cardstock: SU Kraft, Garden Green & Old Olive
Dies/Embossing Folders: Sizzix Originals "Tree, Pine"; Spellbinders Nestabilities "Small Labels"; Cuttlebug "Distressed Stripes" and "Shell Collage"
Embellishments: SU "Aged Copper" Hodgepodge Hardware (brads & label frame); Foof-a-La by Autumn Leaves buttons; SU linen floss; yarn

In just a little while I'll post my final CDS card for the month (unless I get lucky and can get another one done!), this time featuring the "Woodland Critters" set...so stay tuned, and thanks for stopping by!

2009-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Clear Dollar Stamps is Critter Heaven!
Introduc-ing "Wood-land Critters" from Clear Dollar Stamps. With this latest release of adorable animals, Clear Dollar is definitely the place to go for just about any critter image imaginable! From the zoo to the farm to the forest, they've got a creature for every possible occasion (and sentiments to match!).

My sample today is an everyday friendship card, and boy, was this a fun one to make...I got to use a couple of the most playful embellishments in the papercrafter's tool/toy box: Fun Flock and Stickles!!! Here's the whole story:

Stamps: "Woodland Critters" - Clear Dollar Stamps

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black; Ranger "Tea Dye" Distress

Markers: Copic #s E04, R21, W1, W3, W5, W7, W9 and #BG72 (w/airbrush system)

Cardstock: Bazzill

DP: W R Memory Keepers "Coppered Out" Collection

Dies/Punches: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 3, Large Standard Circles; Sizzix Originals - Leaves; Martha Stewart Border Punch - Embossed ZigZag; EK Success - photo corner punch; micro hole punch

Ribbon: SU Ribbon Originals - "District"

Embellishments: Ranger "Lime Ice" Ice Stickles; SU "Batty Black" Fun Flock; The Robin's Nest "Waterfall" Dew Drops

Here's a close-up of my little raccoon...along with the Fun Flock for fur, notice how I popped up the different "levels" of his face for more dimension.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend...I am looking forward to a quiet week ahead filled with LOTS of stamping (hubby is traveling this week, so it's cereal for dinner for the kids & I...well, maybe for ONE night at least!). So please stop back for more critter sitings!

2009-04-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

April Stamps from Clear Dollar!
First, let me say how disappointed I am with this card! I fought & fought, cut & pasted, twisted & turned...but still, it was one of those cards that I just couldn't get right. And it's too bad because this set, "Dirt Rides" is a really awesome set. Great for boy scrap-book pages & cards, you really need to check it out for yourself here. And now for the "dirt" on the card (in case there's something you like!):

Stamps: "Dirt Rides", Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger "Faded Denim" Distress
Markers: Copics #B06, B12, B14, B39, C3, C5, R05, R08, W5, W7, W9, Y35, Y38. Also: Copic Airbrush System for image background with #YR09
Cardstock: SU Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
DP: W R Memory Keepers "Explore" from "White Out" Collection (orange mat)
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Classic Squares
Ribbon: Bo-Bunny "Play All Day" Collection
Eyelets: Making Memories
Jumbo Grommet: Making Memories
Misc. Tools: Making Memories Paper Distressor

You can't tell from the photo, but I popped up the upper front section of the jeep using foam adhesive for some dimension, and for the tires, I stamped them on some brown dp (same collection as listed above) then cut them out and put them over the original image. Luckily, I've got another card already waiting in the wings, so you can move on to something a little easier on the eye (but do check out this great set over at the Clear Dollar Stamps webstore)!

2009-04-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

Rainy Day Friend
You may have met her before, decked out in her cowboy hat & ready to ride, but here she is waitin' for all those April showers ahead... complete with her striped umbrella and rubber rain boots (or mucklucks. Or galloshes. Or whatever you call them!). In fact, that's the name of this brand spankin' new set from Clear Dollar Stamps: "Charliene April Showers". Visit the link and check out the complete set, along with some other great cards to get you inspired! Now here's the "downpour" (yikes...that's BAD!) on this card:

Stamps: Clear Dollar "Charliene April Showers"
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Ranger "Walnut Stain" Distress
Cardstock: Bazzill
DP: Autumn Leaves "Manhattan" collection
Markers: Copics #BG000, BG10, BG15, C3, C7, R21, R39, W1, W3, W5, W7, YG11, YG17, YG41
Trims/Embellishments: Fancy Pants Designs "Fancy-Free" collection; Foof-a-La/Autumn Leaves button; Autumn Leaves "Manhattan" collection bezel brads
Dies/Punches/Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Ovals Large, Tags 5; Martha Stewart Lattice Arch Border Punch; sewing machines/green thread

Hard to tell in the pic, but I popped up the umbrella top and the rain boots with foam adhesive for dimensional purposes. Next it's on to another new April set, so please stop back again soon!

2009-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Craftin' Up a Classic!
Before I get started showin' off Clear Dollar Stamp's brand new April releases, I just HAD to make a card using a set that's been out for awhile now, "Cruisin' Classic"...a set that's sure to be a classic itself! Check out all the images this set contains, as well as my fellow design team members' fabulous samples using them, right here!

Card details:
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Cruisin' Classic"
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Ranger "Walnut Stain" & "Spiced Marmalade" Distress
Cardstock: Bazzill
DP: Basic Grey "Marrakech"
Dies/Embossing: Spellbinders Nestabililties Large Classic Circles; Cuttlebug "Traffic Jam" Embossing Folder
Brads: Jo-Ann (screwtop)

Wow...don't think I've ever used so FEW products on a card! And now it's on to some April releases...stay tuned!

2009-03-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

One Last Hurrah with March Releases
Here's my last card (for now at least) using a March release from Clear Dollar Stamps, "Moose Friends". This little guy - and his bigger relative - are such fun to play with! And the best part is that the antlers are a separate image so you can angle them any way you want, or even omit them altogether for a less-than-manly moose! For this card, I added a touch of tan Fun Flock to those antlers (isn't there a bit of fur on them irl?). And I even managed to fit a scs challenge into this one...this week's color challenge (#211), which is Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. Here's the whole scoop:

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Moose Friends"
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black
Markers: Copic #s B00, BG02, BG05, E11, E13, E15, E25, E29, RV32, RV34, W1, YG17, YG21, YG23
Cardstock: SU Baja Breeze
DP: My Mind's Eye Penny Lane collection
Embellishments: My Mind's Eye scallop-circle die cut; SU Fun Flock; Offray ribbon; K&CO Margo collection adhesive pearls; spiral clip
Dies/Punches/Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Standard Circles; Fiskars Threading Water border punch; Fiskars scallop paper edgers; EK Success corner rounder; foam adhesive

And now it's on to April's releases! Be sure to click on the links to my fellow dt members' blogs/galleries (located in my sidebar) throughout the coming days for some awesome sneak peaks. Then stay tuned throughout the month for lots more inspiration and eye candy. Thanks for stopping by!

2009-03-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's Not Sloppy, It's Shabby-Chic!
My sew-ing, that is! I finally broke down and bought a sewing machine because I can no longer deny what a really awesome touch a sewn edge gives to that certain card with that certain set of stamps. In fact, one of Clear Dollar Stamps' new releases, Ageless Antiques, is the perfect example of a sew-friendly set! For this card, I used the antique lamp and went crazy with the sewing machine (please don't look too close...I haven't got the concept of a "straight line" down yet! Oh well, it adds to the whole shabby-chic feel, no?). I love the openness of the lampshade...it just screams to be stamped on patterned paper (which I did, and on 3 separate patterns, which I then cut out and stuck on with foam adhesive... check out the close-up). Other details:

Stamps: Clear Dollar
Stamps - Ageless Antiques
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Ranger Antique Linen Distress
Markers: Copics #R39, R81, R85, W1, W3
Other Color Medium: Pebbles Inc. Shimmer Chalks (gold above & under lampshades)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Whisper White
DP: Basic Grey - Infuse collection
Dies/Punches: Spellbinders Nestabilities Blossom, Double-Ended Tags, Tiny Tags; Fiskars Give It a Swirl border punch
Embellishments: May Arts pink velvet and plaid ribbon; Prima velvet flowers; Making Memories brads (black); Lasting Impressions brad (matte olive); sewing machine/green thread

Well, a couple more cards with March-release stamps, then it'll be on to April's...where DOES the time go? See you soon, and in the meantime, Happy First-Day-of-Spring!

2009-03-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Got Tractor?
That's the name of this fun new set, released this month, from Clear Dollar Stamps that I've been keepin' busy with (see my previous post). This time it's the front-loader on display. Wouldn't it be fun to keep this phrase and color the tractor pink & red come Valentine's Day?! I pulled out my cloud stencil again...it's so addictive, I covered the entire piece of paper in no time (watch out, walls!). And I think it makes such a clean, professional background. To make the dirt hills, I simply cut partial circles from SU's Close to Cocoa cardstock, then rounded the corners and sponged the edges with walnut ink. Another design note: You can't tell in the photo, but I popped up the shovel portion of the tractor, as well as the front & rear wheels (and that bumper thingy above the back wheel). Now here's the rest of what's what:

Stamps: Clear Dollar - Got Tractor
Ink: Staz-On Timber Brown; SU Tempting Turquoise; Ranger Antique Linen Distress
Markers: Copic #R14, R17, W1, W3, W5, W7, YR21, YR23, YR24
Cardstock: SU More Mustard & Close to Cocoa
DP: Piggy Tales Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Trio & Tag Shapes 3
Embellishments: Offray ribbon; K&Co Metal Art leather-backed brad; SU antique brass brad; Printworks cloud stencil

Coming up: A sample using another new March release, Ageless Antiques. Thanks for taking a look and have a wonderful weekend!

2009-03-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

Another Challenge Card - SCS SC219
And another new release from Clear Dollar Stamps called "Got Tractor". This set is sooooo much fun...in addition to this old country farm tractor image, you get a cons- truction/ front-loader tractor, a couple sets of tire tracks and some awesome senti- ments. Check it out under the "New Product in March" category on the Clear Dollar website sidebar! Now here's the dirt on my card:

Stamps: Got Tractor - Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink: Colorbox black pigment (used with Ranger Superfine
Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons
Clear emboss. powder); Ranger Distress Walnut Stain
Cardstock: Bazzill (card base); SU Kiwi Kiss, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel; creme watercolor paper
DP: My Mind's Eye Distressed Harlequin & Sidewalk Stripes from the Front Porch Fresh Linens Collection
Dies: Nestabilities Lables Two & Classic Circles; Cuttlebug Tiny Tags
Ribbon: Offray Olive Drab grosgrain; May Arts brown stripe
Accessories & Embellishments: SU jumbo pewter eyelet; pewter brads & mini brads; Tim Holtz Trinket Pin
Tools: Paper-piercer; paper distresser tool

I really hope to get another card done today...but the laundry is piling up, the gym awaits, and my entire evening will be taken up with my daughter's 4-H meeting (takes more time just getting there than the meeting itself...arghh!), but my hopes and motivation are high, so we'll see! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Monday

2009-03-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Takin' a Challenge...Finally!

The Clear Dollar Stamp's color challenge as posted on Paper Craft Planet. This week's hostess is Laurie Wilson and the colors she chose are Stampin' Up's Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Black, and then either creme or white for a neutral. The twist with Clear Dollar's color challenges are that they take place over a weekend, and I'm happy to say I met the deadline with an entire 30 minutes to spare! Check in at Paper Craft Planet late Friday afternoon for next weekend's challenge and play along!

Stamps: Kitchen Clutter - JUST RELEASED from Clear Dollar Stamps

Cardstock: SU Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Basic Black; Papertrey Ink Stampers' Select White

DP: SU (from '06...not sure of the collection name)

Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; SU Certainly Celery, So Safron

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Ovals, Scallop Rectangles; Cuttlebug 2" x 2" Slides

Punches: Fiskars Sunburst Border; EK Success Curved Photo Corner

Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Floral Fantasy

Ribbon: May Arts (green stripe); Making Memories (b&w gingham)

Other: Hero Arts Light Green Accent Pearls

How do you like my "suds"? I was so excited with how these turned out! It's those little things in life, right?! I hope your weekend was full of LOTS of those little things and that your week ahead will be, too! Come back tomorrow for a card I did for another challenge: Last Wednesday's SCS sketch, featuring more new Clear Dollar stamps!

2009-03-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Treasured Memories
Happy Wednes-day... already! Where has the first half of the week gone anyway?!? I'm super-short on time, so I won't ramble much today. Oh, and speaking of rambling, you probably noticed I changed the name of my little blog...I figure I blabber so much with all my posts that "Paperamblings" was a much more appropriate name! I hope you'll make a note of it and continue to visit me at my new "home"! Ok, on to the card details:

Stamps: Ageless Antiques (brand new this month from Clear Dollar Stamps...AWESOME)
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Ranger Distress "Antique Linen"
Color Medium: SU watercolor crayons
Cardstock: SU Kraft
DP: Cosmo Cricket "Hello Sunshine" paper pad; October Afternoon "KM Building" from the "Hometown" Collection
Dies: Nestabilities Labels Four; Sizzix Butterfly & Bee (for the black flourishes)
Embellishments: K&Co fabric brads; K&Co rhinestones; JHB buttons; Michael's ribbon; Making Memories trim

I think that wraps it up! I hope to get another card or two done today ("today" now being Thursday!) with MORE new March releases from Clear Dollar, so please stop back!

2009-03-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Moose on the Loose!

Here's a card made from another March 1 release from Clear Dollar Stamps. This one's called "Moose Friends" and in addition to being totally adorable it's also super versatile...and like ALL of Clear Dollar's stamps, it's a tremendous value: 13 stamps, including 8 sentiments, for $7.99. And if there are any of you still left out there who haven't worked with them yet (living under a rock, maybe...hee, hee!), you should know they are high-quality and stamp out a nice, clean image every time! Well, that's my sales pitch for today. Now on to the card details:

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Moose Friends"

CS: Papertrey Ink "Stampers Choice White"; SU "Gable Green", "Riding Hood Red", "Chocolate Chip"

DP: Scenic Route; DaisyD

Inks: Staz-On "Jet Black"; Ranger Distress "Broken China", "Peeled Paint", "Walnut Stain"

Markers: Copics

Dies: Nestabilities Large Classic Circles; Labels One

Ribbon: Offray "Lemongrass"; Making Memories Paperie "Mocha"

Embellishments: Pebbles, Inc. Candy Dots "White"; Ranger Distress Stickles "Worn Lipstick", "Vintage Photo"

Tools & Supplies: Printworks Cloud Stencil; Fiskars Border Punch "Threading Water"; foam adhesive

Unfortunately, you don't get the glitter effect of the Stickles on this sweet guy's cheeks, antlers & hooves (maybe with my next camera!). To make the grassy hill, I cut & embossed a label the same size as the cloudy background but this time from the green cardstock, cut out the bottom half along a curvy line, then sponged the edges with the "Peeled Paint" Distress Ink. And everything else, I think, is obvious!

Thanks for checking in with me today...I hope to be back tomorrow with a third creation using yet another March release set from Clear Dollar. In the meantime, I'm gonna try & stay warm...it's gonna get down to nearly ZERO tonight here in Western PA. WHERE is Spring??!?

2009-03-02T08:18:00.000-08:00

My New Favorite from Clear Dollar Stamps - Kitchen Clutter
I just LOVE this brand new set from Clear Dollar Stamps, "Kitchen Clutter"! And not just because I love all things home-y (food, furniture, even appliances, of which there is one included with this set), but particularly because that sugar/creamer set you see on my card here is a dead-on replica of that made by Fiestaware! Don't even get me started on my Fiesta collection...it's waaaay over the top (just ask my DH!). In fact, rather than ramble on as I normally do when I'm excited about something, I'll post a photo for ya (and then ramble only a little!). But let's discuss the card details first...

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink "Berry Sorbet", "Sweet Blush", "Ocean Tides", "Aqua Mist" & "Stampers Select White"

DP: Kaisercraft "Waterberry" collection

Ink: Staz-On "Timber Brown"

Markers: Copics

Dies: Nestabilities Classic Squares & Scallop Squares

Brads: Kaisercraft "Waterberry"

To make the "Tea" label on the canister, I stamped the canister a second time on one of the dp's, cut out only the label portion and adhered it over its corresponding spot on the original canister. And to add dimension to the jar, I applied a layer of Crystal Effects on everything but the label. Oh, and to give the whole card a bit more depth (& to get everything to fit!), I popped up that center square with foam adhesive tape. And one last note, this card is based on SCS217 (last week's sketch challenge).

Please check out my fellow dt members' designs using this super-cute set and visit the Clear Dollar webstore today to get going on your own homemade and home-y cards! And now for the Fiesta photo:

See? Isn't that the coolest, how closely it matches the stamp?! Hey, it's fun to get excited about the little things (though now that I look at it, I should have colored my teapot pink and the cream/sugar image turquoise...oh well)! Anyhow, if you're a Fiesta fanatic like me, you know it's all about the COLORS, and boy have they had TONS over the years. Now I don't collect the vintage stuff...it's so costly that I couldn't bear to let my children handle it (and besides, it would take too big a chunk of my papercrafting money!!!). All my pieces are considered Contemporary Fiesta (post-1986) and still I have at least a dozen...every year they intro a new shade and my gf and I have such fun trying to guess what color might be next. And we are soooooooooo lucky because the factory where Fiesta is made is just about an hour down the road from us...we head down that way (Newell, WV) several times a year to buy the latest color and add to our collection by shopping in the "seconds" room (reminder to self: wear old clothes and take a dust rag!).

So a little extra yadda-yadda to go along with my card post today! But when I saw this sugar/creamer stamp image I almost peed my pants and couldn't get my hands on it fast enough...just another "sign" that I'm meant to be working with Clear Dollar Stamps - fun and easy-to-work-with images that are right up my alley (or housewares aisle, if you will...wink!). Thanks for stopping by and please visit again later in the week for more Clear Dollar cards.

2009-02-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

Back on the Team!

I am so thrilled to announce that effective March 1, I am back on the Clear Dollar Stamps Design Team!!! Thanks so very much to owner Lori McCroskey and DT Leader Laurie Wilson for welcom-ing me back as "Release Month Designer"...this means I get to make samples of the current month's stamp releases all month long and share them with you for (hopefully!) some ideas and inspiration! Not only do I get to play with the world's best stamps and work along side some of the most talented designers in the business (check out my fellow dt members' creations...their galleries and blogs are listed in my sidebar), but I'm back to posting on a more regular basis (and after many false starts, it's about time!)...it will be so great to be back in the land of the (papercrafting) living!!!

So the card here is my official "comeback" effort, using one of Clear Dollar Stamp's new March releases, "Old Time Church". I kept the concept simple here, as the image is large and detailed and beautiful on its own! A little watercoloring and some gorgeous new papers from My Mind's Eye and I was done. The dirt:

Stamps: "Old Time Church" set from Clear Dollar Stamps

Cardstock: Watercolor paper; Bazzill (an olive-y green, though I don't have the specific name)

DP: "French Flea Market" papers from My Mind's Eye "BellaBella" Collection

Inks: Staz-On "Timber Brown"; Ranger Distress Ink "Tea Dye"

Color Medium: Stampin' Up watercolor crayons

Label Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities "Labels Four"

Stay tuned over the next day or so for my next card, which uses another Clear Dollar March release, "Kitchen Clutter"...it's waaaaaaaaaaaay too cute! Thanks for stopping by and have a peaceful Sunday and a wonderful week ahead!

2009-01-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Saying Good-Bye to Christ-mas '08 This was the first Christmas in about the last TEN that I didn't make our family Christmas card. The focal point is always a picture of my daughter & son, but I incorporate stamping/ papercrafting around it. What a feeling of pride & accomplishment I have when I put that huge stack of envelopes in the mailbox (complete with a Christmas postage stamp, of course!). And it's not long thereafter that those sweet compliments start coming in from family, friends, and even a few of my husband's work associates! I mean, making my own cards is "what I do"...it's ME.

But I realized long before this year's Christmas rush that I didn't have the necessary "creative juices" to design anything that I'd be sufficiently satisfied with...that I felt would "live up to" past years' creations (here comes that pressure again!). But guess what? It's all good! I learned that the world did not end because I didn't hand-craft my own cards! And we ended up with a great card anyway, thanks to the photographer who takes pictures at my daughter's horse shows. So I guess this is yet another lesson in my personal life course (and maybe yours, too) called "Don't Let Your Hobby Become Your Burden".

I DO miss those compliments though!

And since I wasn't overwhelmed with the task of making 60-some cards en masse, I had the time, freedom and incentive just to PLAY with some Christmas goodies, and this card is the result. I felt like a kid again on Christmas morning using all this color (Copics) and glitter (at least FIVE different Stickles colors, including Coffee Ice, Copper, Aqua, Cotton Candy, and Frosted Lace)! Other stuff: Lizzie Anne Designs "Holiday Lane" stamp set, Bazzill cardstock, My Mind's Eye "Laundry Line" dp, Spellbinders Megabilities dies (Curved Rectangles set), my new fave embellishment, Glitter Dots by Stamping Bella (on the corners of the cream panel - these are the "Green Tea" color), and Ranger Adirondack "Cranberry" Dimensional Pearls acrylic paint. Here's another view of the card from a different angle:

Happy New Year to all and I hope to be posting again soon!

2008-12-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

Last of Autumn, First of Winter
A few more shots from a fading autumn landscape, plus another document-ing the arrival of our Christmas cardinal a few weeks back. God's creations from His craftroom we call Earth are a feast for my eyes, and everytime I am lucky enough to find a new piece of His artwork (which is ALL the time) - whether it's something as simple and straightforward as this fading berry with its golden leaves, or a vision as complex and breathtaking as the Grand Canyon - I am filled with such hope and peace, and the feeling that no matter what trials and tribulations we may be facing, no matter how difficult life can get. ALL IS TRULY RIGHT in the big scheme of things.

Sappy? Maybe, but it truly is how I feel! And I am so blessed to be living in a part of the country where the changing of the seasons is so evi-dent... Observing the cycle of life in nature is another faith-affirming experience for me. Now I know I'm veer-ing off the paper-crafting path with these "Faith & Nature" essays, but I would love to get some feedback on this...Am I in the minority when it comes to feeling that these simple, everyday images - images that are surrounding us in abundance but that we take for granted if we even notice them at all - are anything but miraculous and stunning!?

2008-12-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

A Break from All Things Christ-mas!
Well, I TRIED to get back to the blog-ging world but appar-ently, it didn't take! As I was just telling my cyber friend, Jeannie (please visit her awesome blog), sometimes the pressure to create "that perfect card" is just too much! There is SUCH tremendous talent out there in the paper-crafting/stamping world, and sometimes trying to "keep up with the (crafting) Joneses" simply becomes over-whelming...what is supposed to be a fun HOBBY and a BREAK from work and pressure and the everyday world turns into a BURDEN. In fact, I find that lately I do everything BUT go down-stairs to my craftroom (yes, I even resort to folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher rather than turning to my paper and ink...how sad is THAT?!). So for now, until I get over this "I am not worthy" rut, I'm just gonna take things day by day and create and post as my perfectionism allows (Do I feel a New Year's resolution coming on?!).

And in addition to "the rut", there is also the hustle & bustle of the Holidays to contend with...I am well underway with decorating, shopping, and even wrapping, but there's still loads to be done, and I'd like to get there in time to actually ENJOY the season and bask in all the joys and festivities, the sacredness and family time, that the Christmas season is SUPPOSED to bring! So since I've been working hard to reach this goal, as well as hoping to over-come the aforementioned rut, I stepped away from all things Christmas (and all COLORS red & green and gold & silver) to make this little "Get Well" card!

Now for details: This adorable little lamb (as well as the heart and the sentiment) is from Saltbox Studio's (a division of A Muse) "Sheep" set, and I began by stamping him in "Timber Brown" Staz-On ink on a corner-rounded white panel, followed by the phrase just under the little guy's tummy, and then a line of hearts below that. For coloring, I used Copics in the Red-Violet and Warm Gray families. The hearts got a little dose of "Frosted Lace" Stickles, and for dimension, I popped on several of my new fave embellishment, Bella Dots from Stamping Bella (this color is called "Glitter Pink Orchid"). Next, I used one of my scalloped rectangle Nestabilities on a piece of old pink gingham patterned paper (The Paper Patch) to create a mat for our wooly fella, and before attaching him to the card base (Bazzill's "Scout" color, topped with two patterned panels from Imagination Project's "She Wears Pink" collection), I ran a strip of Bazzill's "Hot Pink" cardstock through my Cuttlebug using the "Swirls" embossing folder and attached it vertically and left of center, as you can see in the pic. Oh, and I used Martha Stewart's "Cornice" border punch on one of the patterned pieces and also rounded several corners here & there! Finally, a length of two-tone organdy ribbon from May Arts & a couple scraps of super-thin center-stitched pink ribbon (also May Arts, I believe) finish it all off!

Thanks for stopping by and checking in...I HOPE it's not so very long till my next post and that I can REALLY, TRULY get back in the swing of things, but I now know enough not to promise! For now, bedtime for my kids calls!

2008-11-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

Random Beauty
As pro-mised, some art from nature's craftroom!
Can you even believe these are REAL berries?! I took this shot just outside my Mom's front door (and I need to ask her what, exactly, this plant is); goes to show you the surprises we'll find right before our eyes, if only we look...

Fall Hens & Chicks
I love this quirky plant! Spreads quickly and profusely and is so hearty (which is good for those of us withOUT a green thumb!). I have several small patches of these around my patio and waterfall and they make just the right accent. Isn't the touch of purple just so pretty?
And While We're Posting Purple...
Though not one of my 'favoritest' colors - to wear or to craft with - it sure looks gorgeous when it comes natural-ly! This hydrangea is another of my Mom's yard goodies. While this bloom is bursting from a GIANT bush, it's goin' it alone...not a single brother or sister flower to keep it comp-any, and it's been like that all summer long... guess the bush is focusing all its energy into this one stunning flower. I wish my powers of concentration yielded such beautiful results!

2008-11-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Fall's Fresh Start
Finally... I'm post-ing again! I can't believe it's been over TWO MONTHS since my last one, but life has a tendency to get in the way, and I'm just trying not to be too hard on myself for this long lapse. And even more frustra-ting is the even longer lull I've experienced in the creative pro-cess (in fact, this card I made last Fall!). Sure, some of it is the day-to-day life of a stay-at-home Mom: Endless laundry, cooking, taxi service to everywhere-but-the-moon, shopping, etc. But there's no doubt I'm blessed to have lots of hours of "me time" and I need to quit squand-ering them and get back to work in my craft room! But for now, the details of this card: The card base is Bazzill, as are the scalloped punched pieces (whose edges I inked with Ranger Distress 'Antique Linen' ink); the winking owl stamp is from Memory Box and was stamped in SU's 'Really Rust' ink; The trees are A Muse, as is the phrase (well, the first two words of it), and they were stamped in 'Chocolate Chip' ink. The cardstock letters, the ribbon, the buttons and the dp are all SEI's 'Madera Island' collection. Straightforward and simple!

Now, please stay tuned...I may have been in a crafting lull, but I've been keeping my camera pretty busy, and it's captured some breathtaking images of this GORGEOUS Autumn we're having here in the Ohio Valley. So see you soon with those!

2008-08-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Lookie What I Won!

The Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008 Award!

And I won it TWICE...WOW! I am so very honored. Thank you very much to Linsey of Outside the Lines and Lorelie of My Paper Adventures for bestowing this honor upon little ol' me and my humble blog! Hopefully, I'll be back to some regular posting (and creating!) soon so I can feel at least a little deserving of this award! It has just been such a crazy, scattered summer and my mind just has not been able to focus on anything crafty. I am really looking forward to the peace and serenity that Fall brings, be it because the kids are in school, the cool, crisp air that always seems to provide me with a second wind, or just the general "winding down" of nature as it closes up shop for the coming winter months. I'm sure it's a combination of all three, but whatever the reason, the Fall season just brings out the crafter in me!

But back to the award...I am obligated to spell out some recipient rules, so here goes: By accepting this Brillante Weblog Premio 2008 honor, the awardee has to award it to seven more people whose blogs she finds Brilliante Award worthy (it can be given to as many people as she wants but please award at least seven). And she must make a comment on the nominated blog. Here, in no particular order, are the SEVEN STARS of my choice:

1) Alisa (I LOVE her color challenges!)
2) Jeannie (her layering and dimension are second to none!)
3) Christine (love her style, and she likes Daschunds, too!)
4) Kim (so much thought and detail in EVERYthing she creates!)
5) Taylor (amazing style!)
6) Alex (an AMAZING SU-dedicated blog!)
7) Alex (just TRY to resist!)

Yeah, I cheated a little...Numbers 6 and 7 are the same person! But I am so pleased to have discovered Alex's work (thanks to the SCS Bloggers' Club), and they ARE two different sites afterall!

So when you get some time, and especially if you're in the midst of a creative block, I HIGHLY suggest you visit these girls. Their work will absolutely bowl you over and get your paper-crafting juices flowing again. As the award implies...BRILLIANCE!

2008-08-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

Friends at the Water-ing Hole

Here's another card using Clear Dollar Stamps

"Designer Bouquet". What's really neat about this set is not only the versatility in flowers, but also the containers to put them in. Case in point: Use the vase image and the bowl image together to create a bird bath!

Other supplies: VersaMagic chalk inks, Ranger "Thatched Straw" distress ink, Core'dinations and Bazzill cardstock, MME Dreamy Collection dp (Star Bright's "Dotty Dude" sheet), Cuttlebug "You" embossing folder (I cut out 3 of the embossed words...love using it this way!), The Robin's Nest Dew Drops, and American Crafts ribbons. And that's everything

Next up: A little chocolate nugget of a card using this same stamp set, then I'm off to work on sneak peeks for next month. Thanks for dropping in and have a wonderful day!

2008-08-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Posies on the Porch
What a time-consuming piece this proved to be! But it was fun to play around with, and the hand-sewing proved to be a calming, meditative process in the middle of the typical craft room chaos! And what fun to stamp out this pot of flowers! ALL the images here come from a brand new set from Clear Dollar Stamps called "Designer Bouquet" released this past Friday. Now as for technique and other products...where do I start? I think I'll just do this one in list format:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up
DP: MME Wild Asparagus ("Baby Boy" & "Cousins" collections)
Inks: VersaMagic Chalk & Ranger Distress
Oval dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities
Texture Plate (tiny diamonds): Sizzix
Ribbon: Stampin' Up and May Arts
Brads: Making Memories
Linen Floss: Stampin' Up
Seed Beads (center flower): Darice
Tools: Fiskars scallop scissors, Making Memories paper distresser and Ornare paper piercer

Here is a shot of the card from the side, to give you an idea of how I put together my "awning". Just creased a strip of the dp at different widths, accordion style...a total "trial by error" method till I got it looking like I envisioned! Of course, I did the stitching before I attached the awning to the card (but after I made my score lines on the dp strip).

I've got one more card to post that uses this same wonderful stamp set...look for it later tonight. In the meantime, have a peaceful Sunday evening, and here's to a happy & creative week ahead to all!

2008-07-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm Nuts for
"Just Nutty"!
I know it's a little early to be thinking about Fall yet (al-though I AM worn out with this hot, sticky air), but I just couldn't see using this adorable squirrel set, a new release from Clear Dollar Stamps available to all TOMORROW, without including an autumn-theme card! But this set is so versatile, you can even use it for Christmas and Easter...be sure and check out the Clear Dollar webstore and let your imagination fly!

Stuff I used here includes Bazzill cardstock for the card itself (I ran the right edge through the CB machine with the Distressed Stripes envelope); Bazzill for the matted pieces behind our squirrel (these were cut & embossed with the scalloped squares Nestabilities); Scribble-Scrabble dp, Staz-On Timber Brown Ink for both the squirrel himself and for the sentiments; Copic markers, Frosted Lace Stickles glitter from Ranger; Lasting Impressions brads, Offray ribbons, and Stampin' Up's Word Window punch.

Ok, I know it's now 4 days later, but I can FINALLY finish up this post! Since I first began talking about this card last week, my son started football (real, TACKLE football, the kind that makes a Mom hold her breath for the entire duration of practice which, btw, is held EVERY SINGLE weeknight :-0). And my daughter has been preparing for, and then participating in, her final 4-H horse show of the season! The good news is I think we've finally got our evening routine and taxi system down for getting to the football field, plus will be no more horse shows till September (she did well enough this summer to make it to "Districts", which of course we're all pleased about, but thankfully we've got a little hiatus coming, during which I can stamp, stamp, stamp!).

But it looks like I've said all I need to say about this card anyhow! I thank you for stopping by and checking it out. And if I DID miss something, or if you have any questions about technique or product, please feel free to leave it in a post, or you can pm me anytime. And now I'm off to post another card, so be sure to visit again soon and let me know what you think!

2008-07-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

It's That Time Again!
Can you believe it's time for AUGUST sneak peeks already?! Where HAS the summer gone? My family and I are back fresh from a week at Rehoboth Beach...the most perfect weather, a gorgeous rental property and the company of my sister and her family made it the perfect vacation! In fact, I think I'll have to post of few of my favorite photos from the trip...stay tuned!

But for now, lets get back to the sneak peeks: One of the challenges posed to the Clear Dollar design team members this month was to design with the color PURPLE. Thanks to our coordi-nator, Laurie Wilson, for this idea...it proved - at least to me - to be the perfect challenge: I am certainly well-stocked with purple supplies (ribbon, cardstock, dp, inks & markers, etc.), but when it comes down to actually using this color - putting all the elements of a card together with it - it just doesn't happen! So since I'm not real comfy with using purple, I decided to take a clean, very simple approach, but with what I hope is a bit of whimsy (how can a purple squirrel not be whimsical? Weird maybe, but whimsical!).

And isn't he one of the most adorable squirrels you've ever laid eyes on?! He's part of Clear Dollar Stamps "Just Nutty" set, to be released August 1. As with all Clear Dollar stamps, you will find just tons of versatility with this set...in fact, check out my fellow team members' blogs (see my side bar) for some oh-so-adorable examples of all the ways this set can go! And I'll be posting a few more samples of my own, as well.

Now to further build on the whole "whimsy" thing, I thought polka dots & circles, and I used them in several ways: The "Lots of Dots" Cuttlebug embossing folder, the pink button flower center (from one of Foof-a-La's Bag O' Buttons), and one of my favorite new tools, the Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edge border punch. And only 3 other goodies to tell you about for this simple card: Making Memories "Noteworthy" collection felt flowers, Copic markers and Michael's grosgrain ribbon.

I hope you like this little purple post! I'll be displaying squirrels of other colors over the next day or two, along with peeks of MORE new Clear Dollar sets available for you to buy come Thursday!

2008-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

Makin' Friends with Some Really Cute Critters!
The "Cute Critters" collection was released by Clear Dollar Stamps just this June, but I wouldn't be surprised if it has already become one of their best-selling sets...what an adorable bunch of characters, and with so many messages to pair them up with (I'm particular-ly fond of the message fonts). If you haven't seen these little guys yet, be sure to visit the webstore and hunt them down!

For this card I used four different patterns of Daisy Bucket "Sweet Marabella" dp on a Bazzill base. I wish I could tell you who made the orange grosgrain...it's so big & juicy (and since I bought a yard of EVERY COLOR during my most recent trek to the scrapbook store, I'd sure like to provide manufacturer credit!). But let's move on...

I stamped Snapper (say THAT 3 times fast!) in Jet Black Staz-On ink on a watercolor paper panel, then shaded him with my Stampin' Up watercolor crayons and sponged the panel edges with Ranger Antique Linen Distress ink (same inks used for the sentiment piece). I backed the top of the turtle panel with a strip of dp and a tier of ovals cut from another of the dp patterns. Wrapped the panel with a long length of Crate Paper ribbon (from the "Crush" collection), poked the paper-piercer in a criss-cross pattern just below, then finished the panel off with a Dew Drop in each corner. For dimension, I attached Snapper to the card with foam adhesive (I buy this stuff by the truckload...it's Scotch brand), then plopped on the sentiment, which was cut with -and matted on- Nestabilities ovals.

Ok...off to work on samples for Clear Dollar's August releases, which I can show you come month's end. And with any luck, I'll have time for a few miscellany creations that I can post in the meantime! So I'll see you soon...

2008-06-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

Clear Dollar Sneak Peek Challenge
For our July sneak peeks, the Clear Dollar dt was issued a couple challenges. And I LOVE challenges... they really help fine-tune the creative process and give you a springboard from which to jump into a project. This card actually answers TWO challenges: a sketch design and a color combo requirement (apricot, copper & white). Now here are the goods on the goods:

The stamps are part of the "Charlie Frolic" set from Clear Dollar, available for purchase tomorrow, July 1. Other stuff: Bazzill cardstock (all the colored stuff) and Stampin' Up Confetti White cs, Bo Bunny dp, Staz-On "Timber Brown" ink (Charlie and the phrase), Ranger "Tea Dye" Distress ink (sponged on all the edges), Ranger "Gun Metal" Stickles, Nestabilities oval and circle dies, Creative Cafe glitter brads, Prima flowers, Fancy Pants lace trim, May Arts ribbon, Ornare paper-piercing template & tool, twine (from the hardware store!) and embroidery floss (from my cross-stitching supplies!). Please check out my fellow dt members' sneak peeks (I'm gonna post links to their blogs - FINALLY - in my sidebar in just a sec) for a look at ALL the new sets to be released tomorrow. Then have fun shopping! And thanks for dropping by here today!

2008-06-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

Another Charlie Frolic Sneak Peek!
See how versatile our Charlie can be? He can even pose for a "Baby Boy" card (and swap out the blue for pink and you've got the girls covered, too!)...This sweet little horse (and the little star) are part of the soon-to-be-released "Charlie Frolic" set from Clear Dollar Stamps. Be sure to check out ALL the new releases - along with lots of Charlie companion sets already out - Tuesday, JULY 1!

Details for this card: The confetti/white base is Stampin' Up (from the Neutrals pack); the blue is Bazzill Bling (glittery finish) cardstock (I trimmed the right edge with my ancient Fiskars jumbo scallop scissors); the brown and tan mats behind Charlie are Bazzill (I soaked and crumpled the tan piece); I stamped Charlie and the stars with Timber Brown Staz-On, then shaded everything using SU watercolor crayons. For "Baby Boy" I used Clear Dollar's "Ancient Stone" alphabet with the Staz-On (for the "B" I used one of SU's blue ink colors on a scrap, then cut it out and glued it to the card). And of course, Ranger Antique Linen Distress ink spices up all my edges! As far as the trims go, I have NO idea who the blue daisies belong to (bought ages ago...Making Memories perhaps?); the tan/white gingham is Offray.

Thanks for stopping by...I've got one more Charlie sneak peek which I'll post tomorrow!

2008-06-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

I Love This Paper!
The Sierra Collection from Anna Griffin...Not sure how new this line of gorgeous papers is, but I discovered it at my local scrapbook store just the other day and totally love it! The colors are so rich and muted. And what really makes it extra-ordinary is that you can use it to make a most dressy, elegant wedding card today, but come tomorrow, you can pull out the same patterns and create that down & dirty scrapbook layout featuring your favorite little cowboy (or, in my case, cowGIRL!). I think this versatility comes from the the kraft paper-like feel and texture (no gloss or sheen). But no matter the reason, these papers add a touch of class no matter how fancy or casual the theme!

Here, I paired two of the Sierra patterns with my favorite little skunk from Clear Dollar Stamp's "Cute Critters" set, released earlier this month. I also used some vintage-style trim from Making Memories (the aqua ribbon is from the "Sophia" line, but I can't seem to track down the brick trim) and some antique-y looking buttons (brand spankin' new from JoAnn's!). Other stuff: Watercolor paper, Bazzill cs, Staz-On and Ranger Distress inks, Stampin' Up watercolor crayons, Stickles (Fruit Punch?), a paper-piercing tool & template, and foam adhesive. Thanks for takin' a look! Next up: Another Clear Dollar sneak peek for July!

2008-06-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek No. 1 - July's Clear Dollar Stamps!
Welcome the newest addi-tion to the Charlie line from Clear Dollar: "Charlie Frolic"! He will make his grand entrance come July 1, along with a bunch of other awesome sets. What I love most about this guy is all his posing options: You can stamp him in a gallop, or turn your stamp block just a bit and you've got him kickin' up his heels or leaping for joy! And in addition to the Giddy-Up phrase I used with our blushing bronco here, you get a couple other phrases and a little star stamp (great for making a background or for adding some bling to Charlie). I also used another new Clear Dollar release (though you can hardly tell from the picture): It's a clear WHEEL STAMP, called "Hoofin' It". It, too, makes an awesome background to use with all the Charlie stamps. I used it here to make my own background paper, stamping it in red ink on a panel of Basic Grey "Infuse" bg paper.

Other supplies: Bazzill cs, other patterns from the Basic Grey Infuse line, Nestabilities (large scallop rectangles), Staz-On Timber Brown ink pad, Copic markers, Infuse and Offray ribbons, Making Memories pewter star brad, and a Close to My Heart photo hanger. Thanks so much for checkin' out Charlie and please come back over the next few days for more peeks!

2008-06-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

This Says It All!
I just had to get this card done and posted...to commemorate this crazy past few days: My poor son has been home from school (yes, we're still in school around here, thanks to a teachers' strike earlier in the school year), sick for over a week. First it was a strep diagnosis (a whole TWO DAYS after being tested for it), and then just yesterday: PNEUMONIA! Who'd have thunk it, at this time of year and it's been 80 degrees or higher for the past 2 weeks. NO idea where THAT came from! Luckily, my daughter seems in the clear and hopefully, those antibiotics will stop the bug in its germy little tracks!

Now on to the card details: Used the Monkey Business set from Clear Dollar (soooooo excited to be asked to stay on the DT for another quarter!). In addition to my usual Bazzill cardstock, I pulled out something new that I discovered a month or so ago and LOVE: Core'dinations Cardstock: I just can't get enough of that canvas texture (you can spot the texture in the photo here...it's the teal panel) and it comes in oodles of colors. To me, it's kind of a cross between traditional cardstock and patterned paper and adds just the right amount of visual interest without any "busy-ness"! I puchased my lifetime supply (!) at All That Scraps, one of my favorite on-line stores for all things papercrafting, but you can get the story behind the paper at the Core'dinations website.

So after I trimmed the edges of the teal panel with some oooooold Fiskars paper edgers, I wrapped the card in some equally old burlap-like netting. I store it with my Magic Mesh, but its texture is softer and it's great for enhancing your jungles, oceans and farms! The other trims are from Scrapworks. After stamping my jungle scene, I colored it with some of my deeper shades of Copics. A few of the elements were actually stamped on scrap cardstock, then cut out and attached at strategic locations for more dimension (i.e. the monkey hiding in the tree, several of the tree leaves and the pieces on the sentiment). And as you can tell, I did TONS of distressing with my sponge and Ranger Antique Linen ink, along with my tired, overworked paper distresser tool; my intent was to create the look of a vintage child's picture book (in fact, to further the childlike feel, I glittered up portions of the trees). And for the sentiment, I used my oval Nestabilities and inked up the stamp in black. And that's all she wrote...er, STAMPED!

Thanks for takin' a look! And stay tuned for some Clear Dollar sneak peeks, featuring July's stamp releases, late next week!

2008-06-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

How Ironic...
Aside from drivers crawling along in the passing lane, my one other pet peeve (at least this week) is this whole text messaging frenzy that seems to be overtaking the country (or at least my little corner of it in which my daughter and her friends reside!). So how funny is it that I go and make a card highlighting just that?

But then again, how could I resist when this adorable stamp set is sitting in front of me?! It's Clear Dollar Stamp's "My Little Books" set and not only is it great for a teacher thank you (see earlier post), it'll make for an awesome tween/ teen card or scrapbook page.

I also used Clear Dollar's "Imperial Monogram" set to spell out KEEP IN TOUCH, and "Everyday Envelopes" is where I got Perfect Friend (which I stamped on a Cuttlebug "Tiny Tags" die cut and attached to the card with a length of American Crafts' ribbon and a big ol' black brad). The card base is Bazzill and the red paper is Close to My Heart, which I ran thru the Cuttlebug with the "Spots & Dots" embossing folder, then sanded. I wrapped the card across the center with b&w polka-dot ribbon (not sure whose).

To make the frame around the phone, I stamped the little rings (part of the Little Books set) in SU Real Red ink on a white Nestabilities circle and stuck an Amuse rhinestone in the center of each ring. I sponged the circle edge in the same red ink, matted it on a black circle and stuck the whole thing on the card with foam adhesive. The phone itself I colored with Copics, then pop-dotted it on for even more dimension. BTW, does this little phone frame thing not remind you of the "antique" rotary phones (Uh Oh...looks like my texting-intolerant age is showing!)?

Thanks for checking out my card...and for letting me vent! Hope you have a great day, free & clear of your own pet peeves!

2008-06-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

'Tis the Season!
To say thanks to the teachers! And the new "My Little Books" set from Clear Dollar Stamps has the perfect images to make a one-of-a-kind card your child's teacher will really appreciate (gift card optional!). And best of all, your kids can get in on the crafting to make it a TRUE treasure!

Of course, any school or office-related stamps holler out for the Stampin' Up spiral punch, which I used along the top right edge of the card (and then I lined the inside of the card with more of that burgundy card-stock you see on the front for added contrast when the card is closed) and my McGill round tab punch (stamped with A+, tied with b&w gingham ribbon and tucked under the composition book). Other goodies I used: Clear Dollar's "Imperial Monogram" set (for all the wording/ letters) and "Grammar School Journaling Lines" back-ground stamp (which I angled on purpose!), Bazzill CS, VersaFine black ink and Close to My Heart "Vine-yard Berry" ink, Making Memories and Queen & Company brads, Prima felt flower, an Amuse rhinestone, the (surprise!) Making Memories paper distresser tool, and Ranger "Antique Linen" distress ink.

One more with this set comin' right up! Thanks for stopping by...

2008-06-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

My Too-Late Sneak Peek!
Since the new Clear Dollar stamp releases came out on Sunday, I guess this card can't legally qualify as a sneak peek, but that's what it was supposed to have been. Oh well, at least I can honestly tell you that I had it MADE in time...just not posted!

Another one using the "Shore Treasures" set. And I was so excited to use this Cuttlebug "Distressed Stripes" embossing folder...I think it's just the ticket for a rustic beach card! Other items used include Bazzill cardstock (I tore the edges of the kraft paper and sponged them with Ranger Antique Linen Distress ink), netting (purchased ages ago when I was on a Magic Mesh kick - I need to remember to use that stuff more often...with soooooooo many embellishments to choose from, sometimes some really neat things get lost in the crowd!), pewter brads, black mini brads, Timber Brown Staz-On ink (to stamp the image & the phrase), SU watercolor crayons, Marvy circle punches, Making Memories distresser tool, and twill.

I hope you've enjoyed all these seaside cards...it's sunny and 80-something here in western PA today, and I know I'M ready for the water! Check out the "Shore Treasures" set on the Clear Dollar website and make some summer scenes of your own...and have a great evening!

2008-05-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Another Shore Treasures Card
Can you tell I really like this soon-to-be-released set from Clear Dollar?! And since we're off to Delaware for our annual beach vacation come July, I'm REALLY in the mood for some shore & ocean-themed images! Now I don't normally name my cards, but I've just gotta call this one "Dancing Starfish"! I just love how this little guy is shaped...just another unique touch that Clear Dollar puts on ALL their designs!

For this card, I started with an apple-green base (Bazzill) and roughed up the edges with my distresser tool. I then stamped the starfish across a watercolor paper strip using Timber Brown Staz-On ink. After watercoloring each fish, I added some turquoise Stickles to the centers, roughed up the edges of the strip and attached it to the upper half of a light blue cardstock panel. Using the wave image included in this stamp set, I stamped out a background on the blue panel using Stampin' Up's Bordering Blue ink. After distressing the panel edges, wrapping it with a two-tone satin ribbon, and matting it on black cardstock, I attached it to the front of the green card using a black mini brad in each corner. Next, I stamped out my message (also part of this stamp set) in the brown Staz-On on a die-cut file tab (Quick-Kutz die using moss and white cardstock). I poked a line of holes with my paper-piercing tool along the top edge of the tab, then centered 3 Dew Drops right above the message. Attached the tab along the left edge of the card, just below the ribbon, and that's that!

And now for a break from all this posting and typing, I'm off to my son's baseball game. I've got one more sneak peek tomorrow, and then - lucky me - I get to start working with the Clear Dollar JULY releases! Have a great evening!

2008-05-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

A Quick Clear Dollar Cake Card!
Ok, back to the "Cute Confections" acrylic wheel stamp, avail-able June 1 from Clear Dollar Stamps. Also used the set this wheel was designed to coordinate with, "Cake Confections."
I can't hardly believe it, but there's not a piece of ribbon in sight!

I started by running the confections wheel through my VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit chalk ink pad and rolling it across a white cardstock strip. I cut the strip down to my desired size, sponged some Pink Grapefruit along the edges, and matted the strip to a slightly taller piece of pink cardstock (some old Close to My Heart stuff whose color I'm not sure about). I then stamped the "Eat Cake!" phrase repeatedly across the pink panel, both above and below the white strip, using CTMH Chocolate ink, and attached the whole thing to a Chocolate Chip (SU) card. Oh, and though you can't really see it in the photo, I highlighted the flower centers with Frosted Lace Stickles.

Now for the chocolate cake: I stamped the two layers (which were actually constructed from 4 separate stamps; so much versatility with this set!) on white card-stock using Close to My Heart Chocolate dye ink (the bottom layer and the icing swirls) and VersaMagic Sahara Sand chalk ink (top cake layer). Then I decorated my cake with the little flower stamp using Pink Grapefruit chalk ink and pink Dew Drops. I cut out my image using one of the scallop rectangle Nestabilities, then cut (and embossed) the next largest rectangle out of SU's Close to Cocoa cardstock to mat my cake on. I then matted the scallop layers to a straight-edge caramel panel and stuck the whole thing, just high of center, onto the card using a double layer of foam adhesive.

I'll have more sneak peeks later, but for now, I'm off to spread some mulch and surprise my husband when he gets home tonight. And it's THE perfect day for gardening: Sunny but not too hot...a gorgeous day here in Pittsburgh, PA! Hope it's nice where you are, too. Thanks for stopping by...

2008-05-29T04:49:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peak Number Two: Clear Dollar Stamps for June!
Mark your calendars: June 1 is the birthday for another BIG bunch of new stamps from Clear Dollar! "Shore Treasures" (16 images, $12.99) is one of the new sets, and it's what I used to make this card.

Check out the close-up of the crackle finish I applied to the oyster shell/pearl panel. This stuff is sooooo nifty and really adds a special touch if you're aiming for a vintage, aged look. This product is from Ranger (who else?!) and its actual name is "Crackle Accents" and the most awesome thing about it is how simple it is to use: just squeeze it out and let it dry and VOILA...you've got your cracked glass finish!

But I'll back up now and start at the beginning! I stamped the conch shell randomly in Timber Brown Staz-On ink across a panel of creme watercolor paper. I watercolored each shell (SU water-color crayons) then used a speckled background stamp to add a fill in the panel a bit and give it a sandy, beachy feel. I glue-dotted down three brown mini buttons along the left edge of the panel, then matted it on sand-colored cardstock whose edges I roughed up with my over-worked (!) Making Memories paper distresser tool. BTW, before applying the crackle finish to the torn oyster/pearl scrap, I watercolored those images as well and then applied Ranger Antique Linen distress ink to the edges. While the crackle finish dried (refer to the instructions for dry times), I punched the corners of a coral cs (Bazzill) rectangle with a slot punch and weaved a length of metallic gold thread through the notches. This piece was then matted on a brown (SU Chocolate Chip) panel and the whole thing was aldhered along the right edge of the conch shell panel.

Now for the card base: I stamped the phrase (part of "Shore Treasures") using the brown Staz-On in the corner of a shimmery ivory card (Bazzill). I punched a strip of Chocolate Chip cs with the Martha Stewart Cornice Edge border punch, then adhered it along the edge of a salmon-colored panel which was first run thru my Cuttlebug using the Script Texture embossing folder then wrapped with a length of gold/pearl ribbon layered over a piece of wider pink satin ribbon. Alldone...finally! And for your reference when shopping, here's a picture of the Crackle Accents as it comes in its package.

2008-05-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Clear Dollar Stamps - June Sneak Peek!
A new release available this coming Sun-day, "Cute Confections" is actually an acrylic WHEEL stamp. Great for borders and envelopes or anytime you need a quick, no-fuss card! Check it out, along with TONS of other new releases for June at the Clear Dollar webstore.

For this card, I ran the wheel thru my Timber Brown Staz-On inkpad, rolled it across white cardstock, then trimmed it down a bit (the entire image is a bit longer than what you see here). I shaded the goodies with my Copics, using colors mostly from the BG family, then double-matted the strip on SU's Sage Shadow and Always Artichoke CS. Next, for some added visual interest, I cut out one of the cupcakes from that portion of the strip I didn't use originally and glued it on so that it kind of hangs off the (lower left) edge of the strip. Finally, I jazzed up my confections with seed beads and liquid pearls. The floral panel below was made with the tiny flower image from Clear Dollar's "Cake Occasions" set, released a few months ago (the wheel is designed to coordinate with this set). I stamped the flower in a random fashion across a white strip, using no less than 6 (!) different shades of VersaMagic chalk inks. Then I stamped "Happy Birthday" (also from "Cake Occasions") in the Timber Brown Staz-On and matted the strip on SU Teal ("Taken with"?!). At last, the cake and flower panels were mounted on an SU Soft Sky card (cake strip attached with a double layer of foam adhesive strips). I'm not sure who the ribbon belongs to, but it's an absolutely butter-soft, super delicate silk in a variegated deep oceany color.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and be sure to look for more Clear Dollar sneak peeks through out the rest of the week! And GO PENS!!!

2008-05-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

A Duck of a Different Color!
Just a quick card done with a Clear Dollar set (Christian Critters) and Copics. Other stuff: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Marvy scallop and plain circle punches, Making Memories trims & brads, VersaFine black ink, Bazzill and Close to My Heart CS.

Up next: Finishing my samples using some of the awesome Clear Dollar sets to be released brand spankin' new for June...Look for a sneak peek or two late next week! I am always so amazed at how MANY new sets come out each month from the creative minds at Clear Dollar (it's a good thing they're so affordable!), and how very much fun to work with each set is! If you haven't checked them out yet, go give 'em a whirl! And, as always, thanks for checking in here!

2008-05-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

NOT Just Another Magic Marker!
How do I love my Copics? Let me count the ways! I've been using these beyond awe-some markers for a good six months or so now, but I still continue to be amazed with them...just can't get over how smooth and blendable they are! And no annoying streak marks. It's literally like water-coloring without the water (and the brush-rinsing, and the stray water drops and just the general mess). Don't get me wrong...nothing replaces the art of true watercolor on real water-color paper for shading, shadowing and that over-all delicate & dreamy effect, and I'd be beyond thrilled to say I had the talent; but it's a VERY challenging medium for most of us and an art all unto itself that can take years to master. And at this point in my life, I'm lucky if I can find time even to stamp! But now I can get many of the same watercolor effects from a simple marker! So my Copics have truly been this stamper's dream-come-true! Learn more about them and how they work at the Copics website, plus view their complete color line. And when you're ready to buy, GUESS WHAT?!?? They'll be available for sale new this week at Clear Dollar Stamps!!! That's also where you'll find the stamps I used to make this card; they're from one of the new May releases, "Spread Your Wings".

As for the rest of the card, I opened my Cuttlebug "Fancy Corners" embossing set and used it along the right edge. Spellbinders scallop squares, a scallop corner punch, my Stampin' Up Word Window punch, Ranger Distress Ink (Antique Linen, sponged over the embossed area), Prima flowers, copper Dew Drops and yellow twine round it all out. Thanks so much for stopping by...I would love to hear from you about anything, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment or two. And keep my little ol' blog in mind down the road; I plan on putting some blog candy out there soon!

2008-05-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

An Alternative Teacher Thank You
It reads: "Thanks for taking me under your wing" and there are no pencils or schoolhouses or ABC's on it, but I still think it'd make a pretty, more sophisticated teacher thank you (maybe for an older student?). Again I used Clear Dollar's "Spread Your Wings" set, stamping in Jet Black Staz-On and shad-ing with Stampin' Up's watercolor crayons. Treated the Stampin' Up (Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip) and Bazzill cardstock (the olive-y color) to the paper distresser tool, and did lots of tearing for a rustic look, which I think is further enhanced with the diamond-embossed texture of the brown panel (Cuttle-bug's "Diamonds in the Rough" folder) and Ranger's "Frayed Burlap" Distress Ink around the edges of the bird panel. A Stampin' Up spiral clip finishes it all off. One more bird card to come!

2008-05-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

Graduation:
'Tis The Season!
A timely card for a change! The owl and phrase are from a new Clear Dollar Stamps set, "Spread Your Wings" and the circle frame stamp is from "Mini Monograms," both new this month! The hat and the owl are separate stamps, so he doesn't have to be used just for school-related themes. This bird set also comes with a "Thanks" and the phrase "for taking me under your wing"; I think these are just perfect words to use with this sweet little owl with his wing all opened and ready to put a comforting arm around you or offer an encourag-ing pat on the back!

I stamped both the circle frame and the owl in Jet Black Staz-On, then colored the little guy with Copics and cut out the frame. I then backed the frame with circles cut using my old-time Sizzix 4-circle die. Stamped the owl a second time on a scrap piece, cut out only the wing, colored it and tacked it on to the original wing so it would hang out beyond the circle frame. I also stamped the graduation cap on a scrap, cut & colored it and glued it (proudly!) on our owl's head. This whole ensemble was then centered on a black trapezoid rectangle. I ran the card base through the Cuttlebug using the "Traffic Jam" em-bossing folder on just the left side. The right side I stamped here & there with a leaf sprig in VersaMark ink. The twill is EK for Martha Stewart and I threw in a scrap of good old b&w gingham ribbon. Lastly, I popped on 3 turquoise Dew Drops along the edge of the black rectangle, attached it to the card with foam adhesive and called it a day! More bird cards to follow...thanks for dropping in!

2008-05-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

A Doodle Factory Mother's Day!
Isn't it funny as stampers & papercrafters how many new and wonderful things we discover and fall absolutely head-over-heals in love with?! Well, it was totally love at first sight the minute I was introduced to Doodle Factory stamps! You can check out the whole line (& shop) at Starving Artistamps. The stamps on this card are from the "Country" sheet (all their stamps are red rubber images on one sheet for you to cut out and mount), which is a more recent release, as are the "Fairy Tale" and "Urban" sheets. If you're up for a little fun or need some cheering up, view TONS of great samples through the site's gallery and blog. I just think these designs are so FUN, QUIRKY, IMAGINATIVE and just enough "out there" to make a statement and stand out from the crowd! I would just LOVE to meet the illustrator of these one-of-a-kind, too-much-fun images!

I stamped the images in Timber Brown Staz-On, then colored them with my ever-growing collection of Copics. Other products include Cosmo Cricket papers (from the "Hey Sugar" line), Bazzill cs, a Hero Arts alpha set, VersaMagic chalk inks, American Crafts and Michael's ribbons, a small & large red brad, Ranger Distress Ink (Antique Linen & Tattered Rose) and a paper-piercer.

Thanks for dropping by and watch for more Doodle Factory cards in the future. And have a wonderful week!

2008-05-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Backwards Through the Seasons!
Sometimes it feels like the story of my life: Going back-wards! Like working out for an hour only to come home and eat that fresh-from-the-bakery giant fried cinnamon roll intended for my husband...arrrgh! But this time going backwards is fun...we're going from a winter card to a fall card, again using Clear Dollar's "Tree-mendous Wishes" set. The cardstock is Stampin' Up's Old Olive, More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, and Purely Pomegranate (inks in the same colors, minus Choc. Chip, plus Creamy Caramel). I ran the mustard panel thru the Cuttlebug using the Swirls embossing folder. And do you think I went a bit crazy with the linen floss?! I just think it adds that perfect rustic touch (it's been a favorite staple of mine since Stampin' Up intro'd it a few years ago). Other tools and accessories include Making Memories buttons, a micro hole punch, and the EK tab and corner punches. Oh, and I can't forget the Ranger Stickles: Let's see...I used Orange Peel, Pink (which looks burgundy in the bottle), and Coffee Ice. Coming up: What else? Summer!

2008-05-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

YOU'LL Wish for
"Tree-mendous Wishes"!
Ok, I think this is it...my favorite of the new stamp set releases from Clear Dollar Stamps! This one is called "Tree-mendous Wishes" and it IS a tremendous set to celebrate the four seasons! And TWENY-SEVEN top-quality clear acrylic stamps for $9.99? You won't find more bang for your stampin' buck anywhere!

In case you haven't visited the Clear Dollar website yet, you should know that you'll find an extensive idea gallery for each & every set (and individual stamp) they sell. What a way to jump-start your creativity and launch your very own Clear Dollar portfolio! And for more ideas and some awesome tutorials, you simply MUST check out the new BLOG of my fellow design team member, Laurie...it's called ClearlyDelightful and it is truly a fabulous feast of both artwork and education!

Now, on with my card (and I apologize for bringing you down with a winter theme!)...In addition to the "Tree-mendous Wishes" stamps, other products include Stampin' Up ink (Chocolate Chip & the now-retired Bliss Blue), Stampin' Up cardstock (Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip and Kraft), Stampin' Up spiral punch (I really need to use this more...luv it!), Sizzix circle dies, May Arts ribbons and a Making Memories pewter snowflake charm. As a final touch, I put a little snow on the trees with some Frosted Lace Stickles. I hope you like these soft colors and how they work together; if brights are more your speed, stay tuned for a slightly more colorful card using this same versatile stamp set. In the meantime, hope you're all having a wonderful springtime day!

2008-05-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Garden Party Grouping
And the theme continues... more of Clear Dollar's "Butter-fly Wings" set, newly available TODAY! You've gotta stop by the website and check out all the new sets for May! And don't you just love this "Ancient Stone" alphabet? This one's been out awhile, but it works so well with so many themes. Product additions (to my earlier post) include Close to My Heart's organdy ribbon in "Buttercup" (on the scrap layout) and Making Memories glittered pink brads (on the treat bag). Thanks so much for stopping by, and watch for additional posts using MORE brand-spankin' new Clear Dollar sets!

2008-05-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

Clear Dollar Stamps - Sneak Peek for May!
Can you even believe it's May already?! Where DID all my stamping time go throughout April? It truly was a struggle getting into the crafting flow and producing cards...just lots of little odds-n-ends things that get in the way. Sure hope May finds me more productive.

And speaking of little, pictured here is a tiny invite I managed to put together using one of Clear Dollar Stamps' new releases for this month, "Butterfly Wings" (I also used their "Ancient Stone" alpha set). The card base is Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink cs, which I roughed up a bit with what STILL is one of my fave tools, the Making Memories Paper Distresser. I made the circle out of SU's Barely Banana using my "antique" circle cutter (circa my early 90's Creative Memories days!) and roughed up its edge, as well. Pulled out the Marvy Mega and Giga scallop circle punches, a few pink Dew Drops, Frosted Lace Stickles (edges of the pink scallop), and some pink ribbon from Michael's.

What got lost in the sub-par photographic process (I'm still learning!) is the rock 'n roll technique I used to stamp the butterfly wings: Stamped the whole image firmly in a light pink chalk ink (VersaMagic Pixie Dust) and then went back and sponged just the edges of the butterfly in a deeper shade of pink (VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit). The body of the butterfly and the scrolls/ outline of the wings are separate stamps and I did those in a burgundy dye ink. The flowers were stamped in two shades of yellow chalk ink (Sugar Cane & Cornucopia, also VersaMagic), then I inked the edge of the white scallop in the Sugar Cane.

Stay tuned for more of this "Garden Party" theme using this same stamp set...

2008-04-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

I Am Honored

It feels like forever since I've posted and almost as long since I've created. And I can blame it on nothing other than day-to-day life and the ever-increasing speed at which it happens...It seems the older I get, the faster and busier it goes! And it's time again already for some Clear Dollar Stamps sneak peeks for the May sets (available for purchase day-after-tomorrow...yay!). I've also got my very first Doodlefactory card I wanna share, as well.

But for now I am so excited and honored to shout from my blogging rooftop that I've been awarded the Arte y Pico award...and not once, but TWICE! Thank you so very much to Kristin at Artful Inkables and Lynn at Stamperosity for bestowing me with this award...I can't even begin to say how touched and honored I am that both of these very, VERY talented ladies felt my work worthy...what inspiration and empowerment to do more, create more...to make it a priority to set aside, if only for a little while, the crazy-busy stuff of life and indulge in the creative process!

And speaking of empowerment...as the saying goes, "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" so now for the rules & responsibilities that accompany this award:

1) The recipient must pick 5 blogs that she considers deserving of this award - talented artists that contribute to the blogging community.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author, as well as a link to their blog to be visited by all!

3) Each winner has to show the award that she has been given by the awarder.

4) Both the awardee and the awarder have to provide a link to the Arte y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) All participants must display these rules.

And now for the 5 blogs I'm excited to honor:

1) Jenn of Created From Paper

2) Bethany of It's Not All Black & White

3) Colleen of kroppykat

4) Marie of Scrapping World

5) Kristine of Cafe Ink

I encourage you to take time out of YOUR hectic life to visit these awesome blogs...and ENJOY. And thanks again, Kristin & Lynn!

2008-04-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

I'm So Lucky...I Got More PTI RAK Cards!
I can't gush enough about Papertrey Ink's RAK Forum! I mean, just look at the 4 (yes, FOUR!) cards I received within the last 3 days - who WOULDN'T be excited to get such gorgeous mail! The soft turquoise card here on the left is from Katie (aka MyPaper-Haven) and it's sooooooooo cool! Hard to tell in the photo, but the card base is a transparency! I wish you could see the depth & dimen-sion in this card...as always, the picture just doesn't do it justice. Thanks again, Katie!

This pretty berry & moss card to the right is from Danielle (aka DaniMarie), and I love it! Not visible in the pic (again!) is the touch of glitter on the flowers. She even did a liner inside with that little stem swirl in two of the corners! And after seeing these flowers in person, I think I'll have to get me this set! Thanks so much, Danielle!

Below is a cute flower card from Daisy (like the pun?), aka mayadiz. I LOVE the little pebbles (I forget their technical name at the moment!)...the flowers look fresh rom a rainy garden! And what a great color combo! Thanks Daisy...and keep your eye on the mailbox!

And last but by no means least...this beauty below is from Lynn (aka Lynn in St. Louis). This one uses a transparency panel, also - for a unique and stunning background and also for the focal point flower - along with some super-lush velvet ribbon in the most gorgeous shade of teal. And the rhinestones at each corner add the perfect finishing touch! Thanks, Lynn, for your rockin' RAK!

2008-03-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Clear Dollar Sneak Peek Sample!
Another card made with the "Sometimes You're the Bug" set...to be released tomorrow! See the balloons tied to the back bumper? Just one of MANY images that come with this set (and its companion, "Bugs and Kisses") to help you jazz up your buggy! This has to be one of the most original group of images on the stamp market today, doncha think? For this "Baby Girl" card, I stamped the car in black pigment ink, embossed it with clear powder, and colored it with Copics (the license plate phrase -again, one of many choices- was stamped separately in regular ink). The balloon bundle was stamped on a separate scrap of white CS, colored, then cut out. I made the balloons shiny with Diamond Glaze (which I also used on the rearview mirror), and after they dried I attached them to the back of the car using foam adhesive for extra dimension. The center of the steering wheel is a pewter brad, and to "girly it up" a bit more, I added the Prima flower. The card base and colored layers are all Bazzill - I pulled out the Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder for the coral panel and used my jumbo scallop scissors on the yellow piece. Thanks again for stopping by, and please be sure to check out all that's new at Clear Dollar Stamps TOMORROW!

2008-03-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Introducing "Charlie Horse"!
As promised, it's another sneak peek - this time with "Charlie Horse"! This set of two (Charlie and the phrase) is just one of a bunch of new sets to deput tomorrow from Clear Dollar Stamps. Be sure to visit the website and check them ALL out! For this card, I again used Stampin' Up CS (Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Certainly Celery & Blue Bayou), but first roughed up ALL the edges with my well-loved Making Memories paper distresser tool (I actually did the spritz and crumple technique on the blue piece and the brown panel I Cuttlebugged with the Diamonds in the Rough embossing folder). Charlie was colored with Copic markers, and though you can't tell from the photo, I Fun Flocked his tail and popped it up with foam adhesive. The striped and floral ribbon are from We R Memory Keepers. Not sure who made the silver slider (actually a brad) but it reminds me of a big ol' western belt buckle, so it fits the mood! Well, thanks for taking this "peek" with me...I've got one more for you today, so stay tuned!

2008-03-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

It's a Clear Dollar Sneak Peek!
OMG, I am just waaaaaaaaaaay too excited! Clear Dollar Stamps is releasing their April images tomorrow and as a proud DT member, I'm honored to be able to bring you a sneak peek of what's to come! This card uses the absolutely adorable "Sometimes You're the Bug" set, along with its companion set "Bugs and Kisses". I am just so amazed at the creativity and originality of these images and how they all tie together: From the crack in the windshield, to the license plate letters, to the card sentiment... there are just so many possibilities and ways to bring your card together! And JUST WAIT till you see the other images that come with this set...I was just blown away when I got MY first peek! And of course the quality and value that have been Clear Dollar's trademark from the get-go...you will be thrilled! Now...on with the details of this card: I stamped the images (the car itself, the crack in the windshield and the license plate phrase) in black VersaFine ink, then shaded (but not very well!) the entire car with Stampin' Up's watercolor crayons. I detailed my "paint job" by applying Barbara Trombley's Art Institute glitter in a coral shade to those 'bumps" on the back, then tacked on two red rhinestones to the tail lights. The rearview mirror was Diamond Glazed, though I'm sure you can't tell from the photo, and a big black brad helps call attention to the license plate. Finally, I tied on some side-stitched ribbon and used SU's word window punch for the phrase (which actually reads "Having a bad day?") which I attached with a mini brad. Oh, and all the cs is Stampin' Up: Ruby Red, Bordering Blue (my all-time fave color!), and Creamy Caramel. Thanks so much for sharing this exciting release with me and come back for more before the day is over!

2008-03-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Harmony
One last Artistic Outpost card for today (this time I'll link you to their main website instead of their blog). All THREE cards were made with the "Serenity" sheet. Alcohol inks used this time: Ginger, Latte & Caramel (sold together in the "Cabin Cupboard" collection). Keep in mind that glossy cardstock must be used with this technique, along with the blending solution, in order for the inks to "travel" across the paper and combine with each other to create your one-of-a-kind swirly, marbley background. After the background dried completely, I stamped the flourishes randomly across it using Timber Brown Staz-On ink. For the bigger flourish stamped on the white paper I used VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Sierra Vista. "Harmony" was stamped in SU's Chocolate Chip, and I inked the edges of the white piece with Ranger Frayed Burlap Distress. This card sure looks like Fall, but I'm hoping for some Spring Harmony outside! Thanks for stopping by!

2008-03-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Bird Has a Song" Card
Another Artistic Outpost card using the Ranger Alcohol Inks. This phrase is sooooooooooo beautiful -you've gotta visit their blog/store and check out ALL their images. For this card, I created the background on glossy white cs using Espresso, Raisin, Mushroom & Oregano inks, then stamped the image with Timber Brown Staz-On. The plum cs panel beneath was Cuttlebugged with the Script Texture embossing folder then roughened up around the edges with my Making Memories paper distresser tool. On both the light green panel and the right corners of the card base I used my fave EK Paper Shaper...it's called "Laurel". The organdy ribbon I've had forever and it's kind of a mauve/olive multi-toned color (couldn't have gotten it more perfect if I was on one of my JoAnn hunts!). Finally, I used an Ornare paper-piercing template along the upper edge of the card then finished it all off with a couple Prima flowers. Maybe this posting will summon Spring for everybody...

2008-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Artistic Outpost Stamps - LOVE Them!
Only recently have I dis-covered Artistic Outpost and their stunning images and just-as-stunning prose! And I can't think of a better reason to pull out my Ranger Alcohol Inks (& blending solution, of course) to create a perfect background for them. I don't normally give my cards a name, but a title for this one just came screaming to me: "Morning Sky"! After creating the back-ground with Red Pepper, Caramel and Pesto, I stamped the image with Staz-On (Timber Brown, I believe), and inked the edges of the panel with Ranger Distress in Frayed Burlap. I ran the peachy colored card through the Cuttlebug with the new "Diamonds in the Rough" embossing folder, then after attaching the matted (on light olive cs) image, I tied the card with a few strands of my trusty linen floss (Stampin' Up) and added a vintage wood button. Finally, I just had to rough up the edges with my paper distresser tool and sponge with more Frayed Burlap. I just the other day got Artistic Outpost's two newest releases and can't wait to start playin'! Thanks for sharing...

2008-03-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

I've Been Tagged - Twice!!!
Guess this means I'm really makin' it as a blogger...I'm so honored to have been tagged by two fellow papercrafters whose work is absolutely awesome! Please check out Created From Paper, the blog of my dear friend, Jennifer Ellefson, and It's in the Cards, the blog belonging to my new cyber pal, Jean. Both tags require that the "taggee" list 6 or 7 little-known kinda-quirky facts about herself, so here goes:

1. I will never pass up the chance to watch The Brady Bunch! Being a child of the 60's & 70's, of course I've seen every show 3 million times, but there's just something about the innocence and the ease (and timeliness!) of which family problems are solved. And even just the chance to regress back to my own childhood for a half-hour is such a tonic for me!

2. While I try to "behave" in public when it comes to exercising and eating, what goes on behind closed doors is an ENTIRELY different story...For example, I make brownies under the guise of "treating my kids", but the truth is I need my fix of that rich, fudgy batter! I think my cover has been blown though, because when the brownie come out of the oven, they're usually sunk in the middle and about the height of a slice of bologna!

3. This one might not be entirely original: I am SUCH a shopaholic (and not proud of it) for all things paper and stamps that I've got duplicates coming out the wazoo...stamps, patterned paper, colors of cardstock, inkpads, embellishments, even Cuttlebug folders and dies! But this means good news for you, the reader: I PLAN ON GIVING AWAY LOTS OF BLOG CANDY throughout the coming weeks! This makes me feel so good, knowing that my overindulgence will be going to a good (& enthusiastic) cause! I'm sharin' the passion, baby!

4. Now this is something I AM proud of: I volunteer for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. For the past year or so, I've tutored students in ESL (English as a 2nd language). My last student was a Muslim woman from Turkey, and I can EASILY say that I learned AT LEAST as much from her as she did from me...what a way to spread your wings and learn about the world (and of course give back in the process). I'm starting with a new student next week...an attorney from Paraguay. How cool is that?!

5. Let's get back to retro TV (can enough EVER be said?!)...Leave it to Beaver really rocks my world, too! The ORDERLINESS of it all - from June's housekeeping, to Wally & the Beaver's respectfulness, to Ward's kind-but-firm discipline, even the B&W format - it's all so zen-like for me...almost catatonic, but in a good way. People who love me tell me it's NOT REAL LIFE (even for the 50's/60's), but I know better! Now...if I could just jump thru the screen and bring some of that peace & harmony to my own life!

6. This is kinda boring, but it's big (and NOT in a good way) for me. I had TWO foot surgeries back in the Fall. I used to jog (obsessively!) back in my college days, and over the past 5 or so years I had gotten back into it...I was even working up to doing some charity runs, etc. But it all came crashing down about a year ago: I developed this intense stinging pain in the ball of my foot. Turned out it was a Morton's neuroma, and I wanted to return to the treadmill again so badly that I decided to go under the knife and have it removed. Well, the procedure went well, but because I had had cortisone shots prior to the surgery, the incision became infected and I had to go back in again for a (almost emergency) follow-up surgery. And now here we are in March, and guess what? Still got that intense stinging pain!!! Looks like it has to be the elliptical for me from now on...

7. And lastly...I am a giant Sudoku addict! I literally have to hide my puzzle book or I'll end up spending the whole day doing them, just watching the laundry pile up and the dinner NOT getting made! At least they're sposed to be good for the brain...!

Ok, that's it for me. Since I'm new to blogging, I'm gonna have to randomly pick some participants out there and just hope that they'll be willing participants. So I thank those "lucky" girls in advance! Oh, and here are the official rules of this game:

1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six (or 7) non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their site

Here are my taggees, whose blogs sooooooooo spark my creativity and whose praises I can't sing loud enough:

http://juliesinkspot.blogspot.com/
http://www.canyousayaddictedtostamps.blogspot.com/
http://wooddeboraha.blogspot.com/
http://cardsandlayouts.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrapnextras.com/
http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/

2008-03-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

PTI RAK Cards - Awesome!
I signed up for Papertrey Ink's RAK forum and the beautiful cards are comin' in! This card here on the right is my very first receipt - it's from Holly (thanks again, Holly!), and I can hear those soft, pretty colors just calling out "SPRING"
(which I really appreciate, as it continues to snow here in Pittsburgh).

The card below just came today, and it's from Niki! Hard to tell from the photo, but she made Hanna's raincoat & boots, as well as the puddle beneath her, so shiny & realistic - what a great idea for this image! Thanks, Niki!

And this one also came today...it's from Anya (a fellow Pittsburgher!). LOVE how she did the background and also the little water-marked blossom layered over the sentiment. She even did a little liner on the inside with a matching image - so cute! Thanks, Anya!

This whole RAK thing is awesome; like Christmas morning as a kid - but EVERY DAY! The little notes that come with the cards are such a nice connection! It's great to "get together" with other stampers in this manner - such fun & inspiration! Look for more posts as they arrive...Thanks for sharing!

2008-03-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

My BIG News!!!
I am so excited I could burst...I made the Clear Dollar Stamps design team!!! Over the past year or so, I have so totally fallen in love with CD Stamps...the quality, the value the customer service, the vast & varied selection, and most of all, the ORIGINALITY. And now I can call myself a dt member...I am soooooooo beyond honored and thrilled that I couldn't possibly put it into words! I made this post in celebration of my news and I think I'll send it off to Lori, CD's wonderful "Mom", as a tiny thank you! This card uses the "Bradley Alphabooster" alphabet and "Kiss the Cook" sets. The solid brown ribbon is one of the most gorgeous ribbons I have EVER seen; I got it from the Flourishes website and can't wait to get more (hopefully in other colors, too!). The tan panel was Cuttlebugged with the "Spots and Dots" folder. The pink/red squares ribbon is from Michael's and the skinny pink/white gingham ribbon is from Cosmo Cricket's Nursery Palette collection. It's hard to tell from the photo, but I randomly stamped the rolling pin image in watermark ink on the red background. Also hard to see (think I need a new camera?!): I embellished the pie with Delta Paint Jewels (Ruby Red - on the cherry), Ranger Ice Stickles (Coffee Ice - on the crust edges) and SU Crystal Effects (the pink pie pan).

Well, thanks for letting me gush...be sure to look for oodles more CD Stamp cards here on my blog, and in the meantime, check out their website and see what all the excitement is about!

2008-03-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

Chocolate & Blue Papertrey Ink Cards
Count me in (along with 7 million others!) as a huge PTI fan! Here are 2 of 3 PTI cards I've done with-in the past 2 days (the 3rd I'm sending to my very first-ever RAK recipient...I'm such a fan that I joined the PTI forum and the newly formed RAK group). I used the "Limitless Labels" and "Take a Bough" sets for these cards. And speaking of PTI, I'm soooooooo honored to be able to call one of PTI's new DT members a real, live (as opposed to cyber!) friend and paper-crafting mentor!!! Jennifer Ellefson has quite the extensive resume and she has been totally & completely INVALUABLE to me in my crafting ventures as of late (and all talk of stamps and paper aside, she's a truly wonderful person, too!). Please stop by her blog and say "Hi"!

2008-02-29T14:57:00.001-08:00

The Cookie Cutter Idea
We live right down the street - literally - from a famous landmark (it was even featured on the Food Network)...an old-fashioned candy store that people from all parts of the country have visited in search of long-lost sweets from their childhood and just the experience of a by-gone penny candy era (complete with working antique cash registers). And in addition to any sort of candy you could ever want, you will also find COOKIE CUTTERS in abso-lutely every possible shape! Not sure how a candy store got into the cookie cutter business, but as a mother of young kids (who have birthday parties and many school functions), I'm just glad they did! AND... cookie cutters aren't just for bakers...they're for cardmakers, too! How, you ask? They make the perfect "tie-on" and continue the theme of your card! Lightweight and inexpensive, a cookie cutter turns your card into a gift. And to finish off MY cards here, I tucked a Lone Star Steakhouse giftcard inside (like I mentioned in my previous post, we got a LOT of help!). So though these aren't my favorite cards, I did want to share the whole "cookie cutter on a card" concept. Thanks for checkin' in! Oh, and a big P.S. - cutters make aweso me templates for all your paper projects, too! Have fun...

2008-02-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

Horse Show Thank You Cards
I so don't feel these cards are my best works of art, but I wanted to post them for practical purposes, as a card/small
"thank you" gift idea. Here's the story behind them: My daughter, who will soon be 13 (ugggghhhhh!), began showing horses thru our local 4-H group last summer. While we don't own our own horse (yet, at least!), she was given "Lucy" for the summer (we kind of leased her from our group leader) and with lots of hard work and dedication, she had a banner first year, even making it to "Districts" at the end of the show season! Well, as it was our first experience with the whole showing thing (and all that goes along with it), we really had to rely on several more experienced girls and their families for help and advice. From the girl that let us borrow her show halter, to the Dad that taught us how to administer that pre-show horse bath (!), to the Mom who french-braided my daughter's hair on show day, we got such amazing and enthusiastic help from so many people, that I couldn't WAIT to say "Thank You" as the season came to a close. So being the cardmaker that I am, I pulled out the kraft cs, blue jeans dp, some twine & jute, and the old west-style alphabet and cowgirl stamp sets (both from Close to My Heart) and went to town!

2008-02-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

Doodlebug Halloween

Thinking ahead again...this time to Halloween! This card was done with an acrylic stamp set from Hamp-ton Art for Doodlebug, and the bat is from the Doodlebug Cuttlebug (it's all about the bug!) Halloween die (I backed the eyes with a scrap of orange cs and lifted his wings for dimension). The card base was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and then decorated with dp from Cloud 9 (I think from their cat line, but can't recall the official collection name right now). The house was shaded with SU watercolor crayons and the windows made glassy with SU's Crystal Effects. "Bit off" the corners of each layer of the matted house and added Making Memories brads. I used my big old "antique" (the original!) Sizzix machine with the circle die (4 sizes), sponged distress ink on each of them, and paper-pierced the left side of 3. Finally, I bundled up some lengths of ric-rac and glue-dotted them to the circles then finished it off with Stardust Stickles in the letters. Thanks for celebrating early with me and have a wonderful weekend!

2008-02-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanks-giving?!
Yes! You gotta think ahead for those magazine submissions (some of them have already closed their calls for T-Giving cards!). I designed this one around last week's Splitcoast sketch challenge. The cute turkey is from Inky Antics and after shading him with Copics and popping up his body with foam adhesive, I coated him with an "antique" glass finish (I think from Plaid). Dug down deep into my tool stash and pulled out the corner slot punch (now there's a tool that hasn't seen the light of day in quite some time!) so I could thread more of that wonderful Stampin' Up linen floss. All the dp is K & Co "McKenna" collection except the plaid which is Paper Pizazz. Ribbons are Offray (black & tan) and Prima (white floral). The card base is Bazzill. One final touch: I used my embossing stylus to create a subtle border around both the pinkish and the cream squares (too lazy to pull out my Nestabilities, plus my squares were already cut). Thanks for looking!

2008-02-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

A Happy Life...
The second card I did for the Splitcoast weekly color challenge. This time I used the "Little Lady" set from Papertrey Ink. The cardstock is Lasting Impression and came pre-embossed. Used the Making Memories paper distresser tool (another of my fave standby tools) to rough up the edges of the turquoise panel. Used a Cuttlebug die to cut a tag from the same kraft paper for the little "celebrate" message and tied it to the ribbons with SU's linen floss (use THAT all the time, too!). The highlight of this card (in my humble opinion!) are the raised wings...did this simply by stamping a 2nd set of wings on scrap cs, cutting them out (it's only one piece despite the plurality) and making a score line down the center; fold both sides upward at the score mark and there you go! To attach the wings to the card I ran a thin line of glue along the underside of the crease and held it in position for a couple secs and that's it! After the glue dried completely, I punched a couple random holes thru the wings for the brads (turquoise ones are Making Memories and are glitter-coated). Micro holes in the scallops of the white oval are a final touch. Thanks for taking a look!

2008-02-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

Hoppy Birthday

Did this one for last week's Splitcoast color challenge... we had to use Stampin' Up's Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise and a kraft/tan color. These stamps are from Clear Dollar Stamps, an awesome company I found on Ebay. Cute, cute images, great prices and excellent customer service! Not sure that you can see it in the pic, but the balloons were Diamond Glazed for shine, Stickles glitter was used on the gray areas of the mushroom and a seed bead was glued to each of the flower centers. Also, I popped up Mr. Froggy with foam adhesive and used googly eyes for added dimension. The horizontal turquoise panel was run thru my ever-faithful Cuttlebug machine (can't wait to get the NEW embossing folders I preordered awhile ago!), and another favorite crafting staple - my circle and scallop punch collection - left their mark yet again! Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for another card that answers this same color challenge!

2008-02-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Magnolia Fly-By!
I did this card for last week's Splitcoast sketch challenge (#162). Another 'Mag- nolia' stamp shaded with Stampin' Up watercolor crayons (and though she's got her snow hat and scarf on, I just HAD to put her on a GREEN leaf...Spring must be right around the corner!). Her wings were painted with Stickles Stardust and the pom-pom on her cap was liquid-appliqued. The metallic cardstock is Bazzill and was run thru my Cuttlebug using the swirls embossing folder. The dp is MME's 'Bohemia' line. Buttons are Autumn Leaves and were threaded with linen floss. I'm not sure who the ribbon belongs to...possibly Stampin' Up. Thanks for visiting!

2008-02-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

Another Zoofari Card...
...And more Crate Paper dp (this is all from the Cowgirl collection btw)...And more scallop circles! The inside of the card could really say anything (a general "HI" or a birthday wish, for example).
"Swingin'" was made from Doodlebug alphabet stamps and highlighted with Copics (in fact, ALL shading was done with Copics). Hard to tell in the pic, but the monkey is actually a scallop tag that's kind of hanging off the ribbon with twine. Ameri-can Crafts rub-on letters spell out the rest of the message and the buttons are Making Memories. Lots of edge-inking with Ranger Antique Linen and a heavy hand with the Crystal Stickles (!) provide the final touch.

2008-02-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Sweet on A Muse!
This card's color scheme goes with my very first post (of just last week), but this time I used images from A Muse, definitely one of my all-time favorites stamp lines. The lollipop girl and the piece of candy (used in the background) are A Muse. The phrase stamp (use it ALL the time, especially with all the images of bakery goods and other sweets I own!) is from Penny Black (it actually reads "sweet, sweet you" but I shaded selectively!). I colored the girl with Stampin' Up watercolor crayons and added some glitter to the lollipop. The dp is Crate Paper, the ribbon is Basic Grey (red/blue dots) and Mike's, and the button is Close to My Heart. Brads are Making Memories and scallop punches are Marvy (I pierced the bumps in the white scallop using a micro hole punch). I think the tab punch is EK Success. This would make a great Valentine or a loving "Thank You" message.

2008-02-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

Summoning Spring!
What better way to call up spring than a hot air balloon?! This one's from JustJohanna and was stamped first on the white cs panel, then again on Daisy D dp. I cut out the balloon and the basket from the dp and applied them to their corres-ponding spots on the white panel. Doodlebug and Making Memories flowers are sailing along for the ride, and American Crafts alpha rub-ons were used to spell out "let your dreams". The "soar" is a Doodlebug acrylic alpha set and was shaded with Copics. I Cuttlebugged the light blue panel, cut a few more scraps from the same dp line and used my jumbo scallop scissors along the bottom of the yellow card. Lastly, everything gets "seasoned" with Ranger's Antique Linen distress ink, and that's that. Here's to an early Spring!

2008-02-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Jungle Love!
Another Figgy Puddy Valen-tine! Same "In the Wild" stamp set. See post below for other details cause all products/makers are the same! For black & red striped ribbon, I just made 3 loops and tucked them under the layered zebra image, then popped him up with foam adhesive. The punched corners are also popped up, and it's hard to see but there's a bit of paper-piercing on this card also...near the right edge on each side of the pink ribbon. Thanks for taking a look!