Cow Pies

Scramp Station

2012-01-08T17:17:00.000-05:00

My stamping & scrapping space is in need of reorganization because there's a reason I'm not SMASHing. Plus, I'm also doing Project Life this year.

For SMASHing and PLing, I need supplies right at hand. With birthday gift card from the DH and Christmas gift card from Mom...and I have $$ left...I purchased two desk caddies at Michael's. Rearranged some things and I now have a work space that looks like this:

Loving all the workspace!

See the big space to work in? Love it!

Here's a different angle:

Scramp Station from another angle.

What I used to have:

Prior arrangement.

I moved my carousel from the right to the left. I'm right handed, but it frees up more useable space this way. I moved the photo printer to a different location. The larger printer shown in the first picture, on the far right, is still in the same location.

Let's step back a little bit and see the rest of this section of the scramp station.

Hope you enjoyed the peek at my scramp station!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Project Life Ideas

2011-12-20T14:35:00.001-05:00

I'm seriously thinking about jumping on the Project Life bandwagon...SMASHbook style. I already keep an agenda type calendar - I can write down what we do & where we need to go...all in one place. SMASHbook style means any size goes when keeping memorabilia! It also means I can be free with my style. Textures, interaction....freedom!

So...what supplies do I need?

Modified SMASHbook...an artsy book from Mike's or I may just use the one I have...I haven't done too much SMASHing in my current book. OR an old style scrapbook. Remember those with the rough gray pages? One of those!
Date stamp - definitely purchase
Journaling blocks & tags - I can make these! I already have some made, too.
Dig out my old typewriter - a great idea from Michelle Wooderson! Now I know what I can do with my typewriter. LOL.
Print my pictures at home - I already have the stuff! Go for it! Quicker & no waiting period.
Use my stash & anything that suits my fancy!

This is just a start. What suggestions would you have for this project?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Peace on Earth

2011-12-09T07:11:00.001-05:00

I love this stamp set. It was a hostess set named Peaceful Season. Paired with Letters to Santa DSP and some NEW Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon. OK. I'm so not the PINK gal! But I love this stuff! Take a peek!

Check out the amazing details & textures on the card! The blue panel I received through SCS Wish RAK several years ago. It's pressure embossed with snowflakes on textured CS. That snowflake...is not really a snowflake. It's a doily. SU! has a triple layer doily punch...I tell ya...they look like durn snowflakes. I have yet to use them as doilies...and why buy a snowflake punch when ya already got a great substitute!?! LOL. Saving those FRNs. ;-)

Speaking of FRNs...everything on this card...I guess...was from stash. I DID buy the Letters to Santa DSP because I didn't have any Christmas DSP. The pleated ribbon IS new...but it's more of a repurpose...it's not advertised as being used on Christmas cards. It's not available for purchase by the general public until January 2, as it's featured in the upcoming SU! Ocassions Mini.

It's so luscious! I loved rubbing my finger across the pleats...sigh...nice stuff! Truly.

Inside, I stamped a snowflake trio and a sentiment! The sentiment is from a virgin stamp set (not seen ink yet) named Season of Simple Grace.

I'm mailing these out in clear envies! Since I gotta pay an extra 20 cents for the bumps...the brad & ribbons...I'm gonna use a clear envelope! A first for me, as I've not mailed anything in a clear envelope yet. It's actually kind of cool. I received a card with a button in a clear envelope the other day! Cool!

I made SIX of these. I think SIX is a good number to "mass produce". I tried that mass produce thing one year...with embossed images. I wonder why I have not used EP (embossing powder) lately. LOL. I do have some NEW scented EP from SU! I hope it smells good. And heck naw...they didn't put out chocolate scented EP. More like cherry, orange & melon. Those are summer scents. Maybe we'll get chocolate next time. :-D

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Baby Shower Gift Bag & Tag

2011-09-12T06:00:00.013-04:00

Sunday was my niece's baby shower. A bouncing baby boy should be making an appearance soon...so I'll be a great aunt...I mean...I'm a great aunt already (as in a wonderful out of this world fantastic aunt.) This will make it official!

I picked up this cute onsie at Kohl's on Saturday.

Guess I could stamp "GREAT" in front of that aunt...in Stazon using Stampin' Up! Family Reunion. Hmmmm....

Carter's and in my FAVORITE COLOR! Am I awesome or what? I can toot my horn some more and say it only costed me 6 FRNs. :-D Not much green for all that green. LOL I love it!

OH. The baby shower gift bag and tag. Ahem. Let's see...

Store bought bag...I'm gonna miss it.
Faux blue jean bag complete with a pocket!

The bag is full of ca-ute baby clothes. Baby clothes are so cute. Mom told me to go get a baby doll. LOL.

Tag close up. Says at the top...
"It started with a kiss and ended like this."
**grin**

Gotta hold it together somehow.
Pretty 5/8" Old Olive satin ribbon from SU!

The whole shebang...card box contains the Thank You cards.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day my friends!

Sewing Stuff

2011-09-11T06:00:00.012-04:00

I had a wonderful time Saturday shopping with MOM! We went to Kohl's and Wal-mart. I love Kohl's. I like Wal-mart, too. It's a necessity.

Mom's a quilter. Think she'll like this one?

You'll remember Counterfeit Button Packets from here. I also made the thread / spools and the tape measure...I have not yet made a post on those two projects. All THREE were made on several different Saturdays at Mom's house. LOL.

Inside.

This is the first time I've used Stampin' Up! Memories for Mom. I love the sentiments in this set. Perfect for MY Mom. ;-) I put three of 'em on a clear block and stamped! Easy.

So...whacha think?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

More Decorated Onesies

2011-09-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

Concord Crush & Perfect Plum

Peach Parfait & Cajun Craze

Which one is your favorite so far?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Decorating Onesies

2011-09-08T06:00:00.014-04:00

The stamp set I wanted for the inside of the card arrived - SU!'s Little Additions. Now I can start putting together:

Die cut images from PTI's It's a Jungle Out There.

Onsie die cuts.

Die cut card bases.

Notice each onsie has a different main color. I had added a sticky note to each onsie noting the coordinating color I wished to use for ink.

First up were the Pear Pizzaz duo - striped and polka dotted. The paper is from the SU! Designer Series Patterns Pack In Color.

Here's some pics of the steps in creating these two cards...

Choose die cut - I chose the Giraffe.

Choose the die cut and select TWO colors. The PTI set It's a Jungle Out There is a two step set. My colors were Garden Green and Pear Pizzaz, a SU! Dynamic Duo! They sound like Super Heros. Maybe they are...hmmm...

Stamp the spots in Garden Green.

Stamp the body in Pear Pizzaz.

Image from SU! Little Additions.
We'll fill in the blanks when the baby gets here!

Envelopes using PTI Bundle of Love.

There will be a bunch in different colors. I'll post 'em as I get them done...in pairs...complete with envelopes!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

ETA: These cards fit in a standard (card) size envelope.

Wandering Words, a SMASHing idea book page

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

A quick project, a SMASHing idea book page and the cover for the stamp storage case. I believe I bought this set wood mounted...and never mounted it on the wood. LOL. Do you have any unmounted stamp sets...purchased and not yet used? (ahem) When I get all my stamp sets "logged" into my SMASHing idea book...I won't. LOL.

I really want to get into the moment here...when I buy it, use it. No saving it for later! Do it NOW! Later, I forget WHY I bought something and HOW I was inspired to use it. Gotta change that!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip @ 16

2011-09-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

I was looking for some paper to use for this picture and for the upteenth time passed by this SU! Specialty Pack...was I saving it for a "special project"? HUH? What's more special than this project? ;-)

I don't remember the name of this SU! Specialty paper pack, but I used the heavy shimmery copper, the satin stripe Whisper White and the stain stripe Crumb Cake. I love it! It really did not photograph well.

I'm no longer a paper hoarder. Seriously. How am I going to enjoy the beautifuf paper when the paper is in a drawer? I'm not. Or the pictures while they are in a frame in the closet or an envelope in a box? I'm not.

I can now just open an album...and enjoy the pictures for which I handed over a bunch of FRNs AND the gorgeous paper that...well...I had to hand over a bunch of FRNs for, too. LOL. Point is...if it's good enough to buy, good enough to keep, find a way to enjoy it. I think I watched WAY to much Clean Sweep. LOL. Nope...I like that show! The one thing I took away from that show is if you're gonna keep something, honor it. Place it somewhere you can enjoy it. Otherwise, it probably needs to go.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

New (to me) Technique

2011-09-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

There's been lots of posts & challenges lately using colored pencils to color stamped images. Flashback! When I was in school, I called these "map pencils" because we had to have them to color maps in geography class!

To try this technique, I didn't have to purchase ANY special tools. I had these items around already.

Stamp your image in Staz-on and color away! Then use a blending pen dipped in baby oil and blend. Best results occur when coloring in small circles and blending in small circles.

I was practicing a new technique and used the results for my SMASHing idea book. It's a very relaxing & fun technique. This is also the first time I've inked up Stampin' Up!'s Havvest Home. I think I know why; it requires coloring. LOL. And I cannot find ANYTHING using Havest Home saved to my favorites on SCS. HUH? Why did I buy this? Have you ever asked that question?

Guess I'll find something to do with it...otherwise it was just a practice set for a new technique. LOL.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Z is for Zebra

2011-08-29T06:00:00.003-04:00

I got two birds with one stone with this one...a card / idea I wanted to case, which was the flash card idea AND finished a DTGD challenge I didn't finish before the DTGD deadline. Nothing like finishing up unfinished biz-ness.

This wasn't intended to be a baby boy card AT ALL! But it sure looks like one! The DSP is retired SU! Summer Picnic - which doesn't sound like baby boy material...but it is what it is...and I now have a baby boy card to send. Guess I should go ahead and finish up the inside and do an enevelope...

Better! I brought the front inside and the inside to the envelope. LOL. I pulled the sentiment from another PTI set...Bundle of Love.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is ELEVEN!

2011-08-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

...and now a Boy Scout!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is EIGHT!

2011-08-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

I love this mix of patterned papers! The purple is pulled from the moddled background! Perfect plum! Yummy! All products Stampin' Up! 'cept the kid...and the photograph.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is TEN!

2011-08-26T06:00:00.007-04:00

...and he's a Webelos Scout!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip @ 13

2011-08-25T06:00:00.008-04:00

A western themed photo...taken at the age of 13. I dug out some SU! Outlaw DSP, and paired it with some Chocolate Chip and PTI Ocean Tides. I'm pulling out the "antique green / gray" in the background of the photo as I do not want to compete with the red shirt.

Green and red are complementary colors - they are opposite each other on the color wheel and they bring out the best in each other. Kind of like best friends! They are high energy colors, but this subdued green doesn't compete with the red.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Welcome Baby!

2011-08-17T06:00:00.006-04:00

I think this one has to be my favorite...just because there were some pleasant surprises on how this came together.

The DSP is Urban Oasis...unopened pack in the drawer. I never thought it would look good on a baby page until I busted open the pack and saw the REST of the patterns. This is THREE patterns from the Urban Oasis pack. The Baja Breeze is a good match for the blue in the picture. I tried out my new Spellbinders New Arrival Dies I purchased from HSN. Ho hum...they are supposed to cut (they did), emboss (huh? really hard to see) and stencil (yep - use a marker...does a good job). I just wasn't WOW'd by 'em, ya know? The baby sure is cute. Phillip said the stork should be white, not brown...I told him the bird was just dirty and needed a bath. ;-) More Tidy Alpha for my title. I'll fill in the details on the Becky Higgins journaling card.

I think this is a cute baby page...not to overwhelming BABY, but with classic elements.

Whatcha think?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

The first year

2011-08-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

...photos were taken at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year. Today I share 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year. Same layout, different colors. Enjoy!

You can check out other ages & posts here!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is TWO!

2011-08-15T06:00:00.004-04:00

If you've been following my latest series of posts, I have been scrapping the formal birthday pictues of Phillip. You can check out previous posts HERE.

Today, I showcase age TWO. And John Deere!

Don't you just love that DSP? It's from the mollymoo store. Ok ok...ahem...it's counterfeit. LOL. Creative Imaginations John Deere stickers...I have...ahem...FOUR sheets of them. So...I just randomly attached stickers to a 12 x 12 piece of Whisper White!

For this layout, I omitted the 2 inch strip that is usually on the 7 1/2 inch panel...why cover up all those nice John Deere images?

The "O" looks off...but it's not...maybe it should be off so it would look straight? I dunno...but it's straight. I used a ruler.

I hope you are enjoying the series and will be inspired to scrap your own formal photos after they have been enjoyed hanging on the wall...you can then open your scrapbook and enjoy the pictures AND your DSP / embellishment stash. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is FOUR!

2011-08-14T06:00:00.008-04:00

Very rarely do I buy a non-SU! paper collection and buy the whole nine yards! I love this Basic Gray Archaic collection...I purchased the fibers, the chipboard, the rub-ons and the whole 12 x 12 paper pack. I even purchased the 6 x 6 paper pack. Told ya I had it bad. LOL.

I have a few sheets of the 12 x 12 paper pack left. That's OK because I get to look at and ENJOY that beautiful paper and the pictures I have placed on that paper.

Sometimes it's hard to pair up non-SU! paper with SU! colors...best thing to do is go for coordinating colors. In this case, the best colors from SU! were Always Artichoke and Bordering Blue. And yep...that "f" and "o" are stuck on the picture. LOL. And I have no problem with it. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is SIX!

2011-08-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

And I love Blues Clues! I found a clue! I found a clue!

Let's get out our handy dandy notebook...ah. I found the Blues Clues print on the Nick Jr website! I paired it up with SU! Night of Navy & Pacific Point. (sigh) What can I say...I love Blue!

Did you watch Blues Clues with your kiddo?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip @ 12

2011-08-11T06:00:00.007-04:00

Just graduated from elementary school! No not recently...but back in 2006. I'm taking a trip back down the memory lane this week scrapping the annual formal pics of my son, Phillip.

Same layout, different papers, different photo, different look and feel.

This is a combination of DSP from SU! Ski Slope and Tall Tales. I was pulling my colors from his necktie. I didn't not want more black as a dominant color, nor did I want to compete with the red. The tie has blue, soft yellow & brown as well as black with white stripes. I chose the soft yellow and the chocolately brown. I had no idea what to use for my third color. Then I rememberd a DTGD challenge on SCS to "fall back on black". As an accent, the black worked out well.

I decided to use SU! scallop trim border punch on the black strip to give it some punch. LOL.

The focus of these pages is the formal picture. All the pictures have a different feel and I liked the layout so much, so I chose to use the same layout for each picture. I love digging through my DSP stash. It feels GREAT to be using this stuff!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip @ 14!

2011-08-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

This was the last formal picture made while he had his braces.

I asked Phillip what colors would go good with this black & white picture...um...black & white, he said. LOL. I added the pop of Pacific Point! That DSP is a specialty pack...I think it's actually a Halloween DSP pack. The name is Night & Day.

I busted out the new lace border punch. I know...lace on a boy page...but this doesn't look girly at all!

This has to be my favorite page so far.

I just love the elegance of a black & white photo...but it's a casual pose...and one handsome young man!

Same layout as Monday and Tuesday...different papers, different pictures, different looks.

This is fun! Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip @ 15!

2011-08-09T06:00:00.011-04:00

Oh my goodness. I about cried after I got this one done. I guess I hadn't had any time to ENJOY this picture. But I do now. See...

I found the perfect place for it to hang on the wall of my stamp room / office / game room / tv room.

Same layout as yesterday...but all patterned paper from SU!'s retired Prestwick. Numerals are SU! Timeless Type chipboard. I did add a Becky Higgins journaling card to this one, tucked under the photo.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Phillip is FIVE!

2011-08-08T06:00:00.007-04:00

I'm getting up my courage to scrap all those formal 8 x 10 pictures from each birthday! Here's number FIVE!

I've now created the first page for his baby book. LOL. It wasn't too bad. I used glue dots to adhere the picture to a Night of Navy mat and then double matted with Early Expresso. I love how the Early Expresso brings out his dark brown sparkling eyes.

This layout was scraplifted from a page by Mary Larson as shown in Creating Keepsakes, a treasury of favorites. I die cut the title from SU!'s Simple Letters Alphabet. There might be journaling in the blank Soft Suede section under the title...then again, there might not.

It's very clean & simple. I wanted to make the photo the focal point of the page...as it was the whole point of the page. LOL.

It feels good to be starting on this. I've thought about it for a long time. I want to look at these & enjoy these when I'm in the mood, not look at the box they are stored in.

Well...thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Paper Piercing

2011-08-04T06:00:00.015-04:00

There are several paper piercing challenges out this week! I didn't plan to use paper piercing on this SMASHbook page, but it ws sure screaming for it!

And whadayano! It fit the bill! Don't ya just love it when a project just comes right on together!

I took the picture during tax season of a stack of returns. I love the naked chipboard...I found it on the SU! clearance rack - Timeless Type.

The manila tag is cut from old manila folders. I created a stack of these in various sizes a while back. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the largest tag fits perfectly in the SU! Rectangle Glassine envelope! The calendar, I printed from the web. And I freehand pierced around the numerals and pound sign so they would stand out against the background.

So glad I found a use for a sheet of that "office supply" DSP I purchased from SU! I'm pretty pleased with this page...it feels good to be using up the ole' stash!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

The Greatest American Hero!

2011-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

...is Captain America! I grew up in the world of Super Friends...Superman, Wonder Woman and, of course, Captain America! We went on Sunday to see the new movie in 3-D.

And I had to make a SMASH page! I forgot to get the ticket stubs from Mom...but never fear...my PTI "Just the Ticket" stamp set and the ticket die arrived the other day!

Some PTI stamp sets have fifty million pieces and are a booger to stamp. ;-) That said, I do like this stamp set and I LOVE the die! I had die cut FAR more tickets than I used...as I said, it was tough stamping straight. And no...didn't have any margaritas while stamping either. LOL

I went to my "go to" alpha set...Tidy Alphabet for the title.

The stars underneath the title are die cuts I received in a scrapbooking kit.

This is the second 3D movie we've seen this year. I think I'm 3D'd out. What good movies have you seen lately?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Farm Friends

2011-08-02T06:00:00.002-04:00

This card, I made several years ago. If I'm remembering correctly, it was a case of something Gina K Designs related.

The patterned paper is actually Basic Grey paper - from the Blush collection and it coordinates very well with SU! Real Red and Close to Cocoa. The designer paper covers a piece of chipboard from SU!'s On Board Accents. The animals are from an older SU! set that I no longer have. The animals were colored with markers and the sheep has Tulip White Puffy paint on it. According to the sticky note inside the card, (which, by the way, doesn't list the SU! set, but lists all the other supplies. LOL) it appears the card used to have a prima flower or two and some fibers...I think it looks fine without 'em. They sure weren't on there when I pulled the card out of the card drawer.

Thanks for taking a trip down the memory lane with me. It's fun to look at projects created a while back.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

SMASH Book Pages - Timeline Divider

2011-08-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

I researched various quotes on the web. I found five I particularly like. I'm using my stash AND the counterfeit paper & pockets.

My son didn't 'get" the bathroom minute. I think he's spoiled. Me, having grown up in a family of four with ONE bathroom...ahem.

We went to see Captain America in 3D yesterday. Here's something totally unrelated to creating...but it sure is cute!

Not only does he have on 3D glasses...he has the ear phones, too. LOL. He was out getting in some running time...he greeted us as we arrived home from the moo'vie!

How's your SMASHbooking coming along? SMASHing? ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Cow Piles, 9 Layers & Unfinished Bizness

2011-07-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Remember the Cow Piles? Here's one all colored up and pasted in my SMASHing idea book!

I colored the pile of Cow Piles with SU! Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an aquapainter! I was planning to make Cow Appreciation Day cards to take to work. That didn't happen. Then yesterday, the stars aligned! LOL. A Stampin' Flybabies stamping challenge to use NINE layers AND an SCS sketch challenge from Wednesday...plus the mollymoo challenge to finish unfinished bizenss...and I just plumb felt up to a challenge or two or three!

Viola!

A nine layer cow pile card...and that don't count the pile of cows!

Am I going to take the remaining four cow piles and create FOUR more NINE layer cards? I reckon so. I think the key to a great nine layer card is that it doesn't look like you tried to make a nine layer card. I think I got it!

Have you made a nine layer card? How'd you feel about it?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Ruff Day? (a SMASHing idea book)

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here's another page I created for my SMASHing idea book using Ruff Day from Stampin' Up! (retired). I had stamped these and included them in the original sheet protector / three ring binder book I mentioned HERE.

Here they are trimmed out & colored with SU! markers...making their debut in a SMASHing idea book!

a SMASHing idea book page for Ruff Day

Looking at them in the SMASHing idea book gives me more ideas than thinking this is "just a dog set" (stored in drawer method) or the impersonal feel of the images stored in sterile sheet protectors. I see birthday, I see encouragement, I see have a good trip...and that puppy about to pounce is just too darn cute! What other stamps do I have that I can mix & match with this one? Once I make that connection, I will write that down on the page!

Have you been inspired to create your own SMASHing idea book? Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect...and it's ALWAYS a work in progress. Enjoy the journey!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

a SMASHing Idea Book Pagination

2011-07-27T15:58:00.000-04:00

My SMASHing idea book is coming along with each project I create. Sometimes I do make the page before I put away the supplies from my projects, other times it's all about the page. The sets are in random order, so I have an index...

a SMASHing idea book - Index

...and page numbers...

a SMASHing idea book - Page numbers at the bottom of most pages

a SAMSHing idea book - Page numbers at the top of some pages

My SMASHing idea book is not an alphabetical index of what I HAVE, but rather an idea book of how to use what I have. My goal is to write down ideas before I purchase a set, then when the sets get here, make the SMASH book pages. I'll eventually have both - a stamp inventory AND an idea of what I wanted to use those sets for. The ultimate goal is to use what I have. Ideally, I won't be stumped for a crafting idea because I have realized there is no way humanly possible to use every craft product I have. I just have to keep my mojo flowing and if using an idea books on days it's not flowing freely gets it flowing, then I'm all for it. I have lots of ideas for things but I cannot do them all at once and I cannot use up precious brain cells trying to remember all of them. Brain cells are getting in short supply anyway.

When I started my page numbering, I chose my favorite SU! products.

Tidy Numbers (retired)

Tidy Alphabet and Tidy Numbers is my go to set! Easy to trim and looks good with just about everything!

Wild Wasabi ink.

A great way to use up scraps!

I do a little at a time, so I don't get bored and so I can use up scraps! Works for me. Have ou given any thought to how you inventory your stamp sets and / or keep up with your ideas for particular stamp sets? How do you do it?

On another note, I still haven't decoreated the outside of the book yet. LOL.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day.

Quick Thank You

2011-07-23T19:13:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post to show ya a quick thank you.

I am making thank you cards for ny niece's baby shower...I already had an idea in my idea book...then I hopped over to Nicole Heady's blog to check out the Stamp-A-Faire posts...and saw THIS challenge.

Clean, simple & quick! Plenty of space for a personal note to be written inside.

This was NOT my original plan, but did I mention, it was clean, simple & quick. LOL. I'm using supplies on hand - my new PTI Text Style Big & Bold Wishes and my new SU! Nursery Additions.

Thanks for stopping by! Have moo'valous day!

Money Holder

2011-07-21T06:55:00.000-04:00

Know all those FRNs I've been saving by not spending...I gave them to my son for his birthday. LOL. I created a money holder like the ones from the bank to hold the FRN.

I used colors from the color challenge, CC332 - I think it was Pool Party with Wasabi Chips?...that means...Pool Party, Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi...all colors I LOVE. Fishing Riley...purchased when the boy was in Scouts...never thought I would use it because he and his Daddy were going fishing at least once a week this month! WOW! Heck...I didn't think my husband was gonna go fishing. I'm still in shock. But it's a good shock. LOL

The longer Riley sits there, the better he looks.

I colored him with SU! Markers, I sold my Copics. Michelle Zindorf does a wonderful job showing ways to use the SU! Markers for shading. My marker storage system helps greatly with determining colors to use for shading. I made a note to share that in a future blog post.

One FRN by the name of Benjamin Franklin was inside.

I think this is the first time I've used that fishing pole stamp. I purchased it off E-bay in a "lot" of stamps.

HOW TO: I found the tutorial here: Stamp & Scrap with Frenchie. It's pretty straightforward. Pool Party panel is 8.5 x 6.5; scored at 3.25 & 6.5. The Chocolate Chip panel is 6 5/8 x 3 3/8.

It's a nice sturdy money holder...Mom suggested I do up some to hold the gift cards at Christmas time.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Goofy Smiles

2011-07-19T06:00:00.011-04:00

Googlie eyes are not just for Halloween!

Sunday, I played along with the Creative Crew and with the Featured Stamper Challenges. The Creative Crew is a Stampin' Up! Only Design Team on SCS. They issue four monthly challenges. This project meets the criteria for the color challenge, which was to showcase some new In-Colors. I used the new SU! Pool Party and Island Indigo. For the Featured Stamper Challenge, we were to CASE a project from teristampsalot's gallery. I chose this card to CASE.

I did use some retired sets...Tart and Tangy and Tidy Alpha. Tidy Alpha is my "go-to" alpha stamp set. I love it! I use it a bunch! It's so easy to cut...snip, snip, snip and snip. Done! I wanted to sew the title on...but I had used tape to adhere the Pool Party strip of CS and I didn't want to gum up my needle...so I used faux stitching.

I had fun with the fruit. I colored the strawberry with markers; stamped and punched the citrus fruit.

Citrus Fruit

I punched them out with the 1 1/4" punch. The 1" punch almost took off the rind...so 1 1/4" it was and then used the matching marker to color the white edge.

Aren't those googlie eyes cute?

The smiles are hand drawn with a black sharpie marker.

Inside of card.

Envelope.

Insde & envelope.

While I had the stamp sets out, I made the pages for the SMASHing idea book.

Tart & Tangy page in SMASHing idea book.

Smile Curve page in SMASHing idea book.

The whole shebang!

I had fun with this Featured Stamper Challenge. I love Teri's gallery.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Paper & Pockets - Part 2

2011-07-18T06:00:00.009-04:00

This is the pocket part. In yesterday's post, Paper & Pockets, I shared my faux spiral notebook paper. I needed that pocket die so I could slip in the paper. I need another hole in my head, too.

I discovered that library pockets are not hard to make at all. A simple library pocket is all I needed.

My finished NON-die cut library / journaling pocket.

How'd I get there?

Let's start with my choice of materials. Last week, I got two boxes of letter sized manila file folders at Office Depot...FREE after Rewards. YAY! for free craft stuff!

Free after rewards!

Guess I best start cutting these up!

Library pocket dimensions, cutting & scoring guidelines.

Simple cutting, scoring, snipping and taping.

So...put 'em together and whaddaya got?

Bibbity bobbity

BOOOOO!

Goodness! I love 'em!

Not boo...I do like Cinderella...who says shoes can't change ya life!? Anyhoo...yay, for shoes changing your life...and for NON die cut library pockets! I can decorate them and journal...looking forward to using these in my SMASH book and to using the same idea to create journaling cards / pockets for my son's baby book!

So, in two days, I've effectively talked myself out of THREE PTI purchases: (1) the spiral notebook paper die, (2) the library pocket die, (3) and the stamp set that stamps the lines on the paper.

Supplies.

Whacha think?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Paper & Pockets

2011-07-17T06:00:00.003-04:00

I'm always on the lookout for journaling goodies. It's hard for me to find that thing that will get me the "most bang for my buck". The other day, I saw something at papertreyink that I loved. A spiral notebook page die and a library pocket die! Oh yes!

Then I remembered...how silly to have a DIE to cut a rectangle. HELLO? Got a paper cutter?

I set out to see if I could re-create without the DIE and with my FRNs intact. (FRN - Federal Reserve Notes). ;-)

First up...spiral paper. I grabbed a couple sheets of Whisper White cardstock & started cutting.

Dimensions for the faux spiral notebook paper.

I originally planned to use SU!'s Spiral Punch...but it just didn't look right. Then I got to looking at that die again...and the holes are circular. Hmmmm....how do I do this?

That'll work. Now to punch 'em out!

Here's a comparison of the circular holes vs the SU! Spiral Punch.

Ok. I was feeling cheap...this is not looking "perfect". WHOA! Back up the train here! Perfect...it's not supposed to be perfect! Each item is not supposed to match exactly. It's hand crafted...granted...it's not TACKY, but the whole purpose of creating is to create, right? OK. I keep chugging along here...still sorta pining away for that die...I'm not giving up yet.

It's gotta look like it was ripped out.

Oh yeah...the die has perforations. I know...that "handy dandy" SU! Cutter Tool.

Ahem...now, this was a frustrating experiment. That "handy dandy" SU! Cutter Tool, among other things, has a perforation tool. Now, I could NOT get it to go straight, even againt a ruler. And I chugged and I chugged...I mean, I tried and tried. Then, I got frustrated. Bah!

I looked at the die, again...wait a minute...is that a row of round dots? Uh, huh. I grabbed the stitching template and the paper piercer and poked holes. That was fun! It's right up there with popping bubble wrap! :-D Poking holes in cardstock with a paper piercer! Fun!

Lined notebook paper needs lines. I don't need a stamp for lines either. I used a ruler, Bashful Blue marker and the grid on the mat from the mat stack. And NOPE, the lines are not perfectly spaced on each one of them. That's ok. They still look good.

Pile of hand designed spiral notebook paper.

These will make awesome journaling cards...they are unique and they have light lines for journaling.

Supplies.

I had fun with this...now I need a pocket...I'm drooling for a pocket die. I no longer want the spiral paper die. Now that I know how to make my own faux spiral notebook paper, I have no desire to purchase the die nor the stamp when I have the supplies, right here, on hand.

I'll show ya the pocket I created tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day.

Eyelets, Brads & Onesies

2011-07-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Remember when I went nuts with the PTI Onsie Die?

PTI Onsie Die Cut Outs

I'm making progress...all the onsies now have "snaps". I was going to use brushed silver brads; but as I got started, I found I liked the colored and white better. Each onsie has a sticky note that tells the DSP name and the coordinating colors. I wanted to use "basic" brads.

Marked & punched holes for the brads.

I used eyelets on a few onsies.

Eyelet onsie "snaps"

Most of them were decorated wtih brads.

Brad onsie "snaps"

Quite a few years ago, I particpated in a brad & eyelet share. I received all the current SU! colors in brads & eyelets, including that year's "in-colors". I remember it was the first year SU! had "in-colors". The brad & eyelet share arrived in bags and unlabeled. OMGosh! What a pain. I had to match up and label the brads & eyelets with the corresponding SU! color. I stored them in these:

Brad & eyelet storage for SU! basic brads

Brad & eyelet storage - bird's eye view

Remember, these are just the "standard" brads & eyelets, in solid SU! colors. I used a sharpie marker to label each compartment and each box. I store these in a labeled photo box.

Black photo box for storage of brad & eyelet cases

Brad & eyelet cases, in alpha order by the OLD SU! color families

I did not change the color families when SU! did the color renovation. First, because I won't have all the colors; second, I can recite the old color families in my sleep; third, too many retired. Oh heck...it's just easier! LOL. I do have my stamp pads and card stock by the new color families.

Brad & eyelet cases, in alpha order by the OLD SU! color families

Hope you enjoyed viewing the progress on the Onsie project AND the peek into my stamp room at one of my storage solutions.

Thanks for stopping by! Have moo'valous day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-07-12T06:00:00.004-04:00

Today is Dad's birthday.

He should be getting happy mail today. I love this card, inspired by a CAS challenge to create a card inspired by America the Beautiful. How about those amber waves of grain?

Look at the dimension shown in the sticker.

I even decorated the envelope.

Here's the inside.

America the Beautiful reminds me of Vacation Bible School. We always sang America the Beautiful after we pledged to the American Flag.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Composition Book Fever

2011-07-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sick.

35 composition books from Target at @40 cents each.

Seriously, I do feel bad today....my throat hurts, my forehead hurts...stop ripping off the tape! Ugh. And yeah...there's that composition book fever. 35 from Target at 40 cents a piece. I love composition books. My goodness! I never thought I would ever say that. I finally altered or covered my first one!

Budgets book.

For good financial health, create and USE a budget.

Budget - tell your money where to go!

Budgets are the key to financial success.

Budgets are a self check system. It has to balance. You should not spend more than you can bring in. Include your savings in your spending plan.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Budgets are not meant to be set in stone either. So if you don't succeed at first, keep trying.

All crafting supplies were found in my stash...I learned a few things, too.

Next time, I won't cover the binding of the book. I like to fold the cover back and with the binding covered, I'm not even going to attempt to fold the cover back. For my first altered composition book cover, I'm pleased. I like my budget...I like telling my money where to go...I don't like it slipping off somewhere. It does not have to be complicated...just make a list of what's coming in and what you have to pay out and viola, you have a budget. Good luck on your budgeting journey!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Grid Lines for SU! Clear Blocks

2011-07-09T06:00:00.007-04:00

Yippee! My SU! order arrived tonight...included was the new grid line templates to add to the clear blocks.

My initial thought was how heck do I get these on the block STRAIGHT?! Oh boy.

Then it hit me...SU! grid line paper! Line the block up in the corner...

Peel off the...whatcha call it...well...cling vinyl. Line up one line on the vinyl with a line you can see through the block. You gotta stand up...and hover over the block. Then just lay the vinyl over the block...it smoothes right out. Use the same technique you use to stamp clear stamps using clear blocks. The cling vinyl grid line template doesn't have to be perfectly in the center of the block; but it should be straight in relation to the edge of the block. I had some overlap in the larger clear block, but the cling vinyl clings really well and it smoothes right over. I cleaned the side of the block I was adding the vinyl to and I will use the other side for stamps.

I only did two blocks - I use these two most at the moment. The others, I will add if I must have a need for grid lines on a different sized block. Not a big deal because I thought it was really simple & quick to add the grid line templates. They remove cleanly and go right back on the sheet (for storage). They come in a zip top bag with a piece of sturdy cardboard. I'm impressed. I like them because I can remove them if I don't need them; put them back on quickly if I do.

Well, that was just one thing...I have some other things in the order...things for my son's baby book and for those...ahem...onesies.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Cow Piles

2011-07-08T08:05:00.000-04:00

I call 'em cow pies...but uh...same thing. This is a different sort of cow pile. Ain't they CUTE?

a pile of COW PILES! LOL.

This was a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive - FlyLady term) story in embossing. sheesh. Not just ANY embossing powder...BLACK embossing powder. I know embossing powder don't get old. Better location lighting wise would help...but anyhoo...stamped TWELVE...cow piles...stamp two in black craft, dump on black powder, stamp two more...and then I heated them with the heat gun. First off...lighting in here is not the best to see the embossing powder gloss "spread" as it heats up...and I ain't doing it over the powder pal tray sitting on my desk, 'k. No way. Six of 'em didn't heat up properly & I learned the gritty way. Ick.

I fussy cut the remaining SIX and almost cut the tail off one...MOOOOOO! eek. Oh! That brings back a memory. And no, I didn't cut off a real cow tail.

Several years back, we had a little stear...bought him from Dad...we bottle fed him. Somehow, he managed to lose his tail. Oh boy. We didn't find the tail...and worried about flies and pink eye as he got older because they use their tails to flick the flies off. The worry was unfounded as he learned to adapt. We named him...Bobby Tail. LOL. OK. Back to the paper cow tail...I sewed it back on...I mean taped it on the back & continued trimming. She's gonna be glued down, so she'll be O.K.

Ain't they cute?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Mr. & Mrs.

2011-07-07T06:30:00.001-04:00

I believe this is the first wedding card I've ever made. LOL.

My first wedding card.

It was inspired by the CAS July 4 Holiday challenges on SCS - this one was TEA. So I decided to do some tea staining...the SU! way. Although, I do have some coffee stained workpapers at work...hmmmm...

This was steppy...and yep...had a craft-splosion. Bigger than yesterday's...and nope...didn't take a picture.

I break out the Bella Toile and the SU! markers. Color the stamp...tap on versarmak...and STAMP!

Supplies.

Pretty.

Grab the powder pal tray...dump on clear EP...hit it - the card (wink) - with the heat gun...and viola!

After embossing, before tea staining.

Not sure this is my style...but I'll carry on. Out comes the SU! Distressing Essentials....and I found the cube of Tea Stain. tee hee.

After tea staining.

WOW. I was approaching shock territory. I had to take a break. I went to fix some supper. Ham & cheese calzones, with a rabbit salad...I'm tired of salad...I'm growing long front teeth or somethin'. :-p

After supper, I finish up my card.

Love the elegant popped up sentiment.

Sentiment inside.

I love the simplicity of the sentiment and the look of the inside after the business of the outside.

This card is going to work today...it's for a co-worker that got married over the holiday weekend. SURPRISE! Indeed.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Havin' a bad day?

2011-07-06T06:55:00.001-04:00

Nope...so far...no. I'm still playing around with the CAS - Clean And Simple - July 4 holiday challenges over on SCS. They continue on until July 8th. This particular challenge was to make a monochromatic card - there were three choices - I chose the white and two or more shades of blue.

This is a Rubbernecker stamp; I colored the sentiment with four different shades of SU! blue markers. Huffed on it and stamped!

Here is the original inside:

Hmmmm...sure it cute. And mollymoo colored, too!

So pretty & colorful!

But there's something about floating washing machines...

Floating washing machine?

So...I decided to wallpaper & put in a new floor. :-D Apparently the hard way. But, at the monent, I was so proud of myself.

Then it dawned on me! Well, DUH! Melissa. I put in the washing machine; then decided to wallpaper & floor around it! Sheesh. I won't be able to moo've my washing machine...I'll have this "hole" where the machine was! LOL. Wait, this is a card.

But, there IS an easier way...plan...put your DSP in...stamp your image on another piece of CS and then cut it out. But I didn't plan. How do I know that? Well, for one...put in the washing machine then wallpapered & floored around it. Secondly, look at the mess. OMGoodness!

Mess to the right.

Mess to the left.

eeeeek! I think it was worth it, tho. What do you think?

All wallpapered & floored.

Aren't these colors just so rich & pretty.

Sometimes the best things come on the fly! So, make a mess. Just clean it up when you get done!

I think I'm giving this to my boss...she's had a few days like this. She can even name the mouse...as long as it's not Melissa.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Birthday Wishes, CAS Style

2011-07-05T07:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday in the SCS Challenge Forum, the CAS gals had a whole day of challenges! Whoo hoo! CAS is Clean And Simple. It also means Quick And Easy. LOL.

Check this out:

The design was inspired by the Alsaka State Flag.

The challenge was to be inspired by flags...flags of any country or any state in the USA. The Alaska flag has has the big dipper and the North Star in yellow on a navy background. It's so striking and uncomplicated. Back to my card, the front has a whimsical feel...the inside:

Inside the card.

...there's a newspaper / information feel. What do you think of the combination?

I hope to share some more CAS cards in the next few days. I've had lots of fun experimenting. You can always pop into my SCS gallery. But just for you, I'll have extras & specials...more pictures & descriptions!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Scrap Pile

2011-07-03T09:54:00.004-04:00

Remember the scrap pile from my last post:

SU! punched pieces...soon to be embellishments for my SMASH book!

Die Cut pieces from PTI's It's A Jungle Out There die.

I punched the TAR out of the scraps. LOL. NOW...big thing here...is use them! ;-) For time being...I have stashed the SU! punched shapes here:

Punched shapes in small tin.

I think I had purchased these tins from the SU! Clearance Rack a while back. I just simply shopped in my craft closet...ahem...hall closet for a storage solution. It's portable...thin...space saving...and I can leave it right there and it won't be in the way...but I know I have some neato embellishments...ok...they are still plain right now...but not for long...neato embellishments right at hand for my smash book. YES!

I have:

Arrows.

Large & small stars.

Modern labels.

Photo corners.

Small hearts.

All tucked away in here.

All tucked away.

I will be sharing the Decorative Labels all dolled up...and y'all thought I was gonna leave 'em all white?!? LOL. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Onsie Die Card Bases

2011-07-02T06:00:00.020-04:00

It's been a couple of days...of no crafting time. Wednesday, I shopped at Sam's after work; came home, packed all that in, put all that away, fixed supper, eat and was ready to bed. Thursday, I shopped at Wal-mart after work, price matched oodles of stuff; came home, had the Dale pack all that in (hee hee), put all that away, fixed supper, eat and then was ready for bed. Friday, I'm off! YAY. And I woke up at 1 AM with my sinuses dripping clear fluid. Ick. That set the stage for a low key Friday at home. Forget the WHB, I'm stamping. All day long...and had a nap, too.

Remember the day I went nuts with the onsie die? Those are going to be card fronts. One of the projects I worked on Friday was cutting card bases for those onsies die cut card fronts.

Pile of onsie die card bases

Close-up of a single card base

I cut up 12 x 12 Whisper White cardstock. Not really a biggie for me, as I rarely scrap a page with a white base. Notice on the die, there'a a row of dots?

Fold line on the PTI Onsie Die

Here's what it looks like before it goes in the Big Shot. Notice the measurements - cut my 12 x 12 to 12 x 5.5. I saved the 1 inch strip - I have a project for that 1 inch strip. I'm sure these are not the most CS efficient measurements; however, these are what I used. One onsie will have a Pear Pizzaz base.

Onsie card base measurements

Here's my pile of scraps; I have already used these up. I'll share those projects in the next post.

Pile of scraps from die cutting onsie card bases.

So, now I have the unembellished card fronts cut and card bases cut. Next up is embellishing the card fronts.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Going nuts with a onesie die

2011-06-29T06:00:00.008-04:00

Yes...I went nuts with my Big Shot and my new PTI Onesie die! I love the PTI dies...so thin...and sharp! And, no...didn't cut my finger. :-D The Onesie die fits perfectly on the 6 x 6 paper packs from SU! I have several...got them out and picked out prints I thought would look good made into a onesie.

After die cutting, I used a sticky note and wrote on the coordinating colors...I used the Welcome Neighbor DSP pack from the 2010 Sale-a-bration, the Patterns Pack III and the In-Color Patterns Pack (Hostess). Here's a close up of each set.

Patterns Pack III

Welcome Neighbor Designer Paper Pack

In-Color Pattern Pack (Hostess)

I am looking forward to cutting the card bases tomorrow night! Yippee!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Grand Soiree

2011-06-28T06:00:00.010-04:00

I love the chandlier image in Stampin' Up!'s Grand Soriee. I had already unmounted this set a while back; I had not stamped the cover for the case. I wasn't feeling to good today, so I decided to do some low key stamping. I stamped the cover and created a page in my SMASHing idea book.

There's plenty of room to jot down ideas.

I just had to add some sparkle to it!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

PTI Order

2011-06-27T06:00:00.022-04:00

I'm an SU! gal. I spent quite a bit of time debating my purchase...but I need sentiments for inside my cards AND I need to get cracking on baby stuff. Since my niece is gonna have a boy in August and we're all going baby, I figured this would be a good time to do my son's baby book, too. LOL

Uh...no...the cat didn't arrive from PTI. I was trying to photograph my order and... I gotta give my cat some attention.

Three stamp sets...

...two dies and two ink spots. These are the first dies I've had from PTI. Interesting. Very compact, thin, space saving and probably, easy to loose. eek. I hope not...easy to loose, that is.

PTI sets come with a jewel case to store the sets. I tried to use them...but one set was simply too big and I could not see what I had...too confusing to read a clear sticker and have clear stamps. eek.

So...I used a SU! stamp case. On these two, I used the PTI labels. I put the labels on brown copy paper cut to insert size. I used brown paper, so I can immediately pick out SU! and PTI sets when I open my stamp drawer.

On the third one, there were two labels. I decided to stamp the sentiments and not use the stickers.

Here's the inside:

Those particular three images didn't stamp fully because of the bump on the back, the CS label I cut from the belly band that was on the original packaging. So I stamped those on white CS, trimmed them and then run them through Xyron.

TIP: I traced around each image with the paper piercer. Why? Sometimes I get more sticky than I want...glue strigs and stragglers on the edges of the images that I don't want. I discovered if I traced the image with a sharp instrument, there are no exposed sticky stuff.

I'm loving this...the sentiments are in the same order as they are stamped on the cover. I can actually read the sentiment stamps through the cover, especially since they have been inked up.

Here's the SMASHing idea book page for this stamp set:

I'm glad I stamped the sentiments...cuz I have a better idea of what I have.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a moo'valous day.

SMASH Book Ideas

2011-06-26T08:27:00.000-04:00

Today, I'm sharing some ideas for I plan to utilize in my counterfeit SMASH Book.

Story Jar - I have some clear paint cans...but...ya know...I can also print these on cardstock and use them in my SMASH journal.
Journal Pockets - I love these pockets. What an awesome way mix & match DSP. PLUS a neat journaling pocket.
Mix & Match DSP - What you need to know to get started on mixing & matching DSP from DIFFERENT companies. I've done this with great success, I think. Check it out HERE.

Well, that's enough to keep me busy for a couple of days!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Found Organization

2011-06-25T06:00:00.018-04:00

Lots of thoughts combined to create this idea. As a teen, I was active in 4-H and won many awards. Among those awards were four silver trays / bowls. They have been in storage for years.

If I'm going to keep something, I want to use it and enjoy it. I had no ideas on what to do with them other than look at them & dust them? No thank you. ;-) So in the bin they stayed.

Then one day, I was on Mish Mash, Michelle Wooderson's blog. She had found some small vintage silver bowls. While she's working on projects, she uses these to hold her buttons and such. I didn't think much of it...until later I remembered the silver trays I had...

It's nice to have them out & cleaned.

Here's what I'm doing with one of them:

I was using this:

Cute box...dust free...but outta sight, outta mind.

So...I put the pretty box up on the ribbon rack with another of my trays. I'll be using that tray for the parts of my mass produced cards. Easy to put away & pretty to look at.

What special items have you used as "found organization"?

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day.

Stamp Inventory...SMASH Book Style

2011-06-24T06:00:00.008-04:00

I've struggled with how to inventory my stamp sets. I hadn't come up with anything useful in the several years I've been stamping. I tried this:

I stamped images in black on white cardstock, put it in a sheet protector & stuck it in a binder. That's where it stayed. Nope...never really used it...never got the project completed. Not gonna work.

I tried half sheets of cardstock to be filed in a box...ditto.

Until the day before yesterday. That's when the seed was planted. A fellow FLYBaby mentioned a "SMASHing" idea...cutting up old SU! catalogs to inventory her large collection of stamps - SMASH Book style. I think she's onto something. I had an extra current year catalog...I cut it up! It was hard...but it was an extra. ;-) What do I put it in?

Aha! I run to the hall closet and pull out this:

How do I get them in...masking tape...I taped in THREE. Then I grabbed the Mono Multi and glued 'em all in! For some, I cut out the projects shown in the catalog if it was something I wanted to case.

Today, I took it with me and when an idea for a page or use for a current stamp set hit me...I wrote it down.

I do this for all the current stamp sets...not perfect...but it gets my inventory started. What about those retired stamp sets? Or those that I have stamped CS sheets for? THIS:

TRIM ' EM !

COLOR ' EM!

GLUE ' EM!

I think I'm gonna like this one!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

SMASH Book Quotes

2011-06-23T06:00:00.004-04:00

One thing about SMASH books...anything goes. Any subject, any type of everyday material.

Every once in a while, I come across an inspirational gem. And really, don't have anywhere to put it so I can be inspired by it AGAIN...ya know.

I received this quote in my CPA newsletter email yesterday morning:

So, I whipped out my "handy dandy notebook"...Blues Clues, anyone?

...and wrote it down.

Got home...ripped it out...rummaged for some stickers. Found some stickers in an SU! Simply Scrappin' Kit...and pasted 'er in!

It don't get easier that that! Ahem...pardon my grammar.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo'valous day!

Modified SMASH Book

2011-06-22T06:00:00.039-04:00

My SMASH book got fat. Yes, it would still close, but eventually, the cover would've warped. So I...gasp...took off the O-wires and used some hinged, snap close rings. Now I can add & remove pages. I know...but I love it! I even NAMED my book and created a cover! Lookie:

Bits & Pieces - SMASH book cover

Here's a closer look at the modified binding:

Modified SMASH book binding - replaced O-wires with hinged rings.

One of the things I will use my journal for is for reference while scrapbooking. I'm currently scanning my old negatives and making sure I have prints for all the negatives I have. I am shredding the negatives after they have scanned successfully. I am putting all the pictures in order best I can by Spring 19XX, Summer 19XX, Fall 19XX and Christmas 19XX. Most, I can easily tell which is which. But for some, time blends. I ask, Did I do this in 1992 or 1993? Was this before I did this? Or after? Hmmm...

And, if I don't write it down, I gotta do all that thinking AGAIN! next time I find another picture I have a hard remembering WHEN.

Last year, I was decluttering my old calendars / date books. I took a college ruled notebook and just wrote down the month name & year and jotted down any specific dates / information that was interesting / important. And yep...shredded those after I got done. I did run across a couple of date books that would almost be journals in themselves; those I did not shred, nor have I recapped (for the moment.)

I took these handwritten pages and put them in my SMASH book. But first...gotta have some pretty paper to attach 'em to and don't want to HIDE all that pretty designer paper I've already put in the book!

New SMASH book pages.

Even the cat approves. "Good job, Mom!"

SMASH book page.

All products, with the exception of the original sketch book, are from my stash. I'm only out $11.00. And I have something I really love to use.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a moo'valous day!

Shabby Chic Cards (Part 1 - Thank You)

2011-06-21T06:00:00.019-04:00

Remember all this - the die cut doilies, butterflies and strips 'n' scraps of beuatiful SU! designer paper - I showed ya a few days ago?

Pick one from each pile, put 'em together; repeat THREE times. I got these:

Ain't dey purty?

Thank You #1

Thank You #1 (Inside & Envelope)

Thank You #2

Thank You #2 (Inside & Envelope)

Thank You #3

Thank You #3 (Inside & Envelope)

This time, I did the insides and the coordinating envelopes. I did not have any thank you sentiments to stamp inside; however, I did find a list of thank you sentiments on SCS that I will hand write inside the card depending on who or what the card is for. So while the cards were mass produced, they will still have a unique personal touch especially for the recipient.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a moo'valous day!

SUPPLIES (all supplies Stampin' Up! unless indicated otherwise)

Stamps: Wonderful Words, Bliss

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder

Paper: PTI White, Flirtatious DSP

Accessories: Baker's Twine - White; Button Boutique Sherbet; paper piercer & mat, paper snips, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies (die), Janome' sew mini & white thread, mono multi, Tasteful Trims (die), corner rounder.

SMASH Book Pages

2011-06-20T06:31:00.002-04:00

SMASH books are a great place to keep up with your lists. Yep...they sure are. My first three pages are guess what? LISTS! :-D

This list will help me when I actually get to scrap the activities my son has participated in and when. ;-) I already had this list in two places...in my "to scrap" stuff, in a sheet protector and another somewhere else. Sheesh. Now, it's in ONE place, where I can just flip to the page & scrap. And it looks interesting...creative...it's not a reminder of what I haven't had time to do.

We found this list in our local paper...and we promptly marked the movies we wanted to see this summer. I had the list tacked on the bulletin board, where I forgot it was there. I just put it there a month ago. Now, I know it is there...I will actually LOOK at the list.

I added a tab to the page. It's part of our summer 2011 plans. The paper I've had for a long time, just have not used it until now. One thing I really like about these SMASH book pages is I can cut into designer paper I like and then still admire the paper. Yes, I will put stuff on it, but I will get to look at the paper for a while before I put something on it.

I spent most of the weekend going through my designer paper, pulling out papers. I cut them & taped them on the pages of the sketch journal. 60 pages in all. LOL 60 pages of pretty DSP. Did I just tell on myself?

Look at this:

Have you EVER done this before?

The solution:

Only because I sticky stripped on the tab then stapled the tab...the staple was sticky stripped in. Yeah...could've tore out the page...but nah...easier to just tape the two pages together. Makes the page stronger, too. ;-)

I pulled out random supplies to create the title for the next list...ahem page...I had planned.

On this page, I listed the things we wanna do this summer. (Camp WannaFLY is a FLYLady "thing"; no, we don't wanna go flying, but the son did mention skydiving. No, I didn't put that one on the list.)

Please note:

Stickers kept for use "someday" do not last forever. ;-)

Since the list was under construction...I wanted to use a bulldozer...both ripped as I tried to remove them from the backing. Hmmmm...repeat after me...stickers do not last forever. Pull 'em out & use 'em. (<---I'm working on this.)

I'm happy with this project. For some reason, it's a relief. It's a realization of many sorts for me. And, I think, most importantly, this project is a JOURNEY, not a DESTINATION. Much like life. I'm going to enjoy the journey...I know I will use these lists to help me in my life journey...whether we be doing our summer activities or I be scrapping our past activities.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a moo'valous day!

Counterfeit SMASH Book

2011-06-18T06:00:00.010-04:00

The latest craze - SMASH Books from EK Success - is a throwback to the old days of scrapbooking. Remember when scrapbooking was taping & gluing memorabilia in a scrapbook; photo albums were for photos? That's the SMASH craze. SMASH items are sold out online & I have yet to see them in the local big box craft store. Hmmmm....my senior year of high school, I made a SMASH album. The scrapbooker in me...cringed...the smashbooker in me...delighted!

My counterfeit SMASH notebook is a 9 x 12" sketch book. And in my favorite color!

Each week during summer break, we try to do something special. We went to the movies. I always intend to scrap my ticket stubs...but that don't happen...sometimes I wind up throwing them away & even forgetting about it.

Now, I did fix this page about a week after the fact...and I fully intent to put pictures of Johnny Depp on the page. ;-)

Lookie:

I got out stuff I haven't used EVER! Like Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Snowflake, like Changito Pirates...I had made manila tags a few weeks ago...got those out...wow! I cut into the new Nautical Expedition DSP from the SU! Summer Mini...I love that paper. I stamped the DSP with the compass face image from Changito Pirates in Black Staz-on in a random pattern.

Remember, blank spots are for photos of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack. :-D

I sprayed this tag with Glimmer Mist and then crumpled it. Dried with the heat gun. Just look at that shimmer! The tag was cut out of some old manila folders from work...one day, I just cut some tags and shaped them. I have a bag of 'em.

I just love the title, created with my Dymo label maker...now if that's not a blast from the past...I don't know what is. Dymo label makers were the label makers of the 80's, back when scrapbooking was smashbooking.

I love using what I have! The only moo'la I'm out is the price of the sketch book & I used a 50% off coupon on that! I think this is going to give me a chance to try new techniques & design ideas, as well as use up my stash. Many times I like a product, purchase it and then find I really have no pictures to scrap with it or have an item I feel it's not something that needs a full page scrapped.

So, whadayathink? :-D

Butterfly Shabby Chic

2011-06-15T06:00:00.002-04:00

I decided to try a new style. Shabby chic. Me, the neat nic...shabby chic. But, after it's all said & done...you can see the cripsness...I think I like the freedom.

This project consists of 11 cards...mass produced...Michelle Wooderson style. ;-)

I cut & scored 10 card bases...added the 11th later...using PTI White.

I wanted to use DSP I purchased on SU! pre-order, specifically, the Flirtatious Specialty DP from Stampin' Up! to be available in the new IB&C. The colors are Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink and Wisteria Wonder. I think there's some Daffodil Delight in as well. There are two laser cut sheets of doilies. I cut these apart to create 16 individual doilies. I was go glad to have my new sharp SU! Paper Snips for this job!

It took a while; but, it sure is pretty. :-D I took a much needed break after this. ;-)

I decided to do something easy, cut the main DP panels. These are 4 x 4 squares, with rounded corners.

I have discovered that I love making my own embellishments! I die cut butterflies, layered them and machine stitched; then added buttons.

Have you sewed on your cards or scrapbook pages? This is the first time I have ever sewed on paper. I LOVE IT! OMGoodness! I love it! I think because I have gotten my craft room arranged & decluttered where I can just grab the machine & go! I have a Janome Sew Mini I use to sew on paper.

I decorated the butterflies with buttons sewed on with the new SU! Baker's Twine. OMGosh! I love the baker's twine. It's wonderful! I wish I had left the threads long at the top of all the butterflies, but I did on the larger ones & you can see that I stitched it. On the smaller ones...ahem...the button covers the stitching. LOL Oh well...you can still see if it you look closely and I sure had fun stitching! The buttons are from Stampin' Up! Designer Buttons Sherbet.

Here's another one:

Next, I STAMPED! Yes, I stamped. I stamped (have I said that already?) I stamped a sentiment on a strip of Flirtatious DP and then embellished the strip with...ahem..."scraps" I die cut from the whole sheets of Flirtations DP. I'm positive y'all have double fainted already.

Yes, I made "scraps". LOL Die cut with the wonderful Tasteful Trims Bigz XL Die. I chose two styles from the die - the large ric rac and the scallop border. Then I cut the die cut pieces up into little pieces. :-)

I sewed the "scraps" to the sentiment strip! Like so:

All the ingredients:

Tomorrow, the fun begins. I put all this together & make cards!

Stampin Up! Order - April 2011

2011-05-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

I'm back. And another TAX SEASON bites the dust...

Actually, it but the dust on April 17...but whew...it takes a while to get ya groove back. I've been crafting, but just have not posted yet. And I have oodles to post.

Mr. Brown stopped by last night and this is wha the brought me.

I found that after I had unpacked the box. Do you think she likes that brown packing paper?

I like that brown packing paper, too! And I have a project to share using brown packing paper...I'm so excited about it! (looking at title of blog post...oh...OK...SU! order...right...let's see...)

This is what I unpacked out of the box.

Cardstock...replenishing my cardstock...I need to share my cardstock organization method! I was able to get that task completed after tax season. Pictures coming soon! But for now...feast your eyes on the "fan"-fare paper collection.

I splurged on a stamp set. Bring on the Cake was a splurge from the Occassions Mini that ended April 30. Splurge, indeed, as the set is contained in TWO clear stamp cases. I needed a birthday sentiment set. And the good news, too, is that this set carried over to the BIG catalog that's coming out in July 2011.

For my hostess set, I chose Birthday Bakery for yet more birthday images & sentiments.

I needed a new adhesive remover...my old one...doesn't have any cornerrs! Oops...told on myself! LOL The adhesive remover I currently have, I purchased in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum at SplitCoastStampers when I first started stamping. And while I don't use Tombow Mono Multi ALL the time, I do like it and it made a nice filler. The thing about Tombow...a little dab will do ya and it's repositionable up to a point. Love that!

Then I needed glue dots...I ran out! OH BOY! I ran out in the midst of a project that I need to share! Gotta finish it first...I needed to fill out out my marker & stamp pads. A Sahara Sand stamp pad, a Basic Gray and a Sahara Sand Stampin Write marker complete my collection.

Add one more 8 1/2 x 11 paper holder and a free 2010-2011 SU! catty...that's all folks!

Now, to go put my new purchases in their homes. What crafting supplies / items have you purchased lately?

Have a moo'valous day!

Stampin Up! Order - March 2011

2011-03-07T06:00:00.010-05:00

This arrived at my house last Wednesday! Since it's tax season and I'm working 60 hour weeks (at the moment), I haven't had any time to play.

Sale-a-bration is going on and this time I picked two of the "Notes" chalkboard Decor Elements and the Bliss stamp set. The stamp set arrived the next day & I forgot to put it in for the photo.

Cardstock...all new colors. First full packages of Cherry Cobbler and the new In-Colors. I chose another In Color Patterns Pack for my Hostess item.

Blades for my paper trimmer...new paper snips - I needed those...my current snips seem to be getting less snippy. :-) Distressing kit...more crystal effects...and the Lattice embossing folder.

A restock and new to me stuff - Confetti Cream CS restock Very Vanilla envelopes restock. Then...I got some Vellum Paper and some square white envelopes.

Two sets of clear stamp cases...I am in the midst of an organizing project...and I will post that soon!

Three Decor Elements items - two Notes chalkboards from SAB catalog and the Sun - Sat chalkboard elements from the Occasions Mini. I will be posting a project using these soon as well.

Hope you enjoyed a peek at my order. Have a moo'valous day!

Sew Fashionable

2011-03-01T06:00:00.011-05:00

I think it looks like something from a posh dressing room.

Lots of things going on here! It all started with...ahem...I have NO idea! I'll start where I started. With this tutorial from Michelle Zindorf! The inks I sponged were Crumb Cake for the wall & River Rock for the floor. Then I stamped the sewing dummy from Sew Suite in Basic Black. Then there was the VSN Mash Up challenge..in reference to the show Glee (which I do not watch, I'm a NCIS, Criminal Minds, Mentalist type of gal!)...which is to make your own mash up by using two (or more) techniques on your card or project!

I decided to paper piece. A new one for me! I already sponged and masked! Then I found a sketch....SCS SC220...and WAIT...there's the Flybaby challenge to use at least five colors on your card!

I'm pleased with the card. Remember the red buttons and the crystal effects mess...yep...that's the button! I'm loving the Patterns Pack in the In Colors - this is a hostess item from the big catalog. I love the Concord Crush! It looks awesome with the Pretties Kit pearls and the Raven Lace. I'll be mailing this one in a padded envelope!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Sew Suite

Paper: SU! In Color 6 x 6 Pattern Pack (Hostess), Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Black, River Rock, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Pop dots, Pretties Kit, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Raven Black Lace, Black Satin Ribbon, Faux Button, Sponges, Post It Notes, Basic Gray Marker

Techniques: Paper Piecing, Masking, Sponging, Faux Button

Sew Suite Pattern Pieces

2011-02-28T06:00:00.010-05:00

Inspired by this card by Melissa...I dug into the Sew Suite Collection and came up with this:

I really did like the cut out pattern pieces on this card by Allison Stamps! Will I do it again...I dunno. I stamped the DSP with the patterns & then stamped the patterns on solid, cut out the solid and attached with pop dots. The girl is a rub-on on Whisper White, colored with SU! markers & fussy cut! Layout is a sketch challenge from SCS - SC211. Color selection is based on a Ways to Use it Challenge from SCS - WT311, using gray as a neutral.

I do like the layout and the colors! Nothing like Daffodil Delight to perk up Basic Gray. I do love the pompom trim! I did "finish" the inside of the card! I don't have many sentiment stamps...so I will just write a note to a friend inside this one!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES

Stamps - SU! Pattern Pieces, SU! Sew Suite

Paper - SU! Basic Gray, SU! Sweet Stitches DSP, SU! Whisper White, SU! Daffodil Delight

Ink - SU! Basic Gray

Accessories - SU! Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim, Sticky Strip, SU! Sweet Stitches Rub Ons, Basic Grey Rub On Tool, Pop Dots, SU! Photo Corners Punch, SU! Glue Dots, SU! Markers (Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Melon Manbo, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel & Close to Cocoa)

Repurposing for the Craft Room #1

2011-02-25T07:31:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in this post, I needed a craft mat. I wondered if a silicon baking mat would work. I already had two I was not using. The biggest decision was...use the big one or use the small one! LOL I took the small one.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Seriously, after the Crytsal Effects has dried, it peels right off! And Crystal Effects does not just "peel" off anything. ;-) It peeled off better than the darn cookies! I reckon that's why I only used these mats for baking a few times. By the way, I don't think the cookies were supposed to "peel" off...they were supposed to "slide" off. Back to the Crystal Effects...flex the mat and the dried Crystal Effects will release from the surface. Then a good washing in warm sudsy water. I will not be using this in the kitchen again...I love it for the craft room!

But before I could even begin to USE the soon to be craft mat...I had to moo've THIS!

She was a really going at the face cleaning thing, too! What a kitty kat!

What have you repurposed for use your craft room lately?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a moo'valous day!

Project from 2008

2011-02-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

My goodness...look what I found in blog post "drafts"! This is a post I set up way back in June of 2008. WOW! I"m a bit speechless. (poking eyeballs back in & closing mouth)

I participated in a "spending challenge" in the SCS Flybaby Forums. Basically, the challenge was to go one month (May) without spending for any stamping related items. Fourteen participated in the challenge - each individual set goals. Mine was NO craft supply spending - that means no stamps, no embellishments, no ribbon, no designer paper. I did spend on storage, as I was organizing my craft supplies. Some individuals were very motivated in May to craft, craft, craft. Not me. :-( I guess I was too overwhelmed by the "mess". Here come June...and WOW. I still haven't spend anything on crafting supplies. (insert shocked eyeballs here!). I, as did some others, volunteered to send something to the May spending challenge participants. In keeping with the spirit of Flylady, I wanted to create something useful without spending any additional money. Take a look. It was all in a day's work. Really - it took eight hours to create all that stuff!

One final picture of the whole schingding!

Flash forward to February 2011...I'm no longer overwhelmed by the "mess", cuz there isn't one. And...NOPE...I didn't spend the last two years organizing my crafting supplies. LOL I don't think I did, but they are organized and I can find everything. Maybe I just started shopping smarter. Maybe it's a little of both. YES, I do have craft 'plosions. But I always clean up after a project. Everything has a place and after I use it, make note of it, I put it back where it belongs. Otherwise, I'd never find it again...even if it flew up and hit me in the face! LOL. I hope you enjoyed looking at the projects as much as I did! Wow...what a nice trip down the crafting memory lane.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a moo-valous day!

I WON! I WON!

2011-02-23T09:01:00.000-05:00

This is the first time I've ever won blog candy. I was checking out this project by the lovely Lisa Foster...who...bless her heart...stamps for sanity! I met Lisa through cyberspace when we served together on a design team! Back to her project - she rocked the stamp set & punch man! I had to tell her that! And I was shocked to learn the next day that I had won some blog candy. WHOO HOO!

A few days later, a fat priority envelope arrives. Does she know how to stuff an envelope or what?

WOW! Look at all the goodies.

Imaginisce Stamps!

I fell in love with the cute Imaginisce images & papers a while back when these were the feature of a Stampin' FlyBaby Spring Craft Kit.

Paper flowers!

Not flat paper flowers...dimensional paper flowers. Lisa even included two...count em...two bundles of leaves to accompany them. OH! I feel a countefeit project coming on! Stay tuned!

SU! Goodies!

You cannot go wrong with sending mollymoo951 SU! goodies. Two packages of SU! cardstock - Very Vanilla and Whisper White. See that package of SU! Stampin Dimensionals? I go through oodles of these when I stamp & scrap! It was about time to replenish my WW & VV, too!

More cute stamps!

What a wonderful package! Lisa, thank you for sharing your goodies with me and your projects with all of us!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

Dressing Up Counterfeited Buttons

2011-02-22T06:00:00.030-05:00

A few days ago, I created faux buttons by counterfeiting. Check out this post.

One of my readers left a comment about using Crystal Effects on faux buttons. At the time, I had these little beauties drying.

And I wondered WHY I purchased Circle Circus! I was looking for stamp sets that had a circle motif. And rediscovered these stamps! That would be the larger Melon Manbo circles and the two left most matte buttons. I think I like the Tangerine Tango buttons and the large Melon Mambo buttons best - where the images go to the edge and beyond. If I'm going to choose a smaller image, I would probably leave them unfinished...I think the unfinished ones look like wooden buttons.

This is my favorite! So so pretty! Glossy and shiny! I love it! Working with Crystal Effects is messy! I dripped it on my work shirt...on my jeans...on my hands...good grief. I did get most of it on the buttons, tho! LOL This was my first time working with something like this. It was striking a balance between covering the top completely or getting it over the edge and the button stick to the paper yuckily. I wonder what type of surface to set these on...I used Reynolds Wrap...but I wonder if waxed paper would work...something that's "easy release". A rubber craft mat...I don't have. A silicone baking sheet I do have. Hmmmm....

You can see where I didn't get the Crystal Effects to the edge of the chipboard...depending on the project I use the buttons on...it'll be OK.

I really do like the Tangerine Tango buttons! The stamped image is from SU! Charming.

My DS made these! He wanted them left unfinished. I think it makes them look like wooden buttons. I even like the ink "overspill" on the buttons. It would look really good on a very distressed piece.

Overall, I'm very happy with the faux buttons. Definitely glad I counterfeited them! ;-) And I'm definitely embellishing more counterfeited buttons!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES (all SU! unless stated otherwise)
Creation of the buttons themselves - see THIS post.
Embellishment supplies
Stamps: Circle Circus, Charming
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Real Read, Chocolate Chip
Supplies & Accessories: Crystal Effects

Valentine Treat Bags

2011-02-21T06:25:00.001-05:00

I'm so glad I made these tags back in January. I used them to embellish treat bags I made for Valentine's Day!

My favorite part of this has to be the bow! And the tag. Here's a close up detailed picture of the bow!

The topper is die cut from SU! Cherry Cobbler using the Top Note die. These were originally going to be paper bag totes...so I had punched out handles with SU! Large Oval Punch. Then, after I cut a lunch bag down to size, I realized that the bags were too wide for the die cut. AFTER I had oval punched 16 top note die cuts. Oh boy!

I had some small flat cellophane bags from SU! I scored the top note die cuts and attached them to the bags with sticky strip. Then I punched another oval through all layers. Now my treat bags have a handle! After I filled the bags, I added another piece of sticky strip. Tied on a bow with the very lucious 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain from SU! I used a whole roll! Now I can buy more!

Here's the back.

I used some of the Raven Lace from SU! on the tag and attached all that with a black mini library clip (from SU!). I made 15 treat bags. Not all of them had the tags, as I only had 8 of the tags.

Here's my...ahem...helper.

These were a hit! DS received one. DH received one. DS gave away 6. I took 7 to give to co-workers. It didn't take long to make...only about...most of the day. LOL. It was fun and I think they turned out oh so gorgeous!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES: (all supplies Stampin' Up!)
Tags - information can be found HERE.
Treat Bag Toppers
Paper - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories & Tools - Big Shot, Top Note Die, Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain, Victoria Crochet Trim , Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon (1/8"), Vintage Trinkets, Library Clips, Basic Black Raven Lace Trim (1/2"), Small Cellophane Bags, Sticky Strip

Counterfeit Buttons

2011-02-18T06:00:00.005-05:00

That same release I mentioned here had me tempted with one more thing...a button die! Oh goodness...I can make buttons from chipboard...felt....basically anything. Yes, you can make buttons with DSP, cardstock and punches. I haven't been brave enough to try to punch a piece of chipboard. ;-)

I got to thinking....hmmmm...I have that circle die...it has four sizes of circles....

'The details at this point...one 4 x 4 chipboard square covered all four circles on my die. After die cutting, I ran one through my Xryon and made a sandwich. After I had doubled the thickness of the cut out, I used my sanding block to "blend" the edges, round the edges and distress the flat surfaces.

Using Tangerine Tango and the medallion from SU! Charming, I stamped the circles that were slightly smaller than the stamp. Then...

Center a hole from the mat stack over the center of the button and make a dot in the middle of each of the two adjoining holes.

Now the fun part...crop a dile time! Remember to keep the fingers out of the way. I noticed yesterday, I WAS keeping my fingers out of the way. A pinch from the crop a dile is quite painful.

The finished product! Now, I really don't need a button die!

Over the last two posts, I have shown how I talked myself out of a $54 plus shipping new release order. I already had the stuff...and it really didn't take longer to D.I.Y. as it would to use the ready made products. Plus, some of these steps...are fun....for me at least.

Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps - SU! Charming
Ink - SU! Tangerine Tango
Accessories / Tools: SU! Big Shot, Chipboard, Sizzix Circle Die, SU! Crop A Dile, SU! Mat Stack, SU! Sanding Block

Counterfeit Crafting is FUN!

2011-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

It all started because of a stamp release and the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog ...

A fellow flybaby has participated in a counterfeit kit challenge and posted about it on her blog. The next day, I fell in love with a button card die and a button stamp set, new releases from an online stamp company. I put the two together & this is what happened!

...created exclusively with SU! materials. I talked myself out of purchasing a button card die. The conversation went something like this: I don't need a DIE to cut out a rectangle - I'll use my paper cutter. A hang tag...hmmm...punch a hole. But the stamp set had button card designs...wait a minute...the Sew Suite stamp set has one...only one...but hey...maybe I only need one. I need that small pattern stamp set to make that cool insert...do I have small patterns...yep...in the Sweet Stitches DSP and the Designer Series Paper Patterns In Color (Hostess) collection. Oh boy! Cannot wait to get home to create! I arrive home and hide out in the office. Order in Pizza for the family. ;-) Did I shut the office door! Yep. A couple of hours later...eight button packets and not a cent more spent!

The thought that ran through my head as I was doing this...I don't like to sew buttons...ok...I procrastinate sewing buttons on clothing...I have a shirt I want to wear, but I've got to look for the replacement button and sew it on. I don't want to...gotta find the button, gotta thread the needle..ugh. Now, here I am sitting here sewing buttons on paper...oh good grief!

I did this project in batches - mass production mode. I made eight total. Two of each. Above, I used a paper piercer then sewed on the buttons with SU! Silver Cord. Back in the 80's and prior, buttons were attached to button cards with silver staples. Here's the back of the card.

It's also a throwback to those that had buttons attached with a stiff white cord...they were crisscrossed in the back. The button cards were also glossy. These in the project were cut from SU! Glossy White CS and stamped wtih Stazon Jet Black.

Here's the first one AND I made a mistake. No way I was gonna take those buttons off and redo it! This card should have had the Melon Mambo buttons, but hey...Chocolate works, too!

Daffodil Delight...Daffodil...like Daffy Duck.

Tangerine Tango...baby!

Nah...let's Melon Mambo!

Now this, Chocolate Chip, looks like a Valentine York Peppermint Patty.

I'm planning to use these as embellishments for cards or as tags. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the projects and are inspired to look at what you already have when you are tempted to purchase something new. Have moo-valous day!

Supplies list:

PAPER: SU! Glossy White, SU! In Color DSP Patterns Pack (Hostess), Sweet Stitches DSP

INK: Stazon Jet Black

STAMPS: Sew Suite

ACCESSORIES: Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons, SU! Silver Cord, Paper Cutter, Corner Rounder, Sticky Strip, hole punch (school supply), Paper Piercer, Piercing Mat

Suite Textiles

2011-02-02T06:21:00.000-05:00

I'm so in love with the Stampin' Up! Sew Suite collection. Take a look at the textiles & accessories.

Fabric, Buttons, Pom Pom Trim

Oh my! Check out the DETAIL in the fabric!

Yummy!

What am I going to do with all this? Sew, of course. ;-) Seriously, make a fabric cover for my binder!

Whatcha think? Gorgeous, yes?

Have a moo-valous day!

How suite it is...

2011-02-01T07:23:00.000-05:00

...to cut apart rubber stamps!

What's wrong with her? First she crumples up paper, now she's CUTTING UP STAMPS! LOL

I have discovered I use my SU! wheels more if I unmount them. Sure makes them easier to clean. This is the stitches wheel from the Sew Suite Collection in the new mini. I unmounted the wheel & cut apart the six stitch designs. And YES, I was nervous; but it worked out fine!

Instead of ONE jumbo wheel...I have SIX stamps. They fit nicely in the SU! clear stamp cases. I just need to load Lightening McQueen...ahem...my computer...with SU!'s MDS to access my clear insert cover file. I'm really happy with my six "stitch" stamps. Now...to STAMP something with them. I'd stamp the cat...

...ummm...maybe NOT! :-D

Have you unmounted any stamps or cut apart a stamp to make it suit your purposes better? If not, give it a try...it's liberating!

Have a moo-valous day!

Tag, tags and more tags

2011-01-29T19:22:00.000-05:00

Vintage...valentine...I love it! I wanted a simple quick project - tags fit the bill! I didn't want to go buy shipping tags, so I made my own with my Sizzix Tags die and SU!'s Very Vanilla cardstock. I even made my own "reinforcements".

I love the collage effect. This would be great on a smaller scale as a Simply Adorned locket insert! I made eight tags total, distressing three of them by wearing down the edges and...gasp...spraying with water and crumpling! Some red ink did bleed a little bit, but it really enhanced the distressed look of the tag.

I think these turned out great! I believe I am going to use these as tags for Valentine Day treat bags. If I do, I'll be sure to take pics of that project! I could even flip them over and journal on the back...using these for a scrapbook page. You'll probably see these pop up on a project soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, French Script
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Sizzix Tag Die, Big Shot!, brayer, 1/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, Tombow Mono Multi. For tags that were distressed - SU! cutter kit, Ranger mini spray bottle, water.

Scrap Card

2010-12-30T06:00:00.004-05:00

Do you need a great card idea to use up your long scraps? How about these?

Purty, aint' they? I wanted to make some Christmas cards. I had some Fruitcake strips & scraps. Basic Grey Fruitcake, that is. I got the idea from Andrea Walford, a Canadian SU! demonstrator. I made eleven cards in all! Whoo hoo! It took ALL freaking day! OMG! Who would've thought it would take all freaking day to make 11 cards? It was fun and I really really do like the result!

There were lots of combinations of paper patterns to choose from to mix and match. I think some of the cards look like a cottage roof!

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Christmas Greetings
Paper: SU! Soft Suede, Basic Grey Fruitcake
Ink: SU! Soft Suede Classic
Accessories: SU! Tasteful Trim XL Die, Big Shot, SU! 5/8" Old Olive Satin, SU! Sherbet Button Boutique, SU! Linen Thread, Mono Multi, Glue Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig

You've Got Mail!

2010-12-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

I needed something creative for Mom's gift cards. I have it! Off to search the alterables closet for...a Target mailbox! Remember those things...$1.00 a piece...in bubble gum pink, white and red?

Many crafters had issues with covering the box in patterened paper because of the permanent flag stuck to the box. Usually, I left the front part where the flag was uncovered. This time, and it's been a while since I've covered a mailbox, I had an idea.

Off to the punch storage drawer & out comes Stampin' Up!'s Word Window Punch.

I cut a 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper from My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection (Snowball Fun pattern) to 4" wide. I dry fit the 4 x 12 piece to the mailbox. I marked my spot and punched two times.

I applied sticky strip to all four sides. Check out where the seam is...barely visable.

I grabbed my SU! 1 1/4" striped grosgrain. I love this wide silky grosgrain ribbon. I tied it up with a nice bow. From the coordinating accessory sheet, I used a tag, which was attached with a safety pin from SU!'s Vintage Trinkets. I love the trinkets, too!

The lowly safety pin...elevated to embellishment status. The same accessory sheet has another cool embellishment for the gift card mail box...

This one, I ran through my Xyron.

I was impressed with how cute the project turned out. I do believe Mom liked the mail box and the contents.

SUPPLIES
Paper: My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection
Accessories: Coordinating Accessory Sheet, SU! Old Olive 1 1/4" Grosgrain, SU! Vintage Trinkets, Xyron, Sticky Strip, Word Window Punch

Good Luck Soup

2010-12-28T06:00:00.010-05:00

...black eyed pea soup...without the ham hock! {wink}

I found this recipe in the News Enterprise back in December 2000. We've had this every New Year's Eve and New Year's Day since. I will either dump it all in the crockpot or I will use my stockpot on the stove. I serve this with corn muffins. Leftovers can be put in the freezer or eat the next day. I think the leftovers are more flavorful than the original. Many times I use precooked crumbled bacon - the real stuff, not the imitation chips.

And, yep...I'm still chipping away at the Provo Craft Slab #10. I even have a drawer dedicated to the Provo Craft Slab Project. Complete with accessories & embellishments. It's very convenient to have it all in one place and it keeps me chipping along. I'm loving these retro colors & designs. I made this page several months ago. (HERE) I think I like it much better with the recipe and the titling.

Whatcha think? Are you going to be trying this recipe for New Years?

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Compliments to the Chef
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Provo Craft Super Slab #10
Ink: Old Olive Classic
Accessories: Old Olive brads, SU! Stampin Dimensionals, SU! New Label Punch, SU! Felt Flowers (Old Olive), SU! Buttons, SU! Linen Thread, Big Shot, Naturally Serif Die, Xyron

Frosty the Snowman

2010-12-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

...came to life one cold winter day. I love Frosty the Snowman! Stampin' Up! has this "retro" Santa / Frosty stamp set named "Jolly Old Saint Nick". Jolly Ole' Saint Nicholas...lean you ear this way...

Back to Frosty. This has to be my favorite Snowman image. Ain't he a cutie?

I've cased Michelle Zindorff (AKA the brayer Queen!) Here's her tutorial entitled Chilly Day #382. As soon as I saw her card, I knew I had to try this tutorial.

I did change a couple of things from her original card - the right side is a sentiment instead of a die cut. I also used the snowflake from Jolly Old Saint Nick in the sky as well as make large dots. Ahem...she said small random dots. BUT, I did get the image all covered in Versamarker, and all inside the lines, too! YAY! It takes practice. I made four of these cards. Reckon I had enuf practice with this one. {wink}

This is a fun card to send for Christmas thank-yous that should be arriving to recipients in January 2011. Thanks for stopping by! Have a moo-valous day!

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick, Snow Buddies, Wonderful Words
Paper: SU! Whisper White, SU! Baja Breeze
Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Mat Pack Mat, SU! Markers (Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Blush Blossom, Baja Breeze), Versamarker, Sponge, Stamp a ma jig, Brayer
Techniques: Emboss Resist, Brayer, Masking

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 5)

2010-12-21T07:07:00.001-05:00

Supplies:

- Stamps - Dasher
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Old Olive CS, Real Red CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Old Olive Craft
- Accessories - Clear EP, Heat Gun, circle & scallop circle punches (Marvy)

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 4)

2010-12-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today's treat uses only items from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit. No stamps, no ink.

Supplies

- Stamps - None
- Paper - Real Red CS, Old Olive CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - None
- Accessories - None

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 3)

2010-12-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

Supplies- Stamps - Christmas Greetings
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Old Olive CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Chocolate Chip Craft
- Accessories - SU! Stampin' Dimensionals