I am just soo proud!

I am just so proud of this big tag (or bookmark). It started out as a toddler project to keep my 3 year old son busy and occupied on this rainy day. See while my blog and Etsy shop is named after Bella Rose, my daughter...my son is the serious crafter! He loves the fabric store and is a fellow punch addict...he punched all the items you see on this tag. He even rounded the corners.

The tag is 2 3/4" X 5.5" and has a beautiful "Mommy, I love you" poem printed in Pink. I tore the edges to give the tag a whole nostalgic, distressed feel. The pink base is The Paper Company Girl Color Pink cardstock and is distressed with Pallette Burnt Umber ink around the edges.

The flower pot was stamped with the TAC Squiggle Flowers flower pot and Palette Burnt Umber Ink, while the stems were made with the TAC LE Version Long Stem Flowers stem (masked the flower and flower pot) and Palette Jardin Moss. The flowers were punched with the Creative Memories (CM) Friendship punch then distressed with the Pallette Burnt Umber ink. The little striped butterfly was punched from the DCWV Stack 3 with the new 4in1 punch from CM and popped up to add a little 3-D. The second larger butterfly is black cardstock and a random punch I got in set from Costco. The tag is finished off with green and pink fiber Paton Cha Cha Yarn Salsa and Jazz.

The Enclosure card (does not open) is 2 3/4" X 2 3/4" square with rounded edges and one single punched flower in stamped pot. It has a bright 3-D pink butterfly perched on the pot side. Happy Mother's Day from the TAC Trendy Greetings is hand stamped in brown script.

Then I decorated an A2 envelope with a butterfly stenciled in sparkly chalk on the corner...again my son got very into this as all he had to do was "color imbetween the lines" (ie. rub the chalk). It was a really cool way to use a brass embossing template! I just saw it done on Scrapbook Memories today. Ha, like I scrapbook...but they have some awesome ideas!

Fraternal Twin Friday

Emery Pincushion by Dottyral and my Black and White Thank You Clippy.

These pincushions were on ETSY's Top 100 Items list. They are filled with a mineral called "emery". Emery resembles fine metal shavings. It is used as an abrasive in industrial applications and its purpose is to sharpen your pins and needles.

My clippies is a 3-D punched flower (black and white) mounted on 1" thin chipboard circles and the back is stamped with "Thank You"...because I think you should look good from both ways!

It includes a mini card (~2.5 X 3.5") cased in a little clear cellophane envelope for the perfect presentation. The card says "thank you".

Clipp-i-mania

Apparently I have an addiction to 3-D items...although I did a little stamping on these. And I have finally matched Dani (stamping etc...) perhaps enough to sort of match her little cards to present the clippy. I cheated though and used pre-made Cello envelopes rather than making my own out of acetate (sorry).


The clippies are made out of Jumbo Paperclips (silver kind) and punched 1" circles of whatever scrap cereal box type stuff I have. I glue two light chipboard weight circles to each paperclip (front and back), using silicone adhesive. I clip with clothespins and let cure for 24 hours. I glued some aluminum foil (scraps from sharpening my punch)...onto a white cardstock circle. I then layered two flower punches the same size and a smaller center punch and used a brad to attach it to the shiny metal circle, then glued the whole thing onto the paperclip front. I used Yes glue...it is usually my adhesive of choice.

I made the card out of white cardstock to fit inside my little cello envelope. The front I punched out with my Creative Memories circle punch and the back I punched with the Stampin' Up Word Window punch...so I could clip the 'clippy' to the card.

The caption is from TAC Static Words and stamped in Palette Reflection Blue and L'Amour Red.

Fraternal Twin Friday...Late!!!

This week's (very late) promo includes a beautiful Patriotic Bracelet by crafterstudio and my new Patriotic Little Clippys.

I made these for the gymnastics teachers at my son's (and daughter's) gym. The "team" colors are Red, White and Blue. The teachers there are just wonderful...they really made a huge effort with my incredibly shy son. They were very positive and constantly encouraged him in his first "Big Boy" aka w/o Mommy class. He now looks forward to going there every week. I am so proud of him. I am also very proud of my little peanut that despite her small size, is raring to go each week...and is a pretty darn good gymnast. Her teacher is always, "don't worry she might not be able to do that...did she just do that?". So they are having quite the time with little Miss Bella.

Okay it has been a crazy week...I've been trying to do too many things. I can't wait to show you one of them...promos for an upcoming Sheep and Wool Festival I will be attending. More about that later I promise!

Clippy in a Card!

Gosh I'm bad. I sort of hinted at this several days ago...then completely forgot! Typical. Anyway, I like the idea of the Clippy, big and small...but well packaging it as a gift is sort of challenging. So I made a card for it to go into. Again I am channeling Dani over at Stamping, Etc...but was too lazy to figure out the dimension for the small one so just made a standard A2 card.

This card is simple, simple, simple. A piece of White cs, Giga Square Punch on the front and the Stampin' up Word Window punch on the back (this is what holds the Paperclip). The caption is from TAC Static Words and stamped in Palette Reflection Blue .

My First Clippy!

These seem to be all the rage over at SCS. I finally tracked down most of the ingredients to make them...boy are they fun! I swear die hard stampers would probably stamp their kids if they weren't moving.

So let's see...I used my Sizzix die cut Bookplates (because I have a very limited selection). Note there is a hole in the middle so I punched a paper circle slightly larger using my CM circle punch to adhere on the middle front and back. Most people use chipboard, but as usual I don't have that so I used cereal box cardboard. It worked perfectly!!! I think it was actually a better weight for the project. I used the DCWV Stack 3 paper and believe it or not construction paper from Costco. The teal in that stack is stunning! Just for fun, I CuttleBugged the middle circle with Divine Swirls of the Teal side. On the striped side I added a small flower punch of the same paper. I used a Jumbo paperclip...they measure about 3/4 "X 3.5".

This particular clip was definitely a challenge, adhesive wise. Of course I didn't find E6000...because duh I didn't look in my local craft store! But I did find silicone...suggested by a husband of a crafter ;-). It actually worked fine, however because there was only thin paper in the center the adhesive bled through...no problem I just affixed a circle on each side to cover! This would not occur if it had been chipboard in the center! And I found a really cheap alternative to E6000...especially if I had bought the caulk gun size! I explained something a little smaller might work a little better.

Anyway, I hope you like...oh yeah...the fibers are from Paton yarn Jazz and Salsa...I just selected the colors that matched. I also made a super quick card to present the clip as a gift! I got this idea (and this is a pale, pale imitation) from my friend Dani at Stamping etc...

Fraternal Twin Friday!!!

Springtime Bouquet Stained Glass Table Lamp

A beautiful handmade Stained Glass Fan Lamp made by lawatha from Colville in Washington State. How happy would your mother be if you got this for her!!!

Tags in all colors!

Well I just realized I have been so busy this week getting an order out the door I haven't had a chance to post any new creations!!!

I finished a slew of really beautiful tags...in many, many colors!

Later this weekend I will post my other new creation...clippies! They are really fun and fast.

These tags were made with the TAC Friendship Flowers LE set stamped masking the flower with either Palette Noir or Palette Burnt Umber. I then colored the leaves in with watercolor pencil (I didn't use water though) and paper pieced the flower part with Michaels Designer Cardstock II (Fuschia); Bazzil Blue Paper (blue flower); The Paper Company Red Primary, Yellow Brights; Coscto Paper Pack (teal); and finally the hot pink (which looks more like pale pink...sigh) is from AC Moore open cardstock.

I really had some fun with the fibers! I used Fun Fur, Paton Yarn mixes and a miscellaneous Hot Pink fiber that I picked up at Target one day! It came with a video on how to knit...ha, like that will ever happen!

Fraternal Twin Friday - 6 April 2007

Here it is my new feature to pair cards from my store with a matching item from Etsy. Suzannie has beautiful items and she is pretty darn good at solving puzzles.

I have also secured a Treasury...that I am running as an I Spy game! Check it out!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php?id=1175867475641U19787

That Pink Is So Hot
by suzannie

Hot Pink Flower Gift Tags

Set of 6

Or perhaps this wallet by fishpaw

Design from the Heart

I finally realized, that design for me must come from the heart. If I try to design something just to sell on Etsy...I just can't...the final product is blah...not even worth a PIF. However whenever I have someone in mind, the creation just happens, effortlessly. So I have finally gotten behind my creative mojo and whenever I design something, I made two or three. Afterall it takes about the same time...and then I have a product AND a story.

The following paper bracelet just came together...for the next door neighbor Lola. I just love Lola, when we moved in Lola (then around 6) leaned over the fence and told her whole life story...and her sisters, mom and dad!! Anytime I'm out weeding she makes a point of coming over to say hello. And now that she is a big girl riding her bike she visits us most days...as I'm out playing with the kids.

I knew it was really important to her and when I handed her a gift...a mere card and a small paper and plastic bracelet. She gave me a BIG hug and huge Thank You...because for her it really was the thought that counted! So Happy Birthday Lola...you are definitely a "10" in my book.

I have never created one of these paper bracelets so fast, typically I agonize over the design...and size. This one just came together. Sorry for the blurry picture I had to scan it quickly then take it over so I didn't MISS the BD.

The paper is from the Paper Company Stack 3 (like most of my stuff lately)...and then there are pearls and some glass beads. Unfortunately I went to look and see if they carry them anymore...they don't sigh.

The card isn't one of my best but it'll work. I wanted it to match the bracelet. I used the same Paper Company Stack 3 paper. I punched the Bazzil Pink square with the Pink Scallop Square punch from Marvy Uchida. The lime green brads are Memory Makers pastels.

The BD cake and present were the TAC Stamp of the Month. We'll probably see it in the next catalog. The Happy Birthday is part of the retired TAC All Occasion set.

Summer Fun Tags

I made this altered tin and mini-cards last summer for a contest and won 2nd place!!! I decided to make some tags to go with it. Tags seem to be all the rage on etsy...I'm not sure why though. I sold the Black/White with hot pink tags the very first day I listed them...an absolute first for me! So I guess there were as cute as I thought ;-)

Anyway, this set of tags was made using the TAC Frutti Fusion paper to paper piece the clunky shoe and cut the accent strip and the Paper Company Brights in Lime Green and Orange, with the Magenta and Blue used to mat the main image. The Clunck shoe stamp is from the TAC Girls Night Out Set (it has the most adorable Little Black Dress as well) and the "for you" is from the TAC All Occassion Set. (I use this set's caption more than any other set...they are perfect to fit just about anywhere and the font is one I just love, simple and straight forward so it goes with just about anything. The Mini Cards are basically the same as the Tags without the "for you".

On the tin I used the same image, paper piecing and mounting (except I used black)...and I used Frutti Fusion decoupaged onto the painted tin and a piece of black grosgrain stamped in Brilliance Platinum Planet with "enjoy" from a TAC set but I honestly can't remember which one (hey it was a year ago).

Inside I decoupaged another piece of Fruitti Fusion.

A little comment about the tag picture...I just love what an interesting photo it is as a thumbnail. It really makes an item stand out on Etsy.

Why marrying a geek is the most amazing thing ever

Sorry this is off topic...but you might have noticed how my Blog site was all messed up for the past few days...Blogger essentially broke their own template!!!

They asked me to update my template (automatically) I did and lovely...parts of it were all over the page like road kill. Now I am not without some template expereience...and I worked with it a mere few HOURS! Finally I just gave up...was actually a bit dispondent.

But then...as usual (note shameless plug of DH) my wonderfully geeky husband...who does this sort of stuff all day, works part-time at night (so I can stay home with the kids)...and even helps me around the house (yes he is real)...sat down and spent an hour fixing it (what would take a mere mortal like me...a few weeks).

So I'm back in business and don't look like a Picasso Painting anymore. And if you would like to see what my husband does (looks like) check out www.robgarrett.com. He is the cute British guy in the picture!

He also figured out to do the Etsy thing across the top!!!

More B/W with a Pop

This time it is a RED pop. Again this card was for a Black and White with a Color Pop swap on SCS...I actually designed this card first then went back and made some extra tags because I liked it soo much.

I finally have entered the Cuttlebug mania...and I'm an even bigger maniac because while I went and BOUGHT the Cuttlebug...I experimented and found out my Standard Sizzix does just fine with the Cuttlebug embossing folders, a Converter and white cutting pad. So back the Cuttlebug went and hello beautiful embossing!

I embossed white cardstock with the Cuttlebug Flower then ran my Palette Black Noir across the raised parts...boy did it make it pop! I cut it in half vertically to allow some of the flat white card to show...then matted it on black cardstock. Ever the frugal one...I only mounted it on 1/2" strips instead of the full 3". An easy way to do this is to put the tape facing up on the strip and lay the card on top...lining is up of course. Then go back and actually glue it down.

But then I thought it was looking a bit dreary more like a funeral parlor card...so I decided to embellish (we had to do one)...so I made a tage (black and white of course) then tried to find a flower stamp that matched...didn't have one. But I did have a punch. So I masked and stamped the TAC Friendship Flowers on the white Tag, punched out red from TAC Claret Cardstock...and just for that little extra something Red Fun Fur (okay I bought it so I HAD to use it).

Besides I've noticed I seriously have a Fun Fur obsession. I mean it is my perfect craft medium. Bright, cheap ($2 for yards and yards) and it adds so much zing to whatever I put it on...sometimes too much zing but I like LOUD!

Fraternal Twin Friday!

This is going to be a new section to promote my store and other Etsy sellers...Etsy is a pretty incredible place to get handmade items. I plan to try and do this every Friday. The goal is to match my card to an item for sale on Etsy!

I'm calling it Fraternal Twin Friday, because while their related they aren't identical!


This pairing would be perfect for that newborn Easter Baby!

B/W with a Pop!

I designed these for the "Black, White with Color Pop" Swap on SCS. I really like monocromatic things and of course Hot Pink is my favorite color. I have just about every color of Fun Fur (I just can't stop buying the stuff). It adds a little fun.

However, I am amazed I even joined another swap considering my incredibly bad luck with the last two I've done.

See Five Little Monkey's Post (http://bellarosecreations.blogspot.com/2006/12/can-you-count.html)

Anyway, these tags are going to be a new offering in my shop I think. I used the Giga (Purple) and Mega (Pink) Tag Punches. I stamped the white cardstock with the TAC Friendship flowers LE...I masked the flower part and replaced with a small flower punch and white brad.

I used color pencils to color in the leaves, but they look just as good without coloring. I mounted on TAC Black Cardstock and threaded through my fun fur!!!

Stamping for myself!

Tonight I stamped entirely for myself. I really enjoyed it! And because I had the person in mind the cards came together quickly and easily. But let's back up a bit and I'll explain what I needed the card for.

My women's club went to a wonderful Local Coffee Roaster and sampled 15 of the different coffees they sell. Steve, the guy giving the tour was amazing, fun, informative...a real gem of a person....and the coffee wasn't half-bad either (actually it rocked!!!).

I figure anyone who has the patience and fortitude to spend 6 years learning the craft of roasting coffee...would appreciate a handmade card.

So the card...I took light Beige Cardstock....neutral for the base. Masked the bottom 2/3 and used Palette Burnt Umber to stamp the coffee bean from the TAC Java Nice Day stamp set. I also sponged the area to darken it. I then stamped the main image in Palette Noir on one card and Palette Burnt Umber on the other just to see what I liked. I mounted it on textured Brown Cardstock I picked up at AC Moore today...10 sheets for a $1 woo hoo!!! Finally I stamped saying "thanks-a-latte" in Palette Burnt Umber also from the TAC Java Nice Day set.

However the best part was stamping the "coffee rings". I looked through my entire stamp set collection and couldn't find anything that would work. Despairing and wondering if I was going to have to give Gwen my upline and friend a call to see if she had anything...I realized...duh why not use an actual cup? Shocking I know...you can stamp with "free" items even ones that aren't rubber!!! So stamped away I did until I got the look that I was drinking coffee and left my mug on the end of my card (as if I would ever be so careless).

Keywords: Java Nice Day TAC coffee thank you
Stamps: TAC Java Nice Day
Paper: PC Neutral Beige; AC MOORE open stock brown textured cardstock; TAC White Cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir; Palette Burnt Umber

Another Altered Notebook

Another day another journal. Here is a 3X5" spiral notebook that I covered with designer paper (Uptown Girl) and stamped with the cutest TAC GWP flower. I finished it with a cute image of Bath Beads from the TAC Rub a Dub Dub set. And a sentiment from a TAC SOTM Girlfriend which says "A day in your life".

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub, Dub; TAC Girlfriends
Paper: TAC Uptown Girl; Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock;
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Various Ribbon Scraps, Memo Book

Something to think about...

I'm linking to a post I just found while trolling around the stamping blogs (my new time waster...what I do instead of stamping)...and it struck so close to what I've been feeling lately with my stamping and my blog (did you read the StampingTop50 post) and life in general. And she says it so much better...I mean how did she get in my head, but rather like her there.

It struck me how poignant Joan's comment on Paperlicious is...the rest of the "top stamping sites" are chatting about "CASEING" and plagiarism of cards and when is your work, your work...important yes. But I think Joan's comment about starting a hobby that then gets competitive and stressful.

I'm a SAHM and I have two fun and rambunctious kids...and I always feel guilty I'm not doing enough with them. More quality play...ahh...but then I really, really want to stamp out the idea in my head. And then I read about a mother of 5 on SCS and she turns out 5 cards a day...and they look awesome. Sigh...always makes me feel inadequate.

But Joan turns that notion and feeling right on its head and BAM! I'm feeling pretty good, pretty darn satisfied. Thanks Joan, and hey let's send her to the top of the charts...damn, I'm being competitive again!!!

Read it, it definitely is worth it!
http://paper-and-ink.blogspot.com/2007/02/stampers-neurosis.html

Tickled Pink Micro-Mini Scrapbook

I was trying to come up with a cheap fun, inclusion I could do for customers. A fellow Etysian (BeadShopGirl) sent me this adorable Matchbook notebook. I liked it but didn't want to flat out copy it...sigh. So I set is aside and started making some accordion albums...to send out. And BAM!!!


Would you believe that the little leftover you get when you cut two accordion folders is the exact size of that matchbook!! I couldn't believe it. A micro-mini accordion Scrapbook. I was just tickled pink...which is that name of this particular item!! So here it is...

Matchbook Cover (heavier cardstock works best).


2"X5.5"

Score it at 0.5" on the short side

Matchbook Insert

1 3/4"X 11"
Score it every 2 1/8"
You'll have a little bit at the end
Stick into the folded over matchbook end and staple (although I suggest decorating it first!)

This is my first tutorial. So if my directions make no sense...feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Here is some information on the specific Matchbook I made:

Stamps: TAC GWP You make me Smile; TAC SOTM Girlfriend; TAC Circle Tags; TAC Dance yourself silly
Paper: DCWV Stack 3; TAC White Cardstock; PC Pink Pastel; Michaels Designer Collection 2;
Ink: Palette Noir; Palette Pink Toille
Accessories: CM Micro Friendship; Super Jumbo Clever Lever Heart; red staples

My Tub Runneth Over Card

This is part of my new spa collection I'm designing for a client. They will be exclusive, however I just had to share it...I was so tickled pink. I think I'm finally in style...while it is in style that is...I really like using the white ink on dark solid cardstock! It just always seems to look nice.

This card is pretty simple and straightforward, a white carstock base with the Michael's designer cardstock 2 hot pink set on top and stamped with Brilliance Moonlight White and a TAC GWP flower background stamp. I love this stamp. I just keep using it like crazy!!

The main image is the TAC Rub a Dub Dub stamp colored with a blender pen and Aquacolor Crayons...I can't help but LOVE my crayons...also I am getting soo much better at the whole coloring thing...be brave leave a lot of white...looks better. Just I was too afraid. I outlined the image with a grey Tombow marker to give it some depth but I'm not sure I like it. After the image was finished I sponged around it with Palette Belle Rose which warmed it right up...she was looking a little chilly in her tub.

The saying is "My tub runneth over" also from the TAC Rub a Dub Dub stamped in Palette Noir. I used the vertical punch to punch two holes (my own paper ribbon charm) and ran my black grosgrain ribbon through them and wrapped around the pink layer...but the saying is actually affixed with dimensionals...hence the shadow on that side of the card.

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub, Dub; TAC GWP Flower
Paper: Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock; TAC Black Cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir, Brilliance Moonlight White ; Tac Belle Rose
Accessories: Pop up dots; Black Grosgrain Ribbon

Another Sneak Peek at my Spa Collection

So I've been developing a whole bunch of new items (for me) with a similar "Spa" look. Here is a selection of the Journals I would like to offer. A full size altered composition notebook and a small spiral notebook. I've chosen the TAC Uptown Girls paper collection...as it is very similar to the spa logo. Only problem is that at 8X8 it sometimes it isn't large enough.

Composition notebook
The composition notebook is very easy to make, although I had quite the challenge trying to find large paper to coordinate. So I cheated and used cardstock..it is the cheaper quality (ie lighter) Michaels stuff, but it worked quite nicely. I measured the cardstock...tried to use Mod Podge...disaster...so I used a generous amount of Yes glue...which worked a treat. I trimmed around the curved edges with an Exacto knife.

The image is one that required me to buy an ENTIRE 156 piece set of Stamping stuff from Michaels. It says "Kiss My Tiara"...I don't know it makes me laugh...and a really good friend and TAC Demo gets tiara's from the Angel Company so I altered a box for her and stamped that on it! Did I get a picture of it...no...but that is typical me. Okay back to my composition notebook...I thought that "Kiss my Tiara" would make those Tweens/Teens laugh...even if they don't have an attitude.

Stamps: Michaels Kit; TAC GWP Flowers
Paper: Michaels Designer Cardstock 2; DCWV Stack 3; TAC White Cardstock; Tac Uptown Girl
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Techniques: Paper Piecing

So the details, I stamped the Hot Pink CS with Brilliance Moolight White and this great TAC GWP which matches the Rub a Dub Dub set, then mounted it only up to the binding. I then stamped the Kiss my Tiara in Noir and paper pieced the crown with a scrap of the Solid Hot Pink TAC Uptown Girl paper. I tend to cover the binding because then I can wrap the ribbon all the way around (it is much stronger this way). I used the Black Sassy paper from DCWV Stack 3...finally I mounted white cardstock on the inside to cover all that *math stuff* when you are hanging out with a facial mask, getting your nails done I don't think you need to know the square root of pi.

Small Spiral Notebook

The spiral notebook was very simple, a 3"X5" piece of Uptown Girl Zebra print. I wasn't sure how to work the paper around the spirals, line it up punch then slit tops and glue around spiral...or removing the spiral. Finally I removed the spiral, it was easier. I glued the paper to the cover, used my 1/8" punch to repunch the holes, then put the whole thing back together.

The saying is from the TAC Special Edition Stamp Girlfriends, that should appear in next year's catalog. The black dot are just that...1/8" punches because I was worried that brads just wouldn't of flattened out on such a small piece of paper. Besides I have much better luck lining up paper circles than brads...go figure.

Finally I used up all those ribbon scraps to hide the unsightly spiral...I even sneaked in some fun fur fiber...to mimic Pink Bolas...another thing with the spa. Gosh it just makes me want to run out and get a pedicure....as if!! I like using the ribbons scraps but must say I used to think it was way over the top...but then all new styles need to grow on me. I'm kind of slow like that.

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub, Dub; TAC Girlfrinds
Paper: TAC Uptown Girl; Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock;
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Various Ribbon Scraps, Memo Book

Finally back to Stamping

Recently through my Etsy site, I had a request for a wholesale order!! This absolutely made my day...and also is the reason I haven't posted anything in a long while. I really, really do admire the people that post every day.

So the next few days I will be featuring a little peek-A-boo of some of my Spa Things! Here goes...a card I am particularily proud of. It is easy to reproduce and there aren't too many embellishments (ie keeping the time spent and cost down). And of course it keeps with the clean lines and colors I like!

Stamps: TAC Rub a Dub Dub; TAC GWP Flower
Paper: TAC Uptown Girl; Michaels Designer Collection 2; TAC White Cardstock; TAC Black Cardstock
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: MM White Eyelets; Dove Blender Pen; AquaCrayons
Techniques: Watercolor

Stamping Top 50 where are you?

I am really grumpy today as I've tried for about 1.5 months to figure out what was going on with my link to the right with my ranking for Stamping Top 50. A little while ago it stopped working...I went to the main site and noticed I couldn't even tell what my ranking was as the drop down lists for 50+ didn't work. I let it sit for awhile (actually I was a snowbird and went to FL for a month) and figured the site was broken and those techie guys would fix it...well I'm back and NO!!!

So I tried to submit a comment...ie SITE IS BROKEN...and the comment failed and the email was returned unsent. Well today I tried calling them...guess what the phone number is disconnected. Just crazy.

So if anyone in the know is reading the post I beg you let me know how to fix it...seeing my little site go up the rankings is very, very addicting and I'm totally strung out .

Don't faint but I actually stamped today

I needed the right card to go with the BD gift for my DD's godmother....and somehow none of the 100 cards I already have were speaking to me...I needed another one, the perfect one.

Now this card needed to be special (and quick) because, DD Godmother (she would argue Fairy Godmother, because my daughter is such a princess) is really a great person and an awesome godmother (read this as spoils her rotten...but in a nice way). So I made her a bracelet similar to the one that I made my mom (but didn't get a picture). The red swarovski crystals were to represent the Rubies (January birthstone) and the Pearls (my daughter's birthstone).

Stamps: TAC Freindship Flowers LE; TAC All Occasion Celebration; TAC Swirls
Paper: Black Cardstock; White Cardstock; TAC Scarlet Cardstock
Ink: Pallette Noir
Accessories: watercolor pencils; Tombow Gray Marker; Black Gingham ribbon

To accompany the bracelet, I made a really great RED card. I just love this red, so deep and colorful. But just to jazz it up a bit, I used the TAC Swirls with Palette Noir. And the flower stamp is Friendship Flowers LE colored in with colorpencils...not watercolored because I couldn't find my Dove Blender Pen...it seems to have disappeared during what will be referred to as "The Big Clean", matter of fact many important things are missing since the big clean. See I put them all together so I wouldn't lose them...now I just have to figure out where exactly that was...sigh, hopefully I will find them at some point...at least the really important ones.

A Sweet Purse - Heartalicious

I guess I'm in purse mode...I made this paper purse with card to match (okay two cards to match). I can't decide if I like the pink or black heart though.

The purse is the standard PaperCraft Magazine template and the cards are Black Cardstock base layered with Pink Bazzil Textured Cardstock. To keep it simple I just mounted the image on a scrap of Black Cardstock but went around the edges with the stamp pad to accent. The ribbon is Black Gingham...that I found in WalMart of all places (didn't have time to wait for an order).
Stamps: TAC Squiggle Hearts; TAC Flower Blocks
Paper: Bazzil Pink; Black Cardstock; White Cardstock
Ink: Pallette Belle Rose; Palette Toile Pink
Accessories: 1/8" Hole Punch, Gingham Ribbon; MM silver brads


The cards are normal A2 size one is black the other in pink.
Stamps: TAC Squiggle Hearts; TAC Be Authentic
Paper: Bazzil Pink; Black Cardstock; White Cardstock
Ink: Pallette Noir
Accessories: Gingham Ribbon





And this one in pink

Stamps: TAC Squiggle Hearts; TAC Flower Blocks
Ink: Pallette Noir; Pallette Belle Rose;
Accessories: Gingham Ribbon

Happy New Year...a time to reflect

Seeing as how is has been just over a year since I started stamping, I thought I would look through all my cards and see just which one I was the proudest of...okay there is more than one ;-)

However my absolute favorite, is the card I made for my mom on Mother's Day...at this point, I think I discovered my favorite thing to stamp is Anything but a card!!. So this purse, took some time to make but was definitely worth the effort. I hope I can remember exactly what I did to make this card.

Essentially the purse is a template that prints out on 8 1/2X 11" paper and you cut it out with an Exacto Knife or scissors. Looking at the closed purse to the left, I covered the bottom half with some fun purple daisy paper from DCWV Stack 3, I then punched out three flowers from the scraps with my Michael's $1 punch and added a small yellow center from my 1/8" punch. I strung simple satin ribbon to make the handles.

I loved the outside but when I initially looked at the inside with just "Happy Mother's Day" all I could think was BORING instead of classic and simple...

So I added some stamping...I used the TAC Hostess Set Earth Laughs and Palette Iris for the flowers and Palette Giverny Green for the stems. The "Happy Mother's Day" is stamped with the TAC Trendy Greetings in Palette Iris.

Stamps: TAC Hostess Set Earth Laughs; TAC Trendy Greetings
Ink: Palette Iris; Palette Giverny Green
Accessories: 1/8" Hole Punch, Satin Ribbon

Just a note that the top is a separate piece and provides cover for securing the ribbon as well as another pretty piece. And a small slit is used as the "clasp" of the Purse Card.

Here is a jpeg of the template, just resize on 8 1/2X11" paper and print.

Finally some time to stamp

Whew Christmas is over and I while I'm sad to see it go...I'm kind of glad I'm allowed to unbanish my stamping stuff back from the basement where it has been living a lonely existence...while that table was being put to use! I swear I'm going to talk about Stamping Stuff soon however, I'm a bit worried. All I've done this past month is make jewelry!!! And I'm bummed because NO ONE was as excited about my cards as they are about the paper jewelry :-( That said...I made a card (hey I still LOVE to stamp and NO ONE is going to stop me), bracelet and earrings for my Mom's friend's BD...they want the jewelry...they are going to put up with a little stamping...heh, heh.

Stamps: TAC So Girly, TAC All Occasion
Paper: DCWV Stack 3; The Paper Company Jewel Tone Purple
Ink: Brilliance Moonlight White
Accessories: Mega Scallop Square Punch

So I made a fun and quick card (Is that all I do lately?) for Diana, with my favorite set...except this is the LE version so it fits inside the window. I wanted to make the card purple but wasn't thinking *imagine that* so couldn't stamp it in black *duh*...viola white (It's popular right?). I kind of like it...and note the paper layer is the same as the "beads"...hey I can't color coordinate IRL...but I can SOO do it in my artistic life.

Paper: DCWV Stack 3
Accessories: magnetic clasp, beads, earring hooks

Another Baby...is there something in the water?

Yup two more babies!!! There is definitely something in the water...or perhaps air as one is in NZ and the other MD. I was boring this time as it was Christmas...I was stressed (trying to send the New Baby gift with the Christmas card and the Thank you for BD card...yes I'm a one stop shopping sort of lady). So I altered my blue boy card and made a pink girl card. I still think the design is very clean and fun!!! And hey...I finally did some stamping!!!! YaY!!!

Uh Oh though....my table is now under 2 feet of stuff already! How the heck does that keep happening! Two hours of cleaning (putting away all the ribbon, paper...you get the idea), 4 hours of paper scrap sorting (okay I'm insane) for One Christmas dinner...2 minutes to make a card....priceless? Absolutely!!!

Stamps: TAC
Paper: DCWV Stack 3; JoAnns card essentials; The Paper Company Brights Green
Ink: Palette Belle Rose; Palette Noir

More Paper Bracelets...I think I may have an addiction

I may have a serious addiction to these. I found these glass bicone beads on sale at WalMart of all places...they were like $0.50 a pack on clearance. I think I will give this bracelet to my sister for Christmas. Topaz is her Birthstone and the green bead sort of looks like Topaz...and the rest are colors she wears.

Now this bracelet has an actual clasp...I am still no jewelry maker but I was pretty proud of the way I finished this piece. I still need to make my mother her grandmother bracelet (the whole reason I started down this jewelry path).

I promise to get back to more stamping, but between Christmas Cards, last minute gifts and cooking I haven't had much time to explore. I feel like all I've been using this past two weeks is a set of Snowflake Stamps permanently mounted and the Kaleidacolor Blue Breeze stamp pad. This week alone, I 've made two snowflake Paper Purses, gift card holders...and bracelets! Unfortunately didn't get pictures before giving them...I'm just not camera functional at 2AM my new time to get everything done.

I read about these ladies on SCS who have 5 kids and I have no idea how they do it...I have two and I barely get time to take a shower. Thank God I don't need much sleep "me" time is after everyone else is finally in bed and most of the chores are done. But then I think the best creativity comes out under stress and duress...my best short stories were written two hours before they were due!!

Oh yeah and...

Paper: TAC Rustic Chic
Accessories: 5mm sliver beads, 6mm citrine, turquoise, smoke glass bicone beads

Paper Jewelry?

Recently I've been inspired to make paper jewelry. Okay the truth of the matter is this. I NEED to clean up my stamping table which also happens to be the dining room table...cuz we might need it for Christmas! Ha! Because I'm a Paper Hoarder and can't throw away scraps...especially if it is beautiful paper...I've borrowed this incredible idea from mariiam from SCS. It uses up 1/2"x1/2" scraps...amazing. And the result is incredible...and addicting! This bracelet was strung on stretchy cord...but a kind friend has shown me how to make it with a clasp!

What do you think?

Paper: DCWV Stack III
Accessories: various glass beads and faux pearls

Can you Count?

I've been dying to share this layout with you all. I joined my second swap on SCS Know Your Numbers...I'm still new to 'swapping' but I am really proud of this entry.

The rules were a 6X6 layout, two layers (CS & paper)...I kind of fudged on the paper, but I think the details will make up for it! It wasn't hard to do just took some time with all the details...stamping, watercoloring and cutting 60 monkeys took forever...and then there were the leaves ;-). I did get lucky as a friend let me borrow her Big Shot and Number 5 die...but I ended up using the outline because it looked better...does anyone need 12 5s?


Stamps: Wild Animals LE, Crackle Background
Paper: Neutral Cardstock, DCWV Slab III, vellum
Ink: Palette Noir, Palette Burnt Umber
Accessories: tan scrappers floss, MM bronze eyelets and brads, Big Shot, Lyra Watercolor crayons

UPDATE (3/30): Would you belive the Hostess flaked and never sent out any of her swaps...for 2 months!!! Even with Moderator intervention and the fact another SCS person drove to her house to pick up another swap...cuz she just couldn't get to the Post Office. Unfortunately the Numbers Swap was still in her basement...I am so completely bummed and not a little pissed!