Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I know I'm late for the Christmas part, but I honestly haven't been around the computer recently.

I'm off from work until the 5th, so I'm hoping to actually get down into the dungeon and play with my stamps.

Oh, and make some cards with one of my Christmas presents:

the 72A set of Copic Sketch markers. :)

I've been playing around with them a little and I'm liking the results I'm getting. Next step: smaller images.

I'm hoping to post something tomorrow, but just in case I get completely sidetracked - as anyone who reads this blog is aware can happen regularly - have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas is coming

And surprisingly, I actually have (some) time to stamp.

It's like a taking a deep breath. I finished the cards for my coworker (and have been paid), presents have been bought and wrapped, and thank you cards for work (they pay me for them) are up to date.

Oh, and yesterday's snow day wasn't bad at all. Yes, the roads were blech, I almost got run over by a snowplow, I watched a mail truck slide every which way, and we were afraid we were going to get stuck at daycare with all the snow, but it was a calm day kid-wise.

I also have my boss' Christmas present done. Since I have a TON of cards just sitting up here next to my computer - I bring them up from the Dungeon, take a picture and leave them here - I was encouraged to gift some of them away. So my boss is getting some of them - and a cute little gift set of a post-it note holder, beaded pen and a coaster calendar. All of which are really easy and quick to do (my trouble? Finding the time.)

Stamps: PTI - Butterfly Kisses. Paper: white, Elegant Eggplant, Cosmo Cricket dp (jumping joan, I believe.) Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Versamark. Accessories: acrylic 4x6 photo frame, post-it notes, UTEE, 4x4 coaster, staple, magnetic tape, RSVP pen, microbeads, tacky tape, Martha Stewart glitter.

The IC (inspiration challenge) was posted early last night. It's the Saturday challenge on SCS. This week's challenge is all about the work of Alexander Girard - and the company maXimo that markets it now. Here's the thread on SCS.

Inspiration is a funny thing. Things that inspire one person don't inspire another. I generally don't do the IC on SCS (wow, lots of acronyms) because I just look at it and think, "I'm supposed to make a card from this?"

This week was easy - a lot easier than others. I liked the attachment of the building blocks - the bright vibrant colors were refreshing. Especially since most of yesterday was consumed by white.

The snowflakes are stamped in Versamark on Very Vanilla cardstock, then embossed clear. I then sponged the color over them and added a rhinestone.

I stamped my sentiment on some SU twill tape in Chocolate Chip ink. My knot is tied off to the side to have the most stamping room.

**I never thought I'd ever say this, but I think my card would be better with kraft cardstock as the base. I don't own any, but I might have to get some from PTI the next time I order.

Stamps: PTI - Snowfall Additions. Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, Only Orange, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla. Ink: Versamark, Pink Passion, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: clear ep, rhinestones, word window punch, twill tape.

Wishing everyone a very wonderful weekend,

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I got an award!

Riley over at Stampin' & Dancin' with Riley (in my blog roll under Riley) gave me an award today. I don't get awards often, so it's a special treat.

I think in the rules for this award, you list 5 things you're addicted to.

1) Romance novels. Gotta love the happy ever after (or vampires. I like vampires, especially when they get happy ever afters.)
2) Stamps and associated supplies. I don't think I'll ever have enough stamps or ink pads.
3) Caffeine. I work with kids, 'nuff said.
4) The tv show Top Chef (oh and Project Runway)
5) Candy canes.

I'm going to pass the award to:
Shelly
Cammie
Connie
Keri
Jessica

It's a little warmer today than it was yesterday. Which is a plus. :)

Hoping for warmer weather and snow that falls only on the grass (not on the streets or driveways),

Monday, December 15, 2008

2 Hour delays and updates in general

Yesterday it was 46 degrees outside. Actually it was 46 degrees at MIDNIGHT (aka 9 hours ago.) It is now 15 degrees outside, the wind's whipping around and everything that melted over the course of yesterday is now ice. I could put on ice skates and skate around at the end of my driveway. I'd probably fall and hurt myself.

Since everything's ice, there's a 2 hour delay for the school district - meaning things will be crazy at work when I get in. Yay for working at the school district's daycare.

Excluding a few last minutes, Christmas cards are written in, envelopes addressed, and at the post office. I didn't think I was EVER going to get them done. I used all the cards I made this year - plus a few. I'm glad I get the urge to make Christmas cards when it's too late to send them out, so I have some that I just need to write in.

I think I'm done with my present shopping. Think is the main word - I keep coming up with more people.

************

In stamping news, I heard from my coworker who asked me to make a set of cards. Her best friend LOVED them and was impressed. This led to another coworker asking me to make her 3 sets of cards so she could give them out as Christmas gifts.

I should be working on those right now, but I was cutting ribbon and attaching it all through the Papertrey release party on their forum last night. I'll take some pictures of the cards as I go and post them soon.

I think that's all for now, so I hope everyone's nice and warm (because it's not here,)

Monday, December 8, 2008

TLC198 - Wineglass Shade

When I saw this technique posted at 8:30 this morning, I thought it was GREAT. I wanted to do this technique and upload it NOW!

Unfortunately, I didn't have a lunch packed, I hadn't eaten breakfast, and my car had snow on it still. All things that needed to be taken care of before I left for work at 9:45.

I promised myself I would do this challenge when I got home from work.

I did it!

I used SU's vellum cardstock and traced the pattern that Lynn (the TLC hostess) was kind enough to give us. I cut it out and scalloped the bottom using the a corner rounder punch with the guide taken off. It's a little tedious using this punch to make scallops, but I knew I could follow the curve of the vellum.

I stamped my snowflakes with Ripe Avocado ink. Since Palette inks don't dry as quickly on vellum as they do on regular cardstock, I sprinkled the snowflakes with Heat and Stick powder. After melting this with a heat gun, I added crystal glitter. I then assembled the shade, adding Bellas Baubles in pickle and clear rhinestones to the centers of the snowflakes.

It's simple, but I really like how this turned out.

Stamps: PTI - Snowflake Serenade. Paper: vellum cardstock. Ink: Ripe Avocado. Accessories: heat and stick powder, tacky tape, crystal glitter, baubles, rhinestones, corner rounder punch.

I'm not really looking forward to the freezing rain/snow combo we're starting to get now through tomorrow night. Can it be April weather now????

Wishing everyone safe driving,

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Packaging

I got the set of cards finished for my coworker - she loved them. :) I didn't get a picture of them before I gave them to her, but they're pretty much identical to the set I gave to my Secret Santa (I used a brighter pink and red for the new set.)

I got a pair of really soft fuzzy socks for one of my best friends for Christmas. This is only part of her gift, so don't worry, she's getting some good stuff too. The best way to package them are those box in a bag things. They are so easy to make - here's a link to the tutorial on Splitcoast:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/boxinabag/

My dp was sprayed lightly with Honey Dew Glimmer Mist a few days ago so it would be dried and ready to go when I made my bag. The flowers on the front were originally white. I took 2 Bazzill flowers and 2 Primas and sprayed them with Honey Dew Glimmer Mist as well, then carefully dried them with my embossing gun. Carefully being the main idea - they're lightweight and went flying a few times in the process. I love the shimmer they have (though the Primas have more obvious shimmer - probably a difference in one flower being fabric and the other being paper.)

Stamps: None! Paper: white, round tab punched Certainly Celery, dp by My Mind's Eye (I think). Ink: Certainly Celery marker. Accessories: ribbon, tacky tape, Bazzill flowers, Primas, glue dots, brads, corner rounder punch, Honey Dew Glimmer Mist.

If it would stop snowing, I'd be happy. It's barely stopped snowing all week.

Wishing everyone good weather,

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Goals finally accomplished

Of course it's a day late - when do I ever seem to do things for this blog on time? For this, I truly apologize to whomever reads this blog.

I made my CC (color challenge) card last night... and forgot my camera upstairs. I get home after 6 every night and it's dark outside already. It's kinda depressing - especially when you want to take pictures of your work and the best lighting in the house is fluorescent. *sigh* That's going to turn into rant, so I'll stop while I'm ahead. I wasn't sure about the color combination - 3 neutrals: vanilla, sand and black? I need to stop doubting Emily - who chooses the color challenges.

I like how this card turned out. The card base is cut using the largest scalloped circle Nestie die I have. The black layer is cut out with another circle Nestie. My image is stamped in Palette Noir ink and colored with 2 Prismacolor pencils and baby oil. I then added some shimmer to the snow with some Oyster Twinkling H2Os and sparkle to the card with Black Diamond Stickles.

Stamps: MFT - Baby, It's Cold Outside. Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Basic Black. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: baby oil, Prismacolor pencils, Twinkling H2Os, Stickles, Nesties, ribbon, word window punch.

And, my 4 Christmas card designs for 2008.


On a great note: one of my coworkers who saw the set of cards I made my Secret Santa wants me to make her a set for her best friend. Yay for the fact I'm making money off my craft! (slowly anyway)

Wishing everyone a good night!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Verdict is...

My work Christmas party was last night - where we exchanged gifts.

My Secret Santa person was definitely impressed and felt spoiled. Some of the other coworkers at the table were amazed and I was told - yet again - that I need to sell my cards.

I'm glad she liked it.


My goal tonight: take a picture of my 4 Christmas cards, upload it, make a card for today's CC, and upload that.

In a way, I'm glad most of the tv shows I watch have ended - it leaves more time for stamping. :)

Wishing that I lived in a place with no snow,