I won!!!!

I am in SHOCK. I actually won some blog candy. And I am so so SO excited!!!  Barbara Schram over at her blog Explore. Dream. Discover. had a big giveaway. It's been a week long adventure of SO many talented ladies who have been having candy giveaways on their blogs in celebration of Sharon Johnson 1 yr. blog anniversary at No Time To Stamp? I love her blog because just as with everything else in life,  I seem to have no time to stamp! (although, I do my best)

 She has quick and easy ideas and tutorials on how to get amazing results with little time.

Thank you to Barbara for the giveaway. I can't wait to start using all the fabulous stuff!!!

Christmas Card Extravaganza!

I haven't posted in such a long time and realized it's because I haven't sat down to make a card in a really long time! Today I decided I HAD to do something. I knew I could have a bit of time during baby's nap and sat down at noon when the phone rang. My real estate agent was asking to bring someone by at 2p. I looked around the house and realized EVERY room was a disaster, and new instantly that card making would have to wait... again.

We were frantic (the kids and I) getting things pulled together and after a full day of errand running I just couldn't keep myself away any longer. At the time of day when I should be focusing on food, kids, baths and such, I found myself pulling out stamps instead.

I finally received my Hero Arts Stunning Snowflakes Design Block in the mail last week. (it took over a month to get here... ugh!) When I first saw it I thought it would be the perfect thing to make quick and easy, yet elegant holiday cards. I picked up a few different mediums in which to try the stamp and played around tonight.

The first one I did was with regular ink. I think it turned out pretty nice. Simple, but it seems a bit naked still. I think a little hardware is in order. I have had this SU! Not Quite Navy for a long time, but am just now gaining a real love for it.  It's really striking on white.

The next medium I really wanted to try was acrylic paint. I have seen Pine do this all the time and when I went to my local craft store they were having a clearance sale on acrylics but nothing was organized into colors. I dug through and I picked up what I thought was white paint only to find out its has an opal finish. Which is great because it gives a nice shimmer to it, but I was hoping for more of a thick white on craft look. I really like how this card turned out and hope to use more paint in the future. The kids really LOVED the paint and thought it was cool.
I had also picked up some Stampendous Crystal Snow. Which is glittery and snowy all in one. I love it on certain things, but I think this Pure Poppy is just too much for it to stand out. I really love glittery snowflakes, aren't they great?
Again I used only ink on this one but stamped some swirls in Aqua Mist first and then Dark Chocolate snowflakes over it.  I was really excited about the making this shabby chic but then I really dropped the ball. I put some gold Perfect pearls on the bottom but decided I hated it and tried to scrape it off and then put some crystal snow over it. Basically it looks like I dipped it in caramel and licked it off. mmmmmm. that sounds good. 

Also, I sponged some Dark Chocolate on the edges, but over did it. My poor card looks like it was dropped in dirt...and caramel!!!  Very shabby, but not so chic!  I have ordered the scallop edge punch from SU! and plan on re-making this card with it at the bottom and with a little more wisdom. And then I will eat an ice cream sundae.

And last, my good friend, and personal SU! Demonstrator Ann taught me about Perfect Pearls (I think she uses a different brand though). She did a great tutorial on how to use them and I thought it would be perfect for my snowflakes. I picked some up from the local craft store with a GREAT coupon and really do love them. Today the sun was streaming through the window and you could see Perfect Pearls floating all around the room. Even the baby was fascinated by it. On this card I actually used Copper and Gold and swirled them around. I set it with some hairspray. I really love the look of it. Very simple, yet elegant. And only one layer so we don't irk the postman.  Now I am realizing I have tried out so many different kinds, by the time I find something I really love I will have made more than I need!! That's obsession for ya.

Thanks for stopping by!

k

Star Book

I ran into this great tutorial for a StarBook from Kristina Werner at kwernerdesignblog. I just love her blog. So many great ideas.  You can check out her post on it HERE. They are really easy to make, although they do take a little bit of time. But the results are absolutely worth it.

I used some great paper by K&Company called Berry Sweet. I love their papers. These are bright, fruity and fun.

I matted the labele on the front for a friend who is turning 4 and put some Berry Sweet embellishments on it. All of which were 40% off at A.C. Moore. LOVE when they have sales!

Here is the final product completely open. You cover the pages with journaling and photos and display it in its open star shape tied by the ribbon. (That is if you actually have space to do so.)
The different colors and patterns of the paper are what give your star interest. You can find and download the instructions from Kristina Werner to make your own. Go on, I know you want to. It's so fun!

Deets:

Stamps: Birthday Basics (PTI), Random letter stamps from I don't know where!

Ink: Chartreuse (Pallete) Berry Sorbet (PTI) Basic Black SU!

Paper: Berry Sweet (K&Company), Lemon Tart, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White (PTI)

Accessories: Berry Sweet felt and chipboard Embellishments, American Craft Ribbon, Terrifically Tacky Tape

Silent Auction for Nie Nie

One of the things I love about cyberspace is the way information travels. With an intense ferocity.

That's how I heard about Stephanie and Christian Nielson. Friends of friends of friends..... you get the idea.
Here is a bit of their story...

About Nie:
On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash with her husband, Christian Nielson, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinnear, near St. J

ohns, Arizona. Doug Kinnear passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital.

Christian & Stephanie remain in critical condition at Maricopa Burn Center. Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body. His wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%.

For the past four years, Stephanie has welcomed us into her charming abode through the NieNie Dialogues. Far from being a product of creative editing, the Nielson’s don’t just shine through the selective lens of a blog. They are ingenuous examples of family devotion, eternal romance, and Christ centered faith.

When I heard they were accepting donations for a silent auction to raise money for their recovery costs, I wanted to help. I have donated two card sets which you can see below. There are many of my creative mommy friends that are donating as well. You can check out the auction here TODAY!! (Thur. Aug. 28th 2008). There are many fun things you can bid on or if you care to give a straight donation you can click on the link in my sidebar or visit the

NieNie Dialogues for more information.

Here is another great post done by Stephanie's sister. You can read about the love and strength they have as a family and the journey they are all on together.

Or you can see the Nie Recovery blog site to check in on what's happening now, watch news clips of the crash or see how the family is doing.

It is such an amazing time when people who have never met can bind together for a cause. For the lives of another. Send up a prayer for those that are suffering. For Stephanie and Christian. For their children at home missing their parents. For the brothers, sisters, relatives and friends who are all waiting and praying for their recovery.

Thank You.

k

The first set is of eight 4x4 notecards & envies in a plastic storage box. Please note** Since the envelopes are handcrafted there is no glue on the flap. The ribbon is intended to help secure the flap into place. Also USPS will NOT process this size of card. These are intended to be hand delivered with love : )

Second set is eight standard 4.25 x 5" cards & stamped envies in a plastic storage box.

Now go check out the auction and BID BID BID!!!!

Merry Christmas Pinecones

I really like this card. I love the color (OY! Pure Poppy HEAVEN!), I love the crinkled vellum. I love the images. BUUUUUUUTTTT... I think it's too bulky with the ribbon. Maybe I should try some fibers instead. I added some crystal snow to the top of the leaves and pine cone to make it a bit more wintery, but you can't see it in the photo. Nor can you see the background stamps of snowflakes. It definitely has more interest in real life. This Pure Poppy just sucks up all the attention. Perfect for the holidays!

*** Did you know: Artificial Christmas Trees have outsold real ones since 1991. 

Hmmmm. I wonder which is less "green". Chopping down a live tree, or the plastics & chemicals used to make a fake one.

Deets: 

Stamps: First Fruits (PTI), Christmas Expressions (Mona Lisa Moments by Cornish Heritage Farms), Season's Of Joy (snowflake-SU!)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Spring Moss, (all PTI)

Paper: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Stampers Select White, Vellum (all PTI)

Accessories: Pure Poppy Ribbon, Distressing Tool (SU!) Crystal Snow (Stampendous)

Joy, Peace, Hope I get my cards done.

Second Christmas card idea. I stamp kissed the tree with some flourishes. They didn't come out as noticeable as I'd liked. Plus you can see the glue through my glitter. Guess I didn't let it coat enough. Will do better next time!!

I love this tree though!! And it was simple to do. But is it a Christmas-y tree enough? I think this tree needs an owl :)

*** Did you know: Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday, in 1836.

Leave it to Alabama to throw a good par-tay!

Deets: 

Stamps: Christmas Expressions (Cornish Heritage Farms), Kissable Tree (Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms, Beautiful (kissed flourishes- Cornish Heritage Farms) Out On a Limb (Berries- PTI)

Ink: Old Olive (SU!), Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Paper: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Accessories: Distressing Tool (SU!), Snow Crystals (Stampendous), Sterling Glitter (Martha Stewart)

The Holidays are COMING!

I do realize what time of year it is. School hasn't started yet (for us anyway), Halloween is in the distance and Christmas is EONS away. But all my cardmakin' buddies are already thinking of, if not completing their Christmas cards already. And since I have a move in my near future (hopefully) plus some lofty card making gift ideas for the holidays, I thought I should start on my cards now!  

I am toying with a few ideas. Please feel free to vote on which one you like. I will be posting a few through the next week or so. I'm trying to balance a few things; First, I want them to stamp out fast, (I have to make 50!) but not be so simple that it's boring. Plus it can't be too bulky so it doesn't get ripped to shreds in the mail. (I hear the postmen hate ribbon, is that true?) So this is the first prototype. I like it, but it doesn't wow me. Any thoughts??

***Fun Fact: The first letter of the Greek word for Christ is chi, which is X. Before the invention of the printing press, "Xmas" was often used, in print, to save time and ink.

Good. Now I don't feel so sacrilege!! 

Deets:

Stamps: Out on a Limb, First Fruits (PTI), Christmas Expressions, (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate (allPTI)

Paper: Kraft, Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, Vellum (all PTI)

Accessories: Distressing Tool (SU!) Gold Fiber Ribbon (Michael's Crafts)