Monday, June 30, 2014

Big Ways, Small Ways to use the Envelope Punch Board

I'm working on a swap card that focuses on the use of the Envelope Punch Board. Hummm...Aside from making envelopes, I enjoy the file tab look that the punch creates. Using that as my inspiration, this is my first pass at my design for the swap. Whatcha think?
So, the quick run down on what I did.  The background was made using the new Designer Masks that had been spritzed with a Reinker/Alcohol combination. I added some Washi Tape to the top of a piece of Whisper White cardstock and used the Envelope Punch Board to create the "file tab". Score. Fold. Stamp using Something To Say.  To keep the little file tab closed, I punched the heart from Something To Say with the new small heart punch in the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and attached it just to the side of the file tab with a Dimensional.

I'm not sure if this is my swap yet or not.  I'm going to keep playing and see what else I can come up with!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!

I admit it openly. Sometimes I don't have an original idea in my head. If it weren't for Pinterest and the Internet in general I may NEVER do anything creative.  Sometimes, I can come up with something kinda cool on my own and I love to post it.  A while back I posted this Sea Street card on my blog and then onto Pinterest.  It gets a bunch of shares which makes me quite proud :)

We do a card swap as part of my monthly hostess club meeting. My friend Patty made a very cool Sea Street card.  She asked if I recognized it from Pinterest.  Recognize it? I posted it!!  She had no clue :)  I gotta say, I felt like a proud mama. I got to see my card inspire someone who had no idea I was their inspiration AND I get to keep it.  Patty's card is on the left, mine on the right.  It made me happy!!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Swallowtail Meets Work Of Art

I've totally got a "thing" for butterflies.  Anyone who has known me for any length of time will tell you it's almost an obsession.  I've even got myself a couple butterfly tattoos :)  When the Swallowtail stamp came out, I knew I had to have it.  I've done a lot of different things with it but I think this has to be my favorite.

Jan Tink is a super successful and amazingly talented Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I love to stalk her blog.  She posted a very similar card and I knew I had to take a shot at recreating it. It uses the Work of Art stamp set to color the butterfly.  I used Gorgeous Grunge to take up the white space.  I AM IN LOVE!  We're making this card in Sunday's Work of Art Stamp-A-Stack.  I still have some available spots if you'd like to come!

Randomly, I took this photo in my stamp room.  Notice how the card base sort of blends in with the wall?  I took a sheet of Wisteria Wonder cardstock to Home Depot and said, "This color, please."  Pretty cool, huh?

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Has anybody seen my ruler?

Because I certainly haven't!  This is where I am...halfway between a massive disaster and beautiful breakthrough. If only I could find that silly ruler!!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Trying to be essentially chemical free

First of all, I'm not a doctor, a trained physician of any kind or even well read on the use of homeopathic remedies.  I do, however, know what works for ME and MY FAMILY and think it warrants sharing because OMG! It works!  I should also note that I am not a representative or customer of any direct sales company who sells essential oils (nor will I be any time soon!)

Second, I realize this has nothing to do with stamping unless you think of it from the perspective that I wouldn't be able to spend a material amount of time enjoying my paper if I feel like garbage.   So in a way, it's kind of stamp related, right?

We are trying, difficult and slow as it may be, to get rid of unnecessary chemicals in my house. We're making our own cleaners. Eating MUCH better, nothing from a box or a bottle if we can't pronounce all of the words. I'm trying to venture down the road of essential oils for natural health. I haven't taken an allergy pill all season...and it's been a bad one.  And you know what? It's working! I've felt better. I sleep better. I'm losing weight (but that's a totally different discussion for a totally different day.)

The best thing I've done for myself lately is to learn about essential oils and aromatherapy.  I'm certainly no expert but I am convinced it works and works well.  Lavender Essential Oil is something I have near me always.  It helps me sleep. It helps a headache. It helps clear up blemishes. It helps heal cuts. It smells great in just about everything. It's become my go to when I just don't know what I need.

Today is especially icky outside as it relates to grass pollen, which makes me miserable. My sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat almost had me heading for the medicine cabinet this morning but I held off and whipped up an EO concoction. Would you know, within 5 minutes all of my symptoms were gone. What?? Scouts honor, I feel like a human and it doesn't involve a lick of Zyrtec. My concoction consisted of 2 ounces almond oil as my base with essential oils of: lavender (8 drops), lemon (8 drops), peppermint (4 drops), and eucalyptus (2 drops).  I've rubbed it on my throat and neck, a little behind my ears, took some deep breaths from my cupped hands. I can breathe. My sneezing has stopped.  My throat isn't scratching. My eyes aren't watering. That's all I've got. It works.

Maybe I'll start putting together a book that has all of my cool natural recipes in it. That would be stamping related...PROJECT LIFE!!  I'm on it, kids.  Want to learn more about what I'm doing to move us to a chemical free household? Just ask :)

Monday, June 9, 2014

Larger Than Life 4U


I've been working on a card for a new catalog stamp set swap that I joined this week.  I decided to choose a stamp set that might be a bit more unexpected as a feature stamp set.  I chose Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers.  Unless you're working with a scrapbook or doing some kind of personalized project, you're likely not thinking about using an alphabet set as your featured stamp...at least I don't!
I chose this alphabet because I think it's really unique.  The letters are large, about 1 1/2". I also think it's a great way to show card makers and scrapbookers how an alphabet set isn't just for titles on a page but can also be incorporated into card making.
This particular card uses the Triple Stamping or Layered Stamping technique (one of my favs) with a collage of Everything Eleanor.  My colors are Night of Navy, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant and Pool Party.  While I really do like this card (it'll make its way into a stamp-a-stack soon), I don't think the alphabet stamp set qualifies as the "feature".  I'm going back to the drawing board.
What do you think? Are there other ways to incorporate an alphabet set into your everyday stamping?

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Thinking of You Work of Art


I've been thinking of you :)  One of my favorite color combinations ~ Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzelberry ~ were the inspiration for today's Work of Art. This is of of the cards that will be featured in my June Stamp-A-Stack. So easy, so versatile, so HAPPY!!

I've really been enjoying stamping with Work of Art.  The stamp set has proven to be incredibly versatile.  While it looks like it's just some watercolor swooshes, it's really so much more!  It's polka dots, stripes, backgrounds, rainbows, and on and on and on!  We're going to explore how much you can do with the Work of Art SAS.

June 29th is the day to visit my stamp room to work on some BEAUTIFUL cards that can be customized for any occasion.  Sign up on my Meetup site by clicking this link. While you don't need to have your own Work of Art stamp set, I'm offering a special purchase incentive for anyone coming to the class who orders by June 15. We'll also have a special EXTRA card stack for anyone who has their own Work of Art Stamp set!

Register today to reserve your spot! Happy Stamping!!