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 :)

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?

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!!

Scribble on your stamp blocks!

To spray or not to spray, that was this morning's question.  I was up at an obscene hour this morning. I got woken up and just couldn't go back to sleep. I took the opportunity to head down into my stamp room and get crafty.

I enjoy stamping and creating unique backgrounds. Today I decided to use my stamp blocks to create a splotchy, watercolor background.  It's fun, colorful and EASY to do with your Stampin' Write markers.

The process is really quite simple. Grab a stamp block, any size, and your favorite Stampin' Write marker.  Scribble.  Now comes the decision point, to spray or not to spray.  In the card photo, the card on the left was not sprayed...scribble, stamp, next. For the card on the right, the block was spritzed with water...scribble, spray, stamp, next.  Totally simple, right?  I don't think one is any better or worse than the other but more a matter of preference.

The stamp set used here is Another Thank You, a new photopolymer set available in the 2014-2015 Idea Book and Catalog. My colors (that I picked to wake myself up) are Island Indigo, Rose Red, Crushed Curry and Elegant Eggplant.  Go scribble on your stamp blocks. It's fun!

Welcome Claire 12"x12" Framed Picture

I'm an auntie again!  My sister and her husband welcomed little Miss Claire Olivia to their family on May 22.  I'm over the moon in love with her precious little face!  She's the first girl in our family. I'm feeling a whole lot of spoiling going on :)

I held off on buying too much frilly pink baby gear before Claire was born. I knew once I started I wouldn't stop! But, everybody is sending cute little outfits.  Auntie needed to delivery something unique. Pinterest here I come! Totally inspired by many pins (visit my Stampin' Up! board) I came up with this awesome 12"x12" framed print.  My sister is using Wisteria Wonder (my favorite SU! color) to make her announcements and the baby's layette is lavender themed. I found some Afternoon Picnic DSP and went to town. I fell in love with the bird element and the L"ove" square I found on Pinterest so they made their way into our project.  Butterflies (my signature element), flowers and hearts make up the rest.

My measurements = Individual Square Mats (Basic Gray) - 3.5" square

Designer Series Paper - 3.375" square

Alphabet - 3" high

Outside squares are placed .5" away from the edge with .25" between the inside squares.

I'm kind of thinking I want to make one of these for myself! Good thing the frames were buy one, get one free...I've got one waiting for me! Class, maybe??

Join for $50!

Seriously? What an incredible deal!  Now through June 30 join our Korner Krazy Stamper family for just $50!! If you love Stampin' Up! products as much as I do you really can't pass up this incredible deal.  Exactly what do you get for $50?

• $55 in Stampin' Up! product of your choice including demonstrator preorder items (Blendabilities anyone??)
• A 30% discount on your first order
• A 20% discount on all future orders
• A FREE Paper Pumpkin Kit ($19.95 value)
• FREE entry into the 2014 SU! Convention

PLUS...all of my Korner Krazy Stampers will receive a $20 quarterly class credit to Kelli's Korner Klasses as long as they are active and access to team only project tutorials!

If you're paper Krazy like I am, you won't regret joining the Stampin' Up! team! JOIN NOW!

Birthday Blocks

Sometimes the best cards are the simplest. I was playing with my In Colors to make a quick birthday card.  This particular gem was made with what I'll call "Block Stamping". I simply inked up my clear mount blocks and used it as my stamp. I feminized this one with a flower stem from Thoughts & Prayers and a little fork bow made from some of the new In Color ribbon but I think this block stamping method would be a great way to rip through some guy cards. I think I'll work on that.

Happy Stamping!