Too Many Pictures!

I had a crop yesterday, and I feel somewhat accomplished since I managed to complete a double page spread. I have several incomplete layouts that I pulled out to focus on, but it just wasn't in me to finish any of them.  I also had some fun Easter photos from 2007 to work with...a bazillion of them actually, so that's what I did!

I started with one of my sketches, but mainly I just looked at it for positioning, and moved on. If I'd had a printed copy it would have been the exact same layout, but it's pretty close. I love these Big Designer Buttons, aren't they fun!?

I used the Color Spritzer Tool with a Garden Green marker and refill bottles of ink in Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo to make drips and spots on my Newsprint Designer Series Paper. I also blotted it with a paper towel, which made some pretty neat textured spots too! You should have seen my paper towel afterwards...looked like I had a MAJOR nose bleed! lol

This is the second page. Because I had sooooo many pictures, I decided to make a mini album right on the page. I cut some card stock 4" high by 7" wide,  scored it at 1" intervals and then fan folded it so I could use it to mount the pictures on.

I used my 2-1/2" Circle Punch to make tabs for turning the pages.

Here's another look with the mini book opened up. I had a lot of fun working on these pages! :)

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Word Play, Well Scripted
PAPER - Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Newsprint DSP, Sunny Garden DSP

INK - Ruby Red (to edge the paper), Tangerine Tango, Garden Green, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight

OTHER - Sizzix Naturally Serif Alphabet, Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons, Pop Up Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Yellow Grosgrain Ribbon, Color Spritzer Tool

A Small Change with BIG Impact

This is my small area in our shared "studio." It has evolved over the last two years and I truly love my space, but there is so much more I'd like to do in this room to make it more functional. One thing I thought would be simple was mounting a towel bar to the wall to hang my punches on. I have seen many other crafters post pictures using this idea and I have been in love with the idea ever since.

BUT...yeah, here's the thing...I used a stud finder to check for studs to mount the bar, and it wasn't going to work. POO! So I've had these bars stashed in the corner with the intention of figuring out an alternative, and I have! After the patio cover we built last Summer I was looking at these leftover pieces of plywood and my light bulb went off...I could mount that to the wall and then it won't matter where the wall studs are!

I bought myself some pretty fabric to cover the board and had my handy husband screw it right to the wall. We mounted two bars, and loading them up with these punches I was able to empty out two of my "skinny" drawers. I'm so happy!!! :)

Isn't it awesome? Here's a closer look:

Scrapbooking With Faux Silk

Happy Friday friends! My stampers club members are coming over tonight to make the two cards I shared with you yesterday, and now that I've posted today's sketch on SplitcoastStampers I can reveal the 3rd project.

This 8.5x8.5" scrapbook page based on the sketch above. I kinda cheated with the photo I slapped on. You can click on the picture to see a larger version if you like. It's my daughter hanging on the head/horns of a Texas longhorn statue. LOL I had another photo in mind originally, but couldn't find a print of it...I will probably switch it out and add journaling in the white space this weekend. :)

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Bliss*
PAPER - Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso

INK - Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Early Espresso (Markers - Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie)

OTHER - Orange Ribbon, Tissue Paper, Key Tag Punch**

*Only available FREE in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog
**Retired (oops)

I'll be showing them the Faux Silk technique which is the piece under the photo stamped with flourishes. It's such a pretty technique, and WAY easy to do! Here's a closer look:

All you need is a good stamp, tissue paper and a glue stick!

• Cut a piece of card stock to the size you want 
• Cut a piece of tissue paper and leave it slightly larger than the card stock
• Stamp all over the tissue paper
• Crumple it up 
• Smear the glue stick all over your card stock piece 
• Smooth the tissue paper over it
• Trim off the excess tissue paper
• Step back and admire your awesomeness!

Try it with different colors, it's so easy! You can also stamp directly on the card stock before you layer the tissue paper...the image underneath ends up much softer, but you'll want to stick with a light color for the bottom card stock piece so it is still visible.

Wanna see more pages created with this sketch? Click this link:
SBSC274 Gallery

Mini Catalog Creations

Have you seen the Occasions Mini Catalog yet? I decided to use a couple of the new stamp sets featured to create these cards for my next club meeting. Also, you should know that the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog is also in full swing. For every $50 spent you can choose a SAB freebie!

This is a fun birthday card using the new Take a Spin stamp set and the little Game Spinner Hands to make it functional. Too fun!!!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Take a Spin
PAPER - Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Celebrations DSP

INK - Marina Mist

OTHER - 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Game Spinner Hands


This one is my fav! I love the color combo and I think using the rock-n-roll technique for the flower petals was pure genius, yay me! lol

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Build a Blossom, Word Play
PAPER - Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, In Color DSP (Hostess level 1)

INK - Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight

OTHER - Blossom Petals Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Framed Tulips Textured Impression Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Crafty Kids

The first week of February we were hit with an INSANE winter storm that had our whole family banished to the house for FOUR DAYS!!! There was no school, and Gabe and I stayed home from work!
We really enjoyed ourselves the first couple of days, but cabin fever struck and we were tired of TV, tired of board games, tired of everything...but then, AH HA! Why not get ready for the inevitable school V-Day party!? So I covered cereal boxes with paper tied on the ribbon, and the girls finished them out with punched hearts and some stamping! They are always ready to create!!!

I snapped these pictures before I took them to school...guess I should have taken a few, Nat's eyes are closed. *sigh* But I wanted to hurry since Sydney had wet hair.

We started the valentines too, but only Natalie's got completed in time for delivery to school today. Sydney will work on hers over the weekend and get them ready for Monday. The design is the same for both girls, but Sydney chose a blue paper for hers.

All I did was cut 12x12 DSP down to 4x4. Then folded the sides in and the bottom up to overlap it just enough for the punched label. I so love my Eat Chocolate stamp set!!!

Happy Valentine's Day my crafty friends!

Cold Cards

The card above was one of the projects we did at club last month. I realized yesterday that I'd never photographed it, so I took this photo on my patio in the snow! haha

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - XOXO
PAPER - Whisper White, Real Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Red Glimmer Paper

INK - Real Red, Early Espresso

OTHER - Chipboard Frame (Mix & Match On Board), Satin Ribbon, Bitty Buttons, Red Thread


This next card is a copy cat card, or as we say, "I CASEd it."  CASE stands for copy and share everything!

I did my own version of a card from the last promotional flyer (image on right). I thought it was pretty cute and I would have made it exactly the same if I'd had the green ribbon they used.  This was the project for my first "Cards and Coffee" workshop, which was also last month. I plan to be doing these workshops on a more regular basis...I'll be posting more about that soon! ;)

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Filled With Love
PAPER - Whisper White, Pink Pirouette,Love Patterns DSP

INK - Real Red, Pear Pizzazz

OTHER - Scallop Border Punch, Bitty Buttons, Linen Thread, Green Grosgrain Ribbon


I'm so sorry if you missed this promotion, the DSP (item 124156 $9.95 for 12 double sided sheets) and buttons (item 118761 $4.95) are still available for purchase and the stamp set is available as a digital download (item 123995 $5.95), but I guess the ship has sailed when it comes to the actual stamp set. But maybe it will show up in the new catalog this Summer!

Stampy News Update

After I returned home from Leadership I went through a couple of weeks of horrible back pain. couldn't stand upright if I sat too long, and was pretty much useless when I wasn't laying down.
I found out I have scoliosis in my lower back, but my awesome doctor has been adjusting my spine regularly since. I'm pretty much pain free now allowing me to sit at the computer again for more extended lengths of time...so please forgive me for not posting more fun things to share sooner and get ready for multiple posts today!