Happy New Year!!

First, let me say that I have NO IDEA how anyone has time to stamp during the holidays!! (Except, of course, for all those "have-to-do" projects like Christmas cards and/or neighbor gifts and such!). I have had virtually NO TIME to do any stamping for fun until this morning (and BOY did I make a MESS in my craft room!!).

All I have to add this week are a couple of butterfly cards that I did for my own personal "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. Check the link for "Follow the Butterflies" on the sidebar of my blog for more details.

This card is not associated with any SCS challenge, but I DID use my first non-Nestabilities Spellbinders dies, and my FIRST Spellbinders stamps for the butterflies. (This is a good thing, since I am now on the 2008 Spellbinders Design Team!) They have a lot of great dies and stamps, which I hope to be sharing with you a TON over the next year. I versamarked the vellum butterflies and then used Irisdescent Ice embossing powder, as I also did on the shimmery white butterfly.

Stamps: Holidays & Wishes, So Swirly wheel, Butterflies (Spellbinders)
Paper: Night of Navy, Shimmery White, Bashful Blue, Vellum
Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Versamark

I did this card as part of SCS155 (sketch challenge) and WT145 (to use some sort of wrapping paper or wrapping item on your card - in this case I used some silver wrapping paper and embossed it with my Cuttlebug "snowflakes" embossing folder). I think my brain is being taxed to the limit in making "wintery" butterfly cards! And to think I have to make a whole bunch more NEXT winter!!

Stamps: Stipple Celebrations, Canvas, Take a Bough (Papertrey)
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Silver foil wrapping paper
Ink: White craft, Going Gray, Basic Gray

I don't have a lot more to add this week, except to wish everyone the happiest and healthiest of new years for 2008.

Happy Holidays!

Why is it that, as stampers, we sometimes have NO time to stamp??? With the holiday season nearing its zenith, I feel like I'm running around with my tail on fire! I'm nearly done shopping (only need a few stocking stuffers), my packages have been mailed and my Christmas cards are done (yay!), so I am now switching gears to neighbor gifts and the dreaded wrapping fest (which I have to admit I probably won't get to until the 22nd or 23rd - after everyone is in bed!).

I finally got my Christmas cards done, but I have to laugh at myself. I designed and made about four of what I had chosen to do for my card around the first part of October (it is posted on here back then - Holy Triptych card). Anyway, after staring at it for over two months I was pretty bored with it. I had all the cardstock and ribbon and everything! Sooooo, when I sat down to start my cards last Saturday, I made something TOTALLY different. Instead of a 3x6 trifold, I made a 5.25" x 5.25" square. Instead of Holy Triptych, I made a wreath with stamps from Peaceful Wishes and Pines.

A few things on this one - I trace a circle lightly with a pencil (used one of the "rings" from my CM circle cutter and made a 4" circle). Then, I stamped around the circle with the stamp that kind of looks like mistletoe from "Peaceful WIshes" all around the circle using Bordering Blue (my Going Gray was getting weak, and I don't seem to have a refill!). Next, I stamped the pine image from "Pines" using Basic Gray. I stamped that same image around the circle a second time, this time using a silver Encore pad. Finally, I stamped the berries with another stamp from "Peaceful Wishes". Next, I used some Crystal Ice Stickles on the berries and some White Opal liquid pearls to accent the pine images that were stamped in the Basic Gray only. It's hard to see in the photo, but the white paper is actually kind of pearly (think brushed gold or brushed silver paper, only in white). I also used stickles on the "joy" sentiment, as I was too lasy to do dazzling diamonds with a versamark and iridescent ice glitter - the is the first card I have done in years that didn't require an embossing dryer! Hooray!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Pines, Small Script
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Pearly White (I didn't have enough SU shimmery white, so I found this at a local paper store)
Ink: Going Gray, Bordering Blue, Silver Encore, Purely Pomegranate

And here is my weekly butterfly card. I have been really good about keeping up on these. I think this is number #16 (which means I only have 88 more to go!). It's a good thing my son doesn't mind getting "girlie" butterfly cards!! Here is a link to my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge if you would like the details:



http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/656043?cat=500&ppuser=79179 (for some dumb reason the "link" button isn't working - I'll keep trying to fix it, but you'll just have to copy and paste the address, or go to my previous post if you want the details!)

My dear friend, Karen (imastampin on SCS) sent me these beautiful "Ageless Adornment" butterflies in my "elf" package (for those of you unfamiliar - there was a little "game" going around on SCS a few weeks ago where someone "elfed" you - promised to send you a little package - where you "elfed" two new people in return). I used the image stamped and embossed in gold on shimmery white paper. All other cardstock is either brushed gold or vanilla. I was thinking of doing something wintery and these lovely butterflies showed up (along with some other fun goodies! Thanks, Karen!) This also happened to fit WT144 on SCS, where the challenge was to make a monochromatic card - weird how I made this the very day the challenge was posted when I hadn't even seen it yet!

Stamps: Ageless Adornment, Wishing You
Cardstock: Brushed Gold, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla

I hope all of you have the most joyous of holiday seasons, and that the love of friends and family warm your hearts and souls this season. Thanks for visiting my blog and giving me encouragement. You have lifted my spirits and given me confidence in more ways than you all know. Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year as well (but I DO plan to be back before we hit January 1). Hugs to all!

A Truly Charlie Brown Christmas!

If I hadn't been here to see this with my very own eyeballs, I never would have believed it! I was feeling pretty good about myself, as I was able to get my Christmas tree up and all my decorating done the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The reason behind all of this was that I was going out of town to visit some of my friends/family in Phoenix (not to mention Spellbinders' Headquarters - which was in the process of moving. For those of you don't remember, I was recently selected to be on Spellbinders' Designer Team for 2008 - but I digress . . .) Anyway, I came home last Sunday night (December 2) exhausted, with a touch of a cold/flu thing that I picked up while I was there. (This first picture is my tree BEFORE I removed any of the ornaments/lights . . . keep reading.)

When I walked in my back door, my first thought was, "What in the HECK have they been cooking in here???" It was kind of a sickly sweet smell. After I had been home for a while, my husband informed me that we had a problem with the tree - it was dropping needles. Well, DUH! Isn't that what Christmas trees do??? He assured me that I needed to see it for myself. Holy cow! He wasn't kidding. You know what it is like when you run your finger across a dusty surface and you push the dust as you go? That is what the needles were like on the tree. Almost as if they were abandoning ship. This is where my husband admitted to me that the problem had actually begun the previous Tuesday, one day before I was scheduled to leave, and only four days after we got the tree. What??? He didn't want to stress me out (which, I'll have to admit, was nice of him).

I decided, as exhausted as I was and as crummy as I felt, that the tree HAD to come down. The tree lot where we have been purchasing our trees for YEARS has a policy that it will replace any tree you are not satisfied with (like, I wonder how often THAT happens . . . not many people would be willing to undecorate and then redecorate their tree!). I got up at 5:00 a.m. last Monday morning to begin the nasty process of removing all the decorations and lights. UNBELIEVABLE. It was like rain . . . needles falling off by the hundreds . . . thousands!! If I hadn't seen it for myself, I would NEVER have believed it. The weird thing was, the tree wasn't even dry! It was actually still drinking water, and the needles weren't even brittle!

Then, my husband picked it up to take it to the car. I am surprised that I could even laugh at this point, but it was sooo absurd. You could hear the needles just POURING off the tree as he carried it to the car. He tapped it on the ground, which was pretty much the death knell . . . we were both laughing so hard as he was tying this poor bundle of twigs atop our car. You would not BELIEVE the looks I was getting as I drove around town with this sad tree on top of my car (it made Charlie Brown's tree look like it belonged in Rockefeller Plaza!).

As I pulled into the parking lot at the tree place, my car was almost ATTACKED by three of the guys who worked there. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. The first thing one of them said to me was, "WHAT HAPPENED????" I told him that he was supposed to tell ME! They were surprised at how springy it was, and that the few remaining needles (and I do mean FEW) were still green. One of the guys broke open a branch and showed the others that it was still sappy inside! Weird! They couldn't get that tree off of my car fast enough!! (After all, I wasn't the only one there, and it was NOT good advertising!!) I practically had to tackle the kid that was disposing of the tree so that he would stop for a photo - this one!). The only good part about all of this is that they replaced it with a very lovely $70 tree (which was more than I wanted to spend, so that was fun!). I told them about the smell, too. It was kind of like rotten bananas. They were going to break off a couple of the branches and send them to a lab to be analyzed, as they admitted that in all the years they had been farming trees, they had NEVER seen one do this.

Needless to say, between my trip to Phoenix, my cold/flu thing and my Charlie Brown Tree Adventure, I haven't stamped much, but I DO have a few things to share (and if that wasn't the longest intro you have ever seen to the projects on someone's blog, I don't know what is!).

I made this card as part of my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge I started at the end of August. I'm really glad that butterflies are so popular, as I have been finding A LOT of butterfly images - many of which I didn't realize I had - plus many of my stampin' friends have sent me some, so it's been fun. My mind may change as I get farther into this, as there will be 104 cards total! Here's a link for more details:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/656043?cat=500&ppuser=79179

I did this at about 12:30 a.m. after I had arrived at my friend Melissa's house on Wednesday the 28th (Hey, Mel!) I was tired, but was able to whip this out rather quickly. It was done as part of one of the Challenge Chasers challenges on SCS (STSC06). Mel had "Just Like You", which I DON'T have, so that made it fun. She also had some of this great ribbon (it comes in one of those very expensive packages that SU sells with a combo of ribbons - you know the ones I mean - the ones I swore I would NEVER buy or use??? - the ones I will now probably have to GET??). I just used some markers to color the "grass" and flowers, then I "rock and rolled" the butterfly. It worked up really quickly, and I actually USED one of those cute little binder clips.

Stamps: Just Like You, On the Spot
Paper: Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, So Saffron

This card I made for a shoebox exchange I was doing with a bunch of my SCS friends while I was in Phoenix (hi girls!!). It was kind of intimidating meeting so many fun people I had only "seen" online, but they were a hoot (and it was raining cats and dogs!!). I love the "Big On Christmas" set. It is really fun. I used my white gel pen to "faux stitch" the edges and to color the holly on the snowman's hat, as well as to fill in the word "SNOW". The holly itself was colored a bit with a Garden Green marker. I only embossed the largest snowflakes with white ep, while I stamped the other snowflakes after the embossing was done. I love the two-tone white effect. I also used some Stickles on the snowflakes I punched out (Emaginations), and on the "let it" part of the sentiment.

Stamps: Big On Christmas, Snowflake Spot
Paper: Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Whisper White, Black Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green

Here is card #14 for my "Butterfly" challenge. My son keeps getting all these "girlie" butterfly cards. He says he really looks forward to getting them, though, so that makes me smile! I was trying and trying to figure out how to make a wintery butterfly card. I just got some of the Wintergreen Designer Series paper from SU (which is AWESOME), so I started there. You can't see it in the photo, but the butterfly is embossed and sprinkled with Iridescent Ice. The little snowflakes (a very old Marvy punch) have a little bit of Stickles on them, so they are sparkly, too! I did this in conjunction with SC153 on SCS. I also really enjoy "hanging" tags with hodgepodge hardware. It adds a fun touch, I think.

Stamps: Butterfly (Stampendous), Small Sayings, Snow Flurries
Paper: Always Artichoke, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Wintergreen dsp
Ink: Always Artichoke

Please pray for my new tree, as I absolutely REFUSE to decorate one more tree this year!!

Whirlwind Holiday Season Has Begun!

Has it really been 11 days since I've logged in here? Sheesh! It looks like the holiday season has hit full force! (And, yes, I was one of THOSE crazy people who were out shopping at 5:00 a.m. on Black Friday aka the day after Thanksgiving!) I'm happy to report that I actually have ALL of my Christmas decorations up (including the lights on my house, thanks to my dh, Ron)! With such a busy schedule, however, I have only stamped a grand total of, yes - count 'em, THREE cards in the last two weeks! YIKES!

The first one is for my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see the link below - scroll down to Saturday, September 1, 2007). I really had fun with this one. The butterfly was an image sent to me by my friend Christine in California (chrisations.ink on SCS). She stamped it in black craft ink on some lovely shimmery white cardstock, then embossed it with clear embossing powder. It was very pretty!

Follow the Butterflies Challenge

I decided to "cut and color" this one. I used (once again) my plain ol' non-Copic SU markers. I then put my SU Creepy Crawly dsp to the test . . . I think it looks really great with this ol' butterfly, and it doesn't look Halloween-y to me at all (at least in this example!). This was all for SCS Sketch Challenge 150 (SC150).

Stamps: Butterfly image (unknown), Dotted Autumn
Cardstock: Basic Black, More Mustard, So Saffron, Shimmery White, Creepy Crawly dsp
Ink: Black Stazon, Black Craft, Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie

Next, I made this card for FS41 (Shelly, aka papermoon04 was the Featured Stamper). Here is her card (the one I "case'd):

Shelly's Card

I loved her idea for just using a marker around the edges of the diamonds in the Print Pattern background stamp. It gives it a neat effect. I then stamped the French Script bg directly over it. I also got to play with some of my papertreyink stamps (in this case, the snowflake and "joy" sentiment for "Snowflake Serenade). And I am totally loving the rhinestone stickers from Me and My Big Ideas! They are soo fun to add that little bit of "bling" that some projects need!

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade (Papertrey), Print Pattern, French Script
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Baroque Burgundy, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy

I just realized that all three of these cards ended up in the mail to my son, Devan (who is in Germany)!! How funny! I sent the two butterfly cards, as they are my weekly "note from home" to him, and the snowflake one went in his Christmas package! Good stamping week for HIM! I was not feeling very inspired on this card at all. I guess I was just stressing about getting it in the mail. Sigh . . . some days are like that!! I am finally feeling justified in switching to more "wintery" color schemes, though. The main butterflies were stamped with Papertrey's "Butterfly Kisses" stamp set. I used "All in a Row" for the sentiment. I also used some of the vintage violet cardstock from SU's In Color line from LAST year (I DO like that color - wish it were still available!).

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey), Simply Stripes bg, All in a Row
Cardstock: Bordering Blue, Vintage Violet, Whisper White
Ink: Bordering Blue, Vintage Violet, Basic Black

I hope to be able to get to play more in the next couple of weeks, but I also know that I have a PILE of Christmas cards staring at me and wanting to get done! I'll be back soon! :)

Spellbinders Shock!

I still can't believe I actually got chosen to be on the 2008 Spellbinders Design Team. This is going to be SUCH a blast! I promised I would post what I had submitted, so here goes:

First off, let me explain that we were asked to submit one 12x12 scrapbook page, one card, one 3d item and one stamped project. I only cheated a little. The only thing I used that i had already made was this tin (which I posted on my blog earlier). I totally LOVE the Apple Cider paper. I am only reposting it to make it easier or everyone to see without having to go to a link. So if this looks very familiar to you, now you know why.

Stamps: True Friend, All Holidays
Paper: Apple Cider dsp, Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (craft), Really Rust

Okay, so this is going to be the part where I am really stretched, creatively, during 2008. I have done scrapbooks for years, but all of my scrapbooks are 8 1/2" x 11", not 12"x12". Totally new canvas for me! My kids will actually have a fun scrapbook at the end of the year, though. I have always loved these pictures of my kids. It was overcast that day, so the lighting was terrific. I stewed and stewed over this layout . . . I worried about it being too busy. I am a "balance" freak, so I hate to leave unbalanced empty space. Don't get me wrong, I USE empty space all the time, this page just didn't work out that way. I DID get to use my Cricut (which I LOVE) on this one, though. I can't wait to get all the new fun dies I will get to use in the Spellbinders Wizard (but, not 'til January . . . just gotta be patient!) I also incorporated some punches, so I was embellishing all over the place.

Paper: Night of Navy, Garden Green, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Cricut Cartridges: Walk in My Garden, Opposites Attract
Punches: Jumbo Daisy and Small Daisy - Marvy

This card was hard for me to choose. Not knowing what they were looking for, I decided to do something heavier on embossing/ punching (because punches, after all, ARE diecuts, right??) We were also allowed so submit a link to any online gallery we currently had, which was GREAT for me, since I have one with over 200 photos in it on Splitcoast! I figured if they used the link, they would get a good feel for my cards, so that was covered at least.

Stamps: Cold Play
Paper: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stickles, SU Snow Blossom Punch, Small Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Large Snowflake Punch (Emaginations), Cuttlebug Sledding embossing folder

This is the project that I struggled with the most. You know how you visualize one thing, and something totally different emerges from the rubble? That is how I would describe this project. I totally wanted to use one of their products, and since the only thing I own at the moment is the rectangle Nestabilities, I knew I wanted to use those. I must have changed stamp sets at least 47 times!! Then, I changed the color scheme a bunch. I used a zillion stamps in the end, and I like how it turned out, but it took me much longer than I had anticipated because I couldn't get the picture in my head onto the paper on my table!!

Stamps: Watercolor Garden, Garden Whimsy, Stem Silhouettes, Snowflake Spot, Autumn Leaf Prints, Dotted Autumn, Season by Season
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, SU Keytag Punch, assorted ribbon and buttons, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Paper Piercing Tool

So there you have it!! I'm still feeling kind of amazed. I look forward to the opportunities ahead, and can't WAIT to share what I learn with all of you! Have a wonderful day (it'll take me a while to come down!!)

Pinch Me, Pinch Me, Pinch Me!!

Oh my goodness!! I just can't believe it!! I got a call on Tuesday morning from Stacey Caron, co-founder and President of Spellbinders Paper Arts Company telling me that I had been selected as a member of their 2008 Design Team!! I just can't believe it (I think I said that already!!)

Here is the list of the amazing women I get to work with over the next year:

The Spellbinders' 2008 Design Team~

Beth Pingry, Naperville, Illinois
Cathy Chlebana, Chicago, Illinois
Donya Schroeder, Ionia, Iowa
Heidi Blankenship, Albert Lea, Minnesota
Holly Craft, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Jeni Caulkins, Mesa, Arizona
Jennifer Ellefson, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Linda Duke, Tulare, California
Michelle Klomp, Oak Harbor, Washington
Sally Lynn MacDonald, Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Sharon Harnist, Grand Prairie, Texas
Wendy Weixler, Salt Lake City, Utah (ME!!!!)

For more information, check out the link HERE.

I'll post pictures of what I submitted sometime tomorrow (oh wait!! That would be later TODAY!!). I'm totally jazzed!! Stay tuned for some fun and exciting projects made with wonderfully-awesome Spellbinders toys!!

Slow Stampin' Week

This has been one of those weeks where I have had to wear more than my share of hats . . . mom hat, PTA hat, workin' hat . . . and the hat that has had to be on the shelf is my stampin' hat!! I was heavily involved in the musical at my daughter Amelia's middle school AND in the A'Cappella fundraiser dinner/auction for my son Garrett's high school. Glad that those are behind me! I also had to have a root canal yesterday, so you can see that there has been little time to stamp . . .

BUT, I was able to complete three cards to post. This first one was, of course, part of my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. Here's a link if you want to see details on THAT:

Follow the Butterflies Challenge

I was sooo stumped on this card for some reason. It sat for nearly a day, uncompleted, 'til I could figure out what to do with it. The two large butterflies were sent to me all the way from my friend Anna in Australia. She heard about what I was doing and sent MANY wonderful images. I'm glad I have been able to use some of them. They were stamped in a color that looked like Close to Cocoa - I just sponged them with Bordering Blue and So Saffron to make them match. This card was done in conjunction with SCS challenges TLC141 (to make a horizontal pocket cards and WT139 (to incorporate some velvet). The only velvet thing I own right now is this fun brown ribbon, so that is what I used!

Stamps: Take Three, Large butterflies (unknown), Polka Dot bg, All in a Row, Totally Tabs
Paper: ordering Blue, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana
Ink: Chocolate Chip craft, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Bordering Blue

I also used both the spiral punch and round tab punch.

Card #2 was for SCS FS40 (Featured Stamper - StampOwl - aka Frances). I love the fun things that Frances comes up with. Here is her card that I used as inspiration:

Frances' Card

I LOVE that PaperTrey set (Beautiful Blossoms). I even OWN it, although I haven't used it yet. I didn't want to copy her exactly, so I opted for a more fall approach. I really like this non-traditional fall color combo, too (thanks to my friend, Cheryl!). I used it a couple of weeks ago on my little peek-a-boo box, too! Now I have a card and a treat to go together!!

Stamps: Autumn Fest, Autumn Leaf Prints, Dotted Autumn, Fundamental Phrases, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, River Rock
Ink: lue Bayou, Old Olive, River Rock, Chocolate Chip

Since I hadn't watercolored anything of significance for what seemed like forever, I decided to play with my blender pens/reinkers. I also used my Aqua Painter a bit, too! Oh yeah, and I can't forget that I colored some of the backgrounds with my plain ol' non-Copic SU markers.

Stamps: Thoroughly Thankful
Paper: Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Watercolor paper
Ink: Black Stazon, So Saffron, Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue

I want to get busy and makes some new things to post! Maybe I'll have a little time later today . . .

50 Days & Counting!

Okay, I probably could have gone another week or two an NOT heard that! My friend called me today and reminded me that Christmas is a mere 50 days away! ZOINKS!! Where in the world did this year go??

I have had a rather busy week myself, with not nearly as much time to play and stamp as I would have liked! We spent all day Saturday pressing apple juice (a tradition my husband's family has been doing since he was a little boy), and then I spent all of the rest of my spare time this weekend sewing PIRATE shirts for my daughter's school production of "The Pirates of Penzance". I had to make four of those buggers! Sooooo glad to have that done! But, I digress . . .

I am up to my 10th card in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge! I can already tell that making 104 distinctly different cards featuring butterflies is going to be tough! I really like how this one turned out, though. I made this in conjunction with SC148. I soooo love the Apple Cider designer series paper! It's awesome! There is really not very much stamping on this, either. I "rocked & rolled" the butterflies in Really Rust and Chocolate Chip. I also like doing the "hang the medallion" thing, too! I always think it adds such a fun touch to any card!

Stamps: Dotted Autumn (wheel), All Through the Year, Fancy Flexible Phrases
Cardstock/Paper: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Apple Cider dsp
Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip

There are a group of us over on SCS known as the Challenge Chasers (or "stalkers"). Why, you ask? 'Cause we stalk the daily challenges! We have a thread where we chat while we wait for the challenge of the day to be posted. (We also chat throughout the day as time permits as well!) One day a couple of weeks ago the challenge was taking a little longer to be posted than we were patient enough to wait for, so we decided to make our own challenges. This card is for one of those challenges (which can be located at the bottom of the Challenge thread, here):

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40

This was for STEE02 (Stalker's Everyday Events Challenge). We had to make an ATC sized card as a "just because" card to brighten someone's day. I made a couple of these to put in my kids' lunches. I definitely had to use the stamp-a-ma-jig to line up all those little x's and o's!!

Stamps: Typeset Alphabet Lower, Short and Sweet
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Really Red
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

The only other card I got to make for "fun" was this one. This was for LSC142 - to make a easily-reproducable card for Christmas that wouldn't require extra postage to send!! This would probably not be too bad to duplicate, although you are bound to get sick of anything where you make more than 5 duplicates! This designer paper for this is from the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit. This paper is sooooo great! I have never been as "into" the patterned papers for cards as I have been this year. I LOVE 'em all!!

Stamps: Snowburst, Short and Sweet (twice this week!!)
Cardstock/Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red (textured), Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Winter Bright dsp
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Real Red

I better get busy with my Christmas cards!! I'm NEVER going to get them done if there are only 50 days left 'til Christmas unless I started whippin' 'em out TODAY!!

Back in Business!

Got my Mac back today (hooray!!). I had a problem with the battery . . . there was a bad cell in it or something. Anyway, all is well now, so I can post again. Not quite sure how I got stuck in the "Asian Language" loop, either. I kept changing it back to English, but it wouldn't stick for some reason. It's all good now, though.

First off, I made this fun little box as part of TLC139 on SCS - the template for it can be found here:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289773

The colors and stamps for this were inspired by a great little card and nugget box created by my friend, Cheryl. Blue Bayou, River Rock, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip make a great combination. And who WOULD'NT love to receive a little gift with candy inside (especially when it is chocolate???)????

Stamps: Autumn Fest, So Swirly (Jumbo Wheel)
Cardstock: Blue Bayou, Whisper White
Ink: Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, River Rock

Okay, so I am getting a little weird with my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. For details on THAT, see my post here:

http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

(Scroll down to the post dated September 1, 2007.) I kept wracking my brain all month to try and figure out HOW I was going to incorporate a butterfly into a Halloween card. My new, fun friend, Anna (annablue on SCS) sent me some butterfly images right after Devan left on his mission. The one I used in this card is a great Penny Black image that she sent me. I got a little silly and put poor Drac's head on the butterfly! Devan will appreciate it, though (I know it will at least put a smile on his face!) I also realized that I don't own one single number stamp set (a horror that I have since rectified), so I had to create the 8 using two "o's" from the Whimsical Alpha.

Stamps: "Wings" (Penny Black), Best Fiends, Sanded bg, Whimsical Alphabet, Simple Serif Alphabet
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Black Stazon, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky, Going Gray, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink

I had a day last week where I just played hooky from everything all morning and did three challenges. It was really fun. This pumpkin card was made for WT137 - a challenge to use masking in your creation. I masked the pumpkins and did a little bit of the "rock 'n roll" technique to give the pumpkins a "two-tone" appearance . . . I used So Saffron with Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Pie with Real Rust to create the pumpkins. I also pulled out my spritzer tool, which I just got a couple of months ago. I really like playing with it, and I'm amazed when it does what it does every single time! I also used the jumbo "So Swirly" wheel to create the image on the background (Old Olive) piece. My dd, Amelia, had the sewing machine out to work on a project for her Home Ec class (although it is called something much more high tech now - FACS - Family and Consumer Sciences). I decided to play with that as well, since I haven't done any real sewing on my cards for quite some time.

Stamps: Carved and Candlelit, Fundamental Phrases, So Swirly (Jumbo Wheel)
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Really Rust

Next, I completed a card I started almost a year ago. Right after the Cuttlebug came out, 11Valerie11 posted a card she had done on SCS using some copper metal sheeting. Having just completed my craft room (which included a magnet board I placed under the cabinetry on one of the walls), I had a little bit of metal "flashing" left over. I wanted to see if it would work in the CB, and it DID! I have had that piece of Cuttle-bugged flashing ever since (covered in snowflakes!!). I finally made a card with it, and this is what I came up with. The layout was one that was posted for SC147.

I used a punch I had just purchased from Creative Memories. It is actually a two-in-one punch, but I used both ends of it to make the snowflake and the swirly thing next to it. What can I say, I LOVE punches!!

Stamps: Snowburst, Fundamental Phrases
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Whisper White (plus some metal flashing I purchased at Roberts)
Ink: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Punches: Snowflake (Emaginations, I think); Snowflake and Swirl - Creative Memories

The third card I did on my morning "off" was this one . . . not sure WHAT I think of it. A few of us challenge stalkers (or Challenge Chasers, as we are commonly known on SCS), got kinda bored waiting for one of the challenges to be posted last week, so Barb (aka Babsnelson) posted a sketch challenge just for us (we called it SCSC01 for Stalkers/Chasers Sketch Challenge or something like that!!). I am not loving this card, but I really wanted to use the Fiskars circle border punch I got a while back. The sewing machine was still out, so I stitched a little on my card (again).

Stamps: Serene Sunflower, Fundamental Phrases
Cardstock: More Mustard, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip

On to the next! I made this card for the Featured Stamper challenge last Sunday (FS38). The featured stamper was nitestamper (aka Chat). I LOVE her gallery! I seem to be drawn to her cards quite often. They are amazing. I decided to try and "case" this darling "Cinderella" coach card:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=10116

I didn't have any pumpkin images that were large enough, so I created my pumpkin using some 2" circles I cut out using my CM circle cutter (LOVE this thing as well!!). The center section of the pumpkin was a circle I "tweaked" into an oval. I used iridescent ice ep on the coaches' wheels, as well as on the sentiment. The rhinestone stickers are made by Me & My Big Ideas.

Stamps: Wanted, Baroque Motifs, Gorgeous Grapevine (just for the twirly piece of vine at the top of the pumpkin), Stem Sayings, In the Spotlight (wheels)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (classic and craft), Old Oiive, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie (sponged on the pumpkin)

One more . . . I made this card yesterday (10/29/07) for TLC140. I don't really love it, but it was one of those cards that you visualize one way, and it comes out totally a different way! The technique was to use "cracked glass" - created when you do three layers of Versamark covered with heat-set Glassy Glaze (or UTEE - Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel). Once all three layers are done, you put the image in the freezer for a couple of minutes. As soon as you remove it from the freezer, you "crack" the paper by bending it. I originally did the brayered background piece, and then sponged it with some black to try and make the cracks show up . . . no good. It looked all dark and muddy. So I did it a second time and cheated a bit . . . I stamped my brayered piece with the Sanded bg stamp BEFORE I started making my embossed layers for the cracked glass technique (which I did do, only you can't see it in the picture). I brayered several colors, one on top of the other, to get the bg - Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Lovely Lilac and Brilliant Blue.

The spiders are made using a Martha Stewart punch covered with ultrafine black glitter (even though I SWORE I would never buy any of her stuff at Michael's - I caved when they finally let us use coupons on it!) The ghost is an Emaginations punch, Versamarked and covered with Irisdescent Ice ep

Stamps: Bitty Boos, Too, Sanded bg, All Holidays
Cardstock: Basic Black, Glossy White, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Ink: Basic Black, Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White craft

Glad to be up and running again. I am hoping that I can get this battery to last (if not, I guess Apple will have to replace it for me again - but I doubt we will have to go there!). Have a wonderful day!

Bummer for Me!

I can't post any new pix on my site 'til tomorrow night 'cause my Mac crashed and that is where all my new pictures are stored! Dang it! No worries, though, as it was only a problem with the battery, so it should be good as new. The other problem I am having is that, when I log onto blogpost, all of my options are in Japanese!! (It could be Chinese or Taiwanese . . . not sure since I can't read ANY of it!!) I was able to limp my way through this post 'cause I kinda remember where all the buttons are! Wish me luck as I try to sort through changing the language back, and stay tuned as I plan to post new pictures by Tuesday.

Have a great day!!!

Big, Black Hole!

Okay, I didn't REALLY sink into the "big, black hole," but I HAVE been running like a crazy person for the last couple of weeks and have sadly neglected my blog, so I am here to remedy that! I HAVE also been stamping (when I get the chance, which is not nearly as often as I would like).

BOO!!! Halloween is my most FAVORITE holiday. (And how can I RESIST making a card with a WITCH on it???) I made this card as an inspiration from Michelle (aka Zindorf on SCS - one of the newest Dirty Dozen girls). That girl can do some mind-boggling things with her brayer! I made my best attempt to make a lovely brayered background a-la Michelle. Mine doesn't look quite as cool as hers, but I think it came out okay. I used Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Really Rust, Orchid Opulence and Brilliant Blue, I started at the bottom with the Barely Banana, and kept brayering until I got to the Brilliant Blue at the top (which actually looks almost black). I may just have to e-mai that girl to get a few pointers!! My witchy was colored using my plain ol' non-Copic SU markers (again!! - I am really falling in love with them all over!!). I created the "web" using some black twine. This was done for SC145.

Can I just tell you that Paper Trey Ink rocks??? I think their stamps are AWESOME! I made this card for my daughter's friend, Emma, for her 14th birthday yesterday. I think gatefold cards are sooo cool! I was inspired to make this 'cause my good friend Kathy (hey-howdy, girl!) just sent me the cutest gatefold card with a great marker attachment to use with my Cricut (thanks, thanks, thanks, my friend!!). To make a gatefold, cut a piece of cardstock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and score along the 8 1/2" edge at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8". Piece of Cake! (I know, I know, I'm sooo punny! - for those who don't know, this stamp set is called "Piece of Cake" - kinda sad when you have to explain your own jokes!!)

I have actually done TWO more butterfly cards for Devan since my last post. This one was done using "Tagger's Dozen" and "Fun Filled" (a set that I think it was a PITY for SU to retire). I thought it would be fun to punch the small flower images with a star - I think the kind of look like asters this way. (And I also realized, after I uploaded this, that I am on a ROLL with the Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegrante cardstock - they are fun!)

This card I made for Devan almost two weeks ago (sorry for the delay). It was for SCS's TLC137 (using acetate in your creation). I already got an e-mail from Devan stating that he didn't quite get how to "do" this card. What???? Like, duh!!! You just pull the dang tab at the top! How hard can that BE?? He is a man (well, at least almost - he IS 19, but I still think of him as my little baby!). Maybe I should send him a set of instructions with my next card and letter . . . hmmmmm . . . I also used my really cool Creative Memories circle cutter to cut the hole in the front of the card (which is a little off center, as my side fold was a little goofy! Shhhh! Don't tell anyone!!) I don't have a lot of things that are non-SU products, but the cutting system from CM is really quick and easy! Love it!

For instructions on how to create a "magic" card like this one, see Beate's TERRIFIC tutorial here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/magiccard.php. These cards are kind of time consuming, but I think they are worth the effort. Lining up the images with the stamp-a-ma-jig is a little tricky, but not impossible. You will DEFINITELY get a "WOW" from whomever you give them to (unless, of course, they go to your 19-year-old son, who can't figure out how to "do" this kind of card!!)!! Patience is the key to making one of these dudes. Don't be afraid to try one, and stick with it, as the end result makes you feel pretty cool (I am speaking from experience - I felt a bit challenged the first time I made one of these guys - but I finally figured it out). Funny how the learning curve on some things is trickier for some people than it is for others!! I have confidence that you guys will probably breeze through this JUST to make me look bad!!

My dear, sweet, wonderful friend, Annette Kramer, died after a 5-year battle with breast cancer 10 years ago. I think of her often and can't believe that it has been ten years already. We were best friends from the time I moved to SLC at the age of 15 (she lived next door). She has been such an inspiration to me. As this is breast cancer awareness month, and as the color challenge this past week (CC136) was to use pink to create something to commemorate breast cancer awareness, I made this in honor of my friend (I actually ran over to the store at 6:00 a.m. to buy up some pink Jelly Bellies!). I kind of cased myself from the "Hugs & Kisses" tin I did LAST month. These are fun AND easy. The designer paper is from Rob & Bob by Provo Craft. Not sure where I got the pink grosgrain ribbon with the brown polka dots (maybe Roberts??). I thought it was too fun to pass up for this project.

Okay, hang with me, friends, I am getting there, and I have to admit I MUST BE CERTIFIABLY CRAZY!! I am going to do about 60 of these babies for my Christmas card! This is actually a tri-fold that's has finished dimensions of 3 1/4" x 6 1/4". I had a bunch of these envelopes left over, so I decided to put 'em to use. (For those who are math challenged, like me, start with a piece of cardstock that is 6 1/4" x 9 3/4". Score, along the 9 3/4" edge at 3 1/4" and 6 1/2". I know this seems like a funky size (which it is), but I got the envelopes at actionenvelope.com - they are 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". I was able to punch out the "window" with a LITTLE bit of help from some of my paper punches. I used the designer label punch to help me with the top edge of the window. It wasn't a perfect fit, as I had to trim the upper corners, plus I used a 3/4" circle punch to round out the little "bump" in the top. This was very helpful, as it is really hard to cut "pretty" through two layers of cardstock at a time!! The rest of the window I had to just cut out with scissors. I used the "stained glass" technique, which is achieved by stamping the image on vellum (usually with craft ink or versamark), then embossing with some embossing powder (in this case, white). You then color the image on the BACK side of the vellum. I used my markers (once again!).

I think it helps if you mount your completed image on a lighter color of cardstock (here I used Going Gray). It helps the image "pop" off the page better. I DO need to go and get me some vellum tape, as I don't have any and I can see where I adhered the vellum to the cardstock (which kinda bugs me - okay, it REALLY bugs me!!). I guess I can't escape that type-a attribute in my personality! Never thought I would make a gray Christmas card, either, but I LOVE Basic Gray and Going Gray together - soooooo pretty! I have already made a whopping FOUR of these cards. The plan is to do a little every few days so I can spread them out; to be honest, though, I know I will be cramming these babies together during the last part of November!!

This is a tag I made for a swap I was in. I am embarrassed to admit that I actually FORGOT I was in the swap until the swap's hostess, Amanda (hey, Brat!!) p/m'd me on SCS last week and asked if I was mailing my tags soon. YIKES!! Major embarrassment . . . egg-on-my-face!!! I was up VERY late last Friday so that I could zip these little guys in the mail on Saturday. I used my Cricut, Cuttlebug AND my wonderful new Nestabilities diecuts (these suckers are DA BOMB!!). I discovered that none of the Nestabilities templates were the correct size to fit on the little tag that I had cut out with my Cricut (Tags, Bags, Boxes & More). This turned into NO PROBLEM, as after I ran the diecut through my Cuttlebug (we're talking about the scalloped Bashful Blue piece), I was able to run it through a second time by sliding it down a couple of "scallops" and re-cutting it. It came out perfectly and fit right on top of my tag! I was stoked!! The embossed background is made using the Cuttlebug "snowflakes" embossing folder. I made my own glittery flowered brads for the snowman's hat with some red craft ink and glittery embossing powder (some that I bought 100 years ago from CTMH).

And as a little teaser . . . part of the reason for my long absence is that I was making creations to submit to Spellbinders for their 2008 Design Team Call. I won't post the items here until AFTER they announce who they picked (which, I am hopeful to say, will include ME - we won't know until November 15). I am sure that TONS of talented people applied, so I won't hold my breath, but I WILL cross my fingers (and my toes and eyes!!)

I will be back SOON, as I hate to lag behind myself!!

I Can Hear You Breathing . . .

. . . okay, well maybe not literally, but I DO know you are out there 'cause my site visit numbers keep going up, but hardly anyone ever comments, so I am beginning to wonder . . . (not fishing for compliments or anything, just want to make sure that you aren't visiting my blog by accident . . . click in and think "Whoops!! This is SOOOO NOT where I meant to go!!" Just checking to make sure you are really out there!!

Another busy week has gone by and I have had the chance to play some more!! Did I ever mention that I LOVE the SCS daily challenges?? My technique has changed SOOOOO much over the past year, especially since I joined in on doing those challenges. I was helping my upline sort through some of her old "swaps" last night and we came across one of the very first (if not THE first) cards I ever swapped in her group. I kept shaking my head and thinking, "Did I really MAKE that??" I was pretty proud of it at the time, too! Just goes to show that we ALL learn and grow as we go, thanks to the help of others and their inspiration, right?

Gotta start out with a buttefly card, as I have now completed SIX cards in my personal "Butterfly Challenge". I made this as part of IC95 (for those who are wondering, "What the heck is that?" it means Inspiration Challenge #95 . . . the IC's are posted on Saturdays on SCS). I love gatefold cards. It is fun to be able to open cards in a fun and new way. Staring with a piece of cardstock that is 4.25" x 11", just score at 2.75" and 8.25" and there ya go!! (If you want to create a "vertical" card, start with a piece of cardstock that is 5.5" x 8.5" and score at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8".) I added some Stickles to the outline on the butterfly and the flowers. I kinda cased one of my old cards. Hey, at least I am giving myself credit!!

These cute pumpkins were done for TLC136 (that would be "Technique Lovers Challenge"). The object here was to remake an old card, using exactly the same cardstock colors and layers as before, but use a totally different stamp set! This was presented as a challenge because Beth, the challenge hostess, had just recently attended a shoebox swap where she had prepped everything and was ready to go, but had FORGOTTEN her stamps at home!! She had to borrow something else from the swap hostess. (Like none of us have ever done THAT before!) It was really fun. I also leaned on an old sketch challenge . . . one of my favorites . . . SC94. (A "sketch" is just a fancy word for "layout".) I have also been challenging myself to color with my SU markers. I ALMOST bought some Copic markers a few weeks ago. My ds (Garrett, who is 16 and quite the artist) was with me. As I was stewing over which two or three to buy (those buggers are over $5 a piece!!) he asked me simply, "Why do you want those? You do some great coloring and stuff with the markers and ink you already have." From the mouths of babes . . . he was RIGHT!! Plus, I would never have been satisfied until I owned all $500 worth of those babies so that I could have as much to choose from as possible! I have re-discovered my plain ol', non-Copic SU markers and am LOVING them! They work GREAT on watercolor paper. Plus, I have the whole set, so they match my cardstock beautifully and give me the creative freedom I like! 'Nuf said!

This has to be one of the most favorite cards I have ever created! I just LOVE these dang cute scarecrows! I'll have to admit, I bought this set off of eBay last winter and used one of the stamps (a snowman image) for my Christmas card. This is a very old SU set called "Great Groupings". These guys were soooo dang fun to color (again, using my new/old favorite SU markers). I created this for SC144 (that is the sketch challenge that is always posted for Wednesdays on SCS). I created the pumpkin using three 3/4" circles. It always helps to add a little bit of Bashful Blue around the edges of your image to give them a little bit of depth (which you can't see as well in this photo). That is a little trick I learned from my good friend, Kittie (aka kittie747 on SCS - Hey, girlfriend!! You rock!!). She taught me everything I know about watercoloring! If you use a blender pen and a little bit of ink from your reinker, you can really control the shading. It is fun, fun, fun!!

And . . . finally . . . this one I did yesterday for a combo challenge . . . I combined LSC136 (using limited supplies - only a sentiment stamp and a border stamp - the "dot leader" image from "In the Spotlight" - with some designer series paper to create a layout) and WT134 (the "Ways to Use It" challenge that featured twill tape). I am totally LOVING making square cards! Gives me a whole new "canvas" to work on! I embossed the sentiment and dot leaders with clear ep, as I used chocolate chip craft ink and have NO patience in waiting for it to dry! I also used craft ink on the chipboard flower, which I then covered with Irisdescent Ice ep. I miss the Au Chocolate designer series paper. Wait a minute! What am I saying??? I still have a bunch, so I don't have to miss it at all (YET!!)! Too bad it didn't make SU's big catalog . . .

Lastly, my good friend Deb (debils on SCS), tagged me with a fun little game. So, here are my responses (just gotta figure out who else to "tag" so they can play, too!):

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Rusty Highlander

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav. ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Moose Tracks Pumpkin

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) WWEI

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Green Hippo

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Marie Hayward

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Weiwe

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Magenta Fresca

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Art Wilson

9. STRIPPER NAME : ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) CK Milky Way

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Lorene Ross

Super silly, but fun, nonetheless! Have a great day!!

Tins and More Tins (& Another Butterfly)!

I was sooo excited when I found a resource for the darling tins I saw on PaperTreyInk. They were out of stock, so I went searching. I found that specialtybottle.com carries the exact same ones (and they ended up being cheaper, as I did a HUGE order with my fellow Stampin' Up friends, so I saved a TON on shipping!) This is a 6" tea tin. The "Hugs & Kisses" stamp from the "All Holidays" set just begged to be attached to a tin full of . . . what else??? Had to make a special trip to the store just to get some!! I embossed the medallion image from "True Friend" with clear embossing powder after I stamped it with Chocolate Chip craft ink. The circles behind it were made with my Creative Memories circle cutter, but you could also use the Coluzzle (which SU sells - and we ALL know we love to show off what SU sells!). The Apple Cider Designer Series paper is just dang yummy! I love it even more in person! Now, if I can just give this baby away before I eat all of those darn kisses . . .

This tin was fun to make. I used the "Autumn Dots" wheel and the "BoHo Friend" wheel with More Mustard and Old Olive ink. I never knew that standard address labels fit so perfectly around those dang delicious Hershey's Nuggets (you'd think I owned stock in Hershey or something, wouldn't ya??)!!! The wheels are the perfect size to lay images down on the labels, too. I suggest masking off the labels and doing one "row" at a time . . . it is easier to see where the edge of the label is if you have an extra piece of paper masking off the rest of the label sheet, too! No problemo, right?? Just lay the paper down and cover up the labels that you don't want ink on (yet . . . 'cause I know you are going to want to cover ALL of the labels with images . . . that means more yummy Nuggets!!).

I am up to card #5 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. This image came to me all the way from AUSTRALIA! My new friend, Anna (annablue on SCS) sent this image to me! I was so excited to color it up and send it on it's way to Devan in Germany! Boy, is that butterfly gonna have some tired wings by the time she gets to Schweinfurt (where my son will give her a new home!)! I colored the image with my non-Copic, plain ol' Stampin' Up markers! I then did three layers of Glassy Glaze (okay, I did ONE layer of clear embossing powder, then decided to do the "cracked glass" technique ) Basically, if you've never done it, you cover your entire image with Versamark, then cover with clear embossing powder or Glassy Glaze; heat set and repeat the process two more times. The Glassy Glaze is a bit thicker and gives a little better result. Once all three layers are done, put the image in the freezer for about 5 minutes. Remove it from the freezer and "break" the image by bending the paper in all directions. You can't see it very well in this picture, but it turned out pretty cool! For some reason, I couldn't get the ink I rubbed over it afterwards with a sponge to sink into the cracks . . . I don't think I "broke" them deeply enough. It still turned out pretty well, though. I immediately sent it to Devan, so he should be getting it by this weekend!!

One last card . . . I learned this neat little trick from JanTink (she rocks AND she likes chocolate when she stamps, too!) . She used a sponge dauber to fill in the tips of these flower images from "Stem Silhouettes". I thought it was sooo dang cute that I HAD to try it!! I used Cameo Coral with just a little bit of Really Rust. I love how it looks when it is finished. I also used my new rectangle Nestabilities on this card! Love, love those! I love how I can "frame" an image with an embossed edge. It really gives an elegant look, don't you think??

Now I just need to go find something to do to distract me from all of the delicious chocolate I have laying around the house!!