faux tiles

This is such a fun new to me technique. It's not hard at all, either. You just score your paper and then distress it with ink to get the tile look. A bit of white pencil in the grout lines is optional, but adds some pop. Then I overstamped with this decorative stamp. It's all distress ink and the card measures 4" x 4". The original directions included using UTEE over the whole thing for a glossy tile look. I skipped that step preferring to have my tiles more of a paver tile look. The cardstock I used on this is some I got at that printers estate sale back in the fall. It has an interesting texture to it that I think adds to the paver look.

a bit of ink

Here's a peek of what's been happening here creatively. These are all backgrounds that I made with ink, water, and saran wrap. I'm loving the new book I mentioned below. Not showing the whole thing because I'm using these for an article and for some class samples. I'm so excited that I may soon be teaching classes. When I have more info, I promise I'll dish. I just want to show you that I really am making something here.

I went out treasure hunting today with Mom. We had a grand time. I think she's going to be ready to go see ellen by May 8th. We are so excited. Do you watch ellen? We love her and I guess we had better practice our dance moves. Mom is a great dancer, so she doesn't have to worry at all. She used to win dance contests. I'm another story. My goal is to dance like noboby is watching. I don't know yet what date the show will air, but it's being filmed on the evening of the 8th, so I'm thinking on the 9th. We hope it's the Mother's Day show.

teabags and women

This is one of my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes. I had many of my friends in mind when I made this card. My aunt told me once that there is nothing so bad in life that some small good doesn't come from it eventually. I've always found it to be true and it carries me through the rough times. So, my friends, even if the going is tough, don't forget to stop and enjoy a cup of tea every once in a while.

Some of my favorite things

So sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I've been busy with my real life duties. People demand to be fed and need clean socks. I also met with both of my card groups and helped out at my parents. I taught my first card making class today and it was a success. Of course there was much needed sleep to find. My body was threatening an all out germ war if it didn't get some rest. So, on to what you want to know....

Here are a few favorite things from CHA.

Maya Road was a top pick company for me. They have these wonderful 12" x 12" flexible black plastic diecut sheets in 6 designs. I can see masking possibilities with these. They had cute diecut chipboard and plastic keychains that need to be stamped and inked. Yummy flowers that wanted to jump in my pocket. They also had some adorable little clear stamps in single packages.

New tiny shapes of grungeboard by Tim Holtz idea-ology with lots of cardmaking possiblities or even jewelry making uses. I know some people think that grungeboard smells, but it just smells like leather to me. A 3" scallop circle punch by EK success that hardly weighed anything. I don't like to use heavy things. Martha has some more of her new border punches that also emboss coming out. They look like fun if you are willing to spend your money on her stuff.

Die cutting...wow! There is so much happening here. I think this is really going to explode. If you don't have a die cut machine just hang on for a bit. Spellbinders had a prototype of an electric machine, not computerized. Basically it works like any of the hand crank machines without the crank, just press a button. I loved this, since I have issues with my hands. They were not allowing pics, but somebody out there may have sneaked one. The new machine is called Xcalibur. The new Slice was very popular with the computerized die cutting crowd.

I saw lots and lots of felt everywhere by many companies. It wasn't that fuzzy kind you buy in sheets for 25 cents, but a denser type of felt die cut or maybe even laser cut into amazingly intricate designs. Some was self adhesive like the stuff from Queen & Co. Big fat chunky glitter was on lots of samples.


I saw lots of clear stamps by every company out there practically. I'm not wild about clear stamps, but if you love them then you have alot more choices coming soon. I saw a trend toward cling mount on rubber stamps by most companies and some that offer a choice of cling mount or wood mount like CHF. There are a few that offer wood mount only, but that seems to be dwindling. A new company called Unity Stamp has some very cool stuff that's a hybrid of red rubber cling mount and wood mount. You have to check out the video on Craft Critique of their stamps.

Tsukeniko has a new line of inkpads in 24 yummy colors called Memento. They come in full sized pads and also in dewdrops. I love those little dewdrops, but how the heck do you store them. Well, check out these prototype racks they had in the booth. I could use some of these if they decide to make them. Maybe if we let them know, it will happen. So, I guess we might all need more ink! LOL

I saw more companies going green. Recycled paper was big. I love companies that are socially aware. Fiskars wins big with me. They were taking donations for developmentally disabled children in exchange for engraved scissors. They engraved a brand new pair of scissors for each person right on the spot in exchange for a donation. I have no idea what this cost the company, but judging by the length of the line it had to be a major donation.

Kits were big. Anything you could imagine was available in a kit somewhere. I love the idea of trying out something new with a kit. There were kits for soldering, jewelry making, watercoloring cards, memory clocks, and so much more. What a great way to start on a new little venture in crafting.

I'm not going to talk about paper because honestly anything your heart desires is available. I can't even believe how much paper is out there. If you want it, you should be able to find it. The economy may be having trouble, but it seems like everyone can afford a little paper or ink to help craft away the blues. I didn't see any sign of a recession at CHA.

getting outside the box

I never really thought much about my style of stamping. I just do what feels right to me at the moment. When we went to the stamp show a couple of weeks ago there were alot of clean style cards. You know, cute, simple, white space. They really appealed to me, and we talked about trying to do some cards like them. Heather posted a love bites challenge and since she was with me at the show, I thought I'd try her challenge with this style.

So here is the finished card. The concept was so much easier than the execution of this one. I learned something about my style. I think my cards have the look they do because I am a messy stamper. I can't keep a white piece of paper white to save my life. You can't even imagine the troubles I went through making this one. I could have made a 1/2 dozen cards in my regular messy style in the time it took to make this one.

Then I decided to try out one more thing from that stamp show. I got some of that fun prima paintable paper. It reminds me of those doodle posters I used to color in with markers back in the day. Even thought this was black and white, it wasn't clean. I could mess around with paint. That made it messy. I like messy. Here is the little funny valentine page I made with it.

I love this one even though it's way out of the box from my normal style. I tried Beth's tutorial on watercoloring with tombows to do this. I have been admiring Jennifer's watercoloring with tombows, and was so happy to finally learn how. Oh, I love watercoloring with tombows. You have to try it. I only did one thing different than the tutorial. I used a waterbrush. I like the ease of it. I'm sure it worked on this project because pink and red are so close together, so if the colors blend, who cares. See, I'm a messy stamper.

I did a review of this prima paintable paper that will be on Craft Critique tomorrow.

Stamping Fun

Take a peek over at 2peas stamping board this week. So many talented stampers are posting challenges and tutorials to help get the creativity rolling here in the depths of winter. I see two challenges posted already tonight and many more to come soon. The link above takes you to the master list of all the challenges. What a fun group it is over at the stamping 2 peas crowd. I've hosted challenges in the past, but am not able to this round. I'll just be playing along. Now, I need to get out there in the recycling bin to find a tyvek envelope to play with. And, I need to see where some cheesecloth is, that's for another challenge. See, I told you it would be fun.

It's been a good, busy day around here. I helped out at Mom and Dad's earlier. Then this evening I made a reservation to stay overnight at CHA next weekend. I've been perusing the amazing list of who will be there and trying to plan a strategy. I think the most important thing will be to have a couple pair of comfortable shoes and lots of water.

What's Up

My good friend Jan made this bubble background and sent it to me some time back. I needed to make this quickly today, so I used her beautiful background. This song by 4 Non Blondes seems to be my anthem lately. So, here it is for the song and lyrics challenge over at gothic arch blog this week.

Mom is in the emergency room awaiting a hospital bed because her kidneys are not working. I'm stuck up here due to snowy weather, and so it goes. Making this helped a little.

Playing with New Toys

I'm having fun with my new bind it all. I had to go by the scrapbook store yesterday for lessons. It's easier to use than I imagined, and I'm getting faster at it with practice. These are the tags I made a while back and they screamed out to be used with the new toy. I cut up some sketch paper for the inside. Each book has about 40 pages. The o rings on these are 5/8" if you are new to this toy, too. I think lining things up is the hardest part. I found that I can cut holes in several sheets of paper at once. It cuts through the cardstock easily, too. I do the covers opposite of how it says in the book. Just practice a bit and you'll get it. I'd love to see what you made with your new toys.

These are for sale in my etsy shop.

Thankful

I enjoyed a lovely card swap this morning with a wonderful new group of stampers. This was our second time meeting and first time swapping cards. Everyone did such a beautiful job on their fall themed cards. I'm so happy that we will be meeting monthly to share a bite of food, friendship, learn new techniques, and swap cards. It's been a couple of years since I've been in a local group for card swaps. I didn't realize how much I missed it.

I made cards like the one above for my contribution. The image is a retired psx stamp that I picked up last weekend at GeeGee's in Carlsbad. She has the most fantastic treasure of used stamps from trade-ins. Ooh, it's like Christmas looking through those drawers. My sweet cousin gave me the pretty brads on the cards along with some more yummy stamps. I used mahogony distress ink on this one...it's my favorite color this week.

Since it's November and a time to give thanks, I thought about those things that bring joy to my life. Here are a few of the everyday pleasures that I'm so thankful for: a perfectly brewed cup of tea in the morning, a nice long walk with the pups crunching the leaves under our feet, the chatter of my son on the way home from school, A nice soft robe and squishy slippers, a good book that makes me giggle, and the hug at the end of a long day from my sweet hubby. What brings joy to your days?

Aspire....

I had so much fun with this week's gothic arch challenge using text. Since I missed the bird one last week, I added it in this week. The base of the arch is the back of an old postcard. I stamped sheet music off to the left with mahogony distress ink and the sentiment at the bottom with the same ink. The lace and pearl headed pin are vintage. I cut the rose from a vintage gift tag and the bird is a vintage playing card that I cut out. The crocheted doily was an RAK and the button is vintage, too. I am enjoying collage more and more with each attempt.

A Fiskateer Project

I made this fun gift card holder and tag for a top secret Fiskateer project. The cat's out of the bag now, so I can share it here. I enjoyed doing a little stitching on these little goodies. It was quite a challenge, since I had to make these while I was evacuated.

I used Mom's scrapbooking supplies. I'm so glad I had shared this paper and some primas with her, so I could steal them back to use. Also, happy she asked me to help her buy some ink to do a little distressing. Of course, the stitching part is easy at her house. There are several machines to choose from.

The pocket measures 3" x 4 1/2", and the tag measures 2 1/2" x 4". This was made to hold a coffee house gift card. My favorite part is the rickrack that I tucked in between the layers that is peeking out. The top of the front part of the pocket is punched out with the top of a tag punch.

You Otter Know...

I want to win. We are playing a silly game over at the stamp shack called survivor. Each day there will be an elimination statement like...if you used pink ribbon you are out. So each day people get eliminated from the game, sort of like musical chairs for cards. Anyhow, this silly thing is my entry. I picked up this adorable otter for $2 at a stamp convention early this year. It's made by Ink Blocks. The sentiment is an unmounted from who knows what company. I used distress inks and a vintage dictionary page. It's fun to make a card for no particular reason that just makes you grin.

Fall Leaf

This is a complete case of a card in Papercrafts magazine that I made in a new card club this week. I love the rich fall colors in this. The papers, stitch stamp, and ribbon are all CTMH. It measures 6" x 6".

A Project and Recommendations

I had so much fun making this little band-aid tin. It started out as a white metal tin from provocraft. After alot of alcohol inks that included red pepper, wild plum, cranberry, pearl mixative and blending solution this is what it looks like. I added some flowers, a glass bead, and some fibers for texture. The metal embellishment came from a swap over at Fiskateers. It has just the right words for the recipient of this little box. I hope it arrives today. It is filled with some ATC's from a whole group of talented women.


Now for a recommendation. I am reading an amazing book called Rubber Stamping Artist Trading Cards. It's a TweetyJill Publication, published this year that I ordered from the library on a whim, and am so happy that I did. It has pics and directions for over 500 ATC's by a variety of artists. There is a one page summary of the history of ATC's which is fascinating. Then, there are all the stamping tips. It covers all of the latest inks, paints, techniques, and tools. I'm completely enamored by this book.

And one more thing you need to check out. I was shopping around etsy this morning and found Morning Glory Designs, the most amazing shop. Actually, it's the shop owner that is amazing. Willie is battling cancer and is teaching beading to others going through chemotherapy. She sells jewelry in her shop in order to buy supplies for her free classes she gives to these brave women who are battling the cancer beast. Please stop by her shop and see if there is something you can purchase to show your support for her amazing selflessness. I started my Christmas shopping there today.

Making Memories Rocks

You may recall that I did a review last month of the new making memories cutter for Craft Critique. I'm so glad I did, because several people complained about problems with theirs. Mine is working fine, but the ruler had come apart from the magnet. They have a form that you can fill out online for defective products. I filled out the form. I just received a package today with a new magnetic ruler and some adorable Halloween tags and thank you rub-ons. This is a company that knows how to take care of business. If you have any problems with making memories products, I urge you to take a moment to contact them.

Welcome Fall

Happy first full day of fall. It definitely feels like fall here today. I keep thinking of going to the apple orchards and going out for apple dumplings and fresh cider at the little restaurant near the orchards. Since I can't talk my family into going today, I made these cards. I won a whole package of goodies from Papercrafts Magazine and this paper and stickers by Flair Designs was in the pack. It's really some wonderful stuff if you want anything at all with a food theme. The apple label is cut out of a 12" x 12" sheet with lots of labels and the tag is a sticker. The background paper is also by the same company. I included some pressed leaves in the design, too. Not a bit of stamping today. The colors are a little off, but you get the idea. The sketch design for these cards is from a Stamp-Shack challenge this week.

Do you have this trimmer?

I have a product review up at Craft Critique today. I reviewed this trimmer by Making Memories which I've only had about a month. Someone posted that it dulls after a few months and doesn't perform. I don't want to send anyone off to waste money. If you have this trimmer, can you let me know how it's working for you? I don't want to lead anyone to a product that doesn't deliver. Thanks.

I am editing this post to add a link to Making Memories for the form to fill out regarding defective product replacement. I sent one in myself regarding the problems mentioned with this product.

Good Grapes

I'm on a grape roll today. Thanks to Jan for these gorgeous backgrounds. The large oval stamp is one of the new Stampington stamps I picked up on Saturday. The wine tasting stamp is by of the heart. The brushstroke grapes are Penny Black. (Thanks Terry). I used versafine imperial purple ink and markers. There is a bit of krylon silver leafing pen in there along with some doodads.

Art Classes

My sweet hubby just showed me a link to some art classes in October. Dick Blick is sponsoring an expo in Pasadena, CA that looks like alot of fun. I'm interested in the collage class, the prisma class, and a silk painting class. I don't know which I'll be able to attend, but there are also free demos. Has anybody been to one of these before? I see they had one in DC and one in Chicago earlier this year.

We are checking out alot of art classes since he wants to take some print making courses, but we haven't found any yet on this side of the country. Please share any great classes you've found in CA. Thanks.

Spumoni

While making these cards for Barb's bingo color challenge, I kept thinking of spumoni ice cream. Since Rite Aid doesn't have spumoni, I had to settle for mint chip, which was yummy. Both of these cards are made with new stamps I bought from Ethel. I adore them.



This first one is by the Queen's Dresser Drawers -such a cute name. I applied distress ink in peeled paint & worn lipstick to glossy white CS. Then I stamped the image with brown staz-on. I layered it and added some doodads. Can you guess what the pink ribbon and metal thing are from?




This card's image really didn't turn out right, but I love how it looks old and water damaged, so I used it. I used the same distress inks on photo paper and then stamped the image with walnut stain distress ink. I think the ink & photo paper is why it didn't come out. The pp is Basic Grey, and some doodads from my stash. Thanks for a grand color challenge, Barb.