Just dropping in to say hey!

The last month was a whirlwind of travel for me and I had a blast!  I was in a flurry of make and takes at some local and not too local places.  For now, I've stopped to rest and catch up on everything before I run off to Chicago next month.  Here's a peek at one of my trips:



Seriously, what is up with the weather?  While I was in Arizona, my son and husband were struck by lightning while fly fishing and while I was in Palm Springs last week, my father-in-law and his wife lost their garage to a tornado.  Everyone is fine with hair raising stories to tell.  I'm very grateful, but a bit hesitant to go away again, not sure what will happen next. It's just crazy.

In other crazy news, my adorable baby boy is turning 16 this week.  He towers over me at over 6' tall and has moments when the hormones take over and he's not so adorable.  I love him oceans and am treasuring every moment of these last few years he'll be here at home with us, even the challenging ones. He still loves fishing and rugby, which balances out the PS3 addiction and constant texting.  His friends are so much smarter and more important than we are, so I'd have to say he's a pretty typical teen.

On the same day that the boy turns 16, Curtis and I celebrate the 24th anniversary of our first date.  Almost a quarter of a century together, and he still surprises me.  I picked a good partner for this roller coaster of life.  I can't wait to see what the next 24 years bring.

Wishing you a fun filled summer.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Here's part 2 of Stamping Basics:



Thanks for stopping by today.

I've started a new series of videos called Stamping Basics. It is very basic for those who are just starting out on their stamping adventures. Here's the very first in what will be a long series of videos:



Thanks for stopping by today.

I'm hosting a Winter Stamp Out over on the Fiskateer site this weekend. We're getting inky with twenty challenges as we say goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring. It's bunches of fun. The very last challenge is called Simon Says 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Honestly I was scratching my head trying to come up with the last of the challenges and threw this one in. I've been busy hosting, but really wanted to play along in at least one challenge. I chose this one because it's the toughest of the bunch in my eyes. Here's the challenge: Create a card using 5 embellishments, 4 patterned papers, 3 stamps, 2 punches, and 1 piece of cardstock. My Chicken Soup Card:

Here's the breakdown:

5 embellishments- tag, hemp, bakers twine, green burlap, piece of old measuring tape
4 patterned papers- 1" pieces of Jillibean Soup papers from the Chilled Strawberry Soup and Snowman Soup lines
3 stamps- chicken, sentiment, messy background stamps
2 punches- Fiskars Notebook Border and Chip Off the Old Block punches
1 piece of cardstock-there's a kraft cardstock base under all that other stuff :)

For the FTC Police: The Jillibean Soup Papers and Fiskars punches were given to me by the companies. The rest of the things used to create this card are from my own stash of treasures.

For everyone else thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have time to get ink on your fingers this weekend.

I had a wonderful birthday weekend!  Thanks for all the sweet wishes.  Hair was off the chart amazing.  It's in my top 3, and I'd go see it again tomorrow.  If it travels anywhere near you, don't miss it, and don't take the kids.  It's definitely a date night play.

CHA preparation has taken over my life, but I'm not complaining.  It's amazing and worth every moment of searching for crazy things like orange teapots.  I made a video today of my absolute favorite new product coming out at winter CHA.  Fiskars is so awesome.  I asked for this product and they delivered.  I have to pinch myself every once in a while to make sure this is all really happening.  I'm one very happy fiskateer.



Thanks for stopping by today!

grace

I've chosen my one little word for the new year: grace: thoughtfulness toward others; goodwill; seemingly effortless charm of movement.  Firstly, those who know me well know that I don't come by physical grace naturally.  It's an effort and one I intend to continue working toward with my yoga practice.  I'm working on a new project for 2011 called Hearts of Orange, Crafting for the Common Good.   It's a year long effort of crafting for others that starts tomorrow.  


Have you chosen a word for 2011, yet?  I've found that my word takes on new dimension as the year rolls on and brings new things into my life I hadn't expected.  I can't wait to see what grace brings in 2011.  Happy New Year.

I've been busy working and playing.  I went to a sewing weekend with my mom, aunt, and cousin last weekend.  We giggled and sewed and ate and visited for two days.  Then when we came home, my cousin stayed with me for two nights and we crafted and giggled and visited and ate some more.  I don't know that we accomplished tons, but we had lots of girl time fun.  I spend so much time on the computer lately, that I haven't crafted much.  It was wonderful to just play and get messy and create.  Then, yesterday I went to a scrapbook expo with a couple of my stamping friends and played all day looking at all the goodies and make and takes.  We even stopped at In and Out Burger for lunch.  What a treat!  Hubby and I went to see the movie Red (funny with action, good date movie) this afternoon while the kiddo went to a Halloween party dressed in a toga.  I'm afraid he's already looking ahead to fraternity parties.  Curtis is happy about that, hoping for a legacy :)

I made this little card as a thank you for the Fiskateers who took on a blind color challenge last week.  Take a peek at this video if you'd like to see the amazing things they created.  

Thank You Card Supplies Used:  Cupcake Squeeze Punch, Paper Crimper, In Stitches Border Punch, Postage Stamp Border Punch, Latte Love Stamps, Swirls of Fun Stamps, Colorbok Paper, Ranger Distress Ink, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder and Die Cut Awareness Ribbon, orange tulle, cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I made a huge mess making this little boo cameo pin to wear on our Halloween Disney trip.  I can hardly wait for all the spooky disney fun! You can enter to win the punch I used to make the bat by sharing a Halloween memory or tradition on the Fiskateer blog.  

Supplies used: Fiskars batty for you squeeze punch; Fiskars cameo appearance squeeze punch; Fiskars grass border punch; Fiskars paper crimper; Graphic 45 papers; Tombow markers; Ranger stickles; Judikins glass beads; fabric trim scraps; pinback.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and took the time to leave a comment on the orange blog hop post.  So sorry I didn't get back sooner to announce the RAK winner.  I've been sick the past week with bronchitis which is no fun at all.  I'm feeling much better now, though.  The winner of the stamp set is Laura Bray.  Shoot me an email with your mailing address when you get a moment, Laura.

I just finished a new video tutorial using some of my fave fiska-tools.  Click on the video to view full screen.



I hope you'll find time to make a few fall cards.  Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to the Orange Blog Hop.  If you happened by not knowing about the hop, we're having a Fiskateer hop today celebrating all things orange a la the orange handled scissors I love so much.  If you aren't yet a Fiskateer, I hope you'll consider joining in.  All you need to do to get started is send me an email at tami@fiskateers.com and let me know about your craft interests.

I had loads of fun playing around with my new favorite Fiskars punches and stamp set to come up with this orange tag for you.  It's a bit on the yellow side of orange, but it does look more orange in real life.  I used some of my old favorites here, too.  The base is an Avery tag covered with sewing pattern paper.  It's pretty delicate, so a glue stick on the tag is about all it takes.  I wrinkled up the pattern paper first for texture and then used a brayer after I got it glued down to get it to stick good and get out the air bubbles.  I then stamped over the paper using Versafine Ink and the stamp set called For the Birds.  The border punch is called In Stitches.  The flowers are by Hero Arts with a sewing snap through the middle.  I painted Radiant Pearls over the top of the tag and on the top flower.  The sentiment is stamped onto a scrap with the same Versafine ink and then punched out with a new squeeze punch called Postage Stamp.  That's a piece of old measuring tape tied up on the top.

I have an extra set of the For the Birds stamps to give away to one lucky hopper who leaves a comment here.  Be sure you sign in with enough info so I can find you after the hop if you win.  Next stop on the hop: Kate Blue #4529

Thanks for stopping by today.

CHA photobooth silliness

I can't believe it's September already. I'm two months into my Lead Fiskateer gig and I think I have my sea legs back now. It's been a wild ride so far and I'm loving every minute of it. It seems like summer just flew by in a flash this year. Kyle is back in school as a sophomore with a very heavy load of classes. He seems happy with his classes and is studying every night already. That's a good sign. He comes home speaking french to me every day and I love that. It's been a long time since my high school french class, but it's coming back quickly. Maybe we'll have to take a trip to France or Quebec next year and try out our skills. I'm enjoying my weekly yoga classes and spending way too much time on the computer lately. I have plans of making a new video tutorial soon, hopefully this weekend. I'm carving out a little time to read The Help, and I'm loving it so far.  Curtis and I have weekend travel plans for later this fall to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It feels like we just got married yesterday.  I hope you're having a good start to your fall season.  Thanks for stopping by today.

I'm off to the windy city.  If you'll be at CHA this week, stop by to see me at one of the many places I'll be hanging out.  You can't miss me, I'll be one of the crazy girls dressed in orange from head to toe.  Here's a link to my schedule.  I'm so excited about this trip.  I hardly slept at all.  Thanks for stopping by.

I came home from my amazing vacation to a package from Fiskars. It's the new Everywhere Window Punch System. I tried punching everything in the house with it while I came up with a new video tutorial for you. I'm happy to report that it punches through cardstock, patterned paper, shipping tags, and those thin metal sheets used for papercrafting. It's shipping, but I can't find it online anywhere except as a pre-order.  A little bird told me that it can be found in some Joanne's stores. Here's the youtube video:

Thanks for watching. Now, I really do need to pack my bags. I leave before the sun comes up tomorrow morning for a visit to Fiskars headquarters for a planning and training extravaganza with my co-fiskateer leads. I'm going to try hard not to make a fool of myself, but I'm sure the excitement of it all will find me jumping for joy and giggling like a crazed fan of the orange handled scissors.  I'm now blogging in two places, so if you don't see me around and wonder what the heck I'm up to, you can also find me at the Fiskateers Blog here.  Thanks for stopping by today.

joy

Oh, it's a happy day!  I'm beyond excited to share with you that I've accepted my dream job with Fiskars.  I'll be one of four Lead Fiskateers for the next two years.  I get to travel to trade shows and other crafty events, teach online and in person, and spend lots of time online with The Fiskateer Community.  I can't imagine a better job in the whole world.

I've adored Fiskars orange handled scissors since I was a little girl.  Mom used her orange handled Fiskars scissors to cut out the fabric for all of the clothes she sewed for us.  They were referred to as "the good scissors" as in "don't touch my good scissors".  Now I can touch all the orange handled scissors I want.  I'm actually a part of the good scissors company.  It doesn't get any better.

Here's the video announcing the Lead Fiskateers.  I'm the only new one, so I'm at the end of the video.  The other three leads are such inspiring role models.  I'm honored to be in this group of talented women.




Thanks for stopping by today.

a fiska-bracelet

I'm getting hooked on these button bracelets now. I made this one to match my fisateer scissors. I love how bright and sunny this one turned out. I included a little scissor charm at the end of it. My button stash is getting nervous.

i heart buttons

I really must admit that I have huge thing for buttons. Maybe it stems from sorting through mom's button jar as a kid. I just can't help myself when I'm out treasure hunting. If I see any beautiful, quirky, old, or whatever buttons I have to have them. I've amassed quite a collection. The are separated by color into lots of button jars. Mostly I collect them like so many things in my life. This week I was inspired by this bracelet on etsy to actually use them.

I'm not a jewelry maker by any stretch of the imagination. I had an empty cheapie charm bracelet from the thrift shop in my stash. So, I got out some needle nosed pliers and jumprings and started playing. First off my jumprings were kind of thick, so they wouldn't work with all my buttons. I just kept on at it until I got this made:



Well, now I'm hooked I think. I stopped by Michael's last night for some better chain, closures, and thinner jumprings. I'm sorting through my buttons to make something more vibrant and kicky. The fiskateers have a whole virtual CHA challenge going on today and tomorrow. One of the challenges is to make something with our fiskateer colors, so I'm sorting through the orange and green stuff to see what I can come up with.