Here's part 2 of Stamping Basics:



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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:



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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.



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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!

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.

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.

School's out for summer! I love summer vacation.  We took off as soon as Kyle finished his last final of Thursday for a nice long weekend in the Eastern Sierras. Mom and Dad joined us again this year for what is now a tradition since this makes two years in a row.  We even stayed in the same condo.  I was surprised that there was still snow on the ground up at Lake George.  I read a whole book while we were there, Water for Elephants.  It was a great read and a highly entertaining account of a 90 year old man looking back on his life focusing on his time working at the circus.  Of course we did some sightseeing, hiking, shopping, and lots of eating out and visiting.  It was a great getaway.  We're home just long enough to do the laundry and pack the bags again.  Next stop- rugby camp for Kyle at Cal Berkley.  I hope you're having a great start to the summer.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Just Peachy Supplies Cardstock: Die Cuts With A View; Tag: Avery; Stamp: PSX; Ink: Tsukineko; Markers: Copic; Pencils: Prisma; Punch: Fiskars; Other: Lace

"Genevieve" Supplies Cardstock: Stampin Up; Rubons: Fiskars; Pearl: Kaiser Craft; Stamp: Buzz n Bloom; Ink: Ranger; Markers: Tombow; Vintage Pattern: Vogue; Other: Dictionary definition, vintage button.


Here's a little ATC for you on this fine Sunday.  I used a couple of vintage pattern images and a button from our dear neighbor's estate. Genevieve was my parent's neighbor for more years than I care to count.  I say she was my neighbor, because she was my neighbor while I still lived at home as a teen and young adult.  She was a fine seamstress and grew beautiful flowers and vegetables in her yard and always had a smile on her sweet face.  It feels odd to eat dinner at my parents and not take a plate of food next door to her now.  She was such a kind soul, and shared her kindness with my son, too.  In fact he's the age now that I was when I first met her.  So, this little ATC is sitting in my display board to remind me to smile often and offer a kind word to my neighbors.  


Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies Cardstock: Stampin Up; Patterned Paper: Graphic 45; Tag: Avery; Stamp: Serendipity Stamps; Ink: Tsukineko, Ranger; Other: Seam Binding.

Hey everyone.  I'm still here, just not spending much time in the fun room or at the computer these days. The weather is gorgeous and the blue skies keep calling me.  I'm still subbing bunches; every day this week.  Only two more weeks until school's out for summer!

Our class is scheduled for the CHA Super Show on Friday, July 30th.  Here's a link to all the Super Show classes.  We'll make 4 different pendants using 4 different Fiskars tools with a whole bunch of fun along the way. If you're in Chicago, you don't want to miss it.  I've already heard from a few friends who are signed up.  I can hardly wait.  

Thanks for stopping by today.

The time is flying by me faster than I can count.  This is the card I made for our last card swap of the year with my stamping group.  We meet during the school year and take time off in the summer.  We'll get back to it in September.  The theme was sympathy and this single layer card was a personal challenge for me.  I'm trying to get back to a simpler way of stamping.  The grey block behind the image is direct to paper with a grey inkpad.  It didn't cover completely which was a happy accident.  I stamped the silhouette over it with versafine ink and the same ink with the butterfly which is fussy cut out and the sentiment.  A few gems finish off this simple design.  I think it works for sympathy or even for illness or other losses.  

In other news around here.  One month left of the school year.  I'm teaching bunches.  I was at the high school all week and even taught a couple of Kyle's classes this week and we both survived.

I've been having a blast making plans for CHA and creating class samples.  So many exciting things happening this summer.  I'll share my schedule when it's complete.  I hope to meet up with lots of artsy  friends while I'm in Chicago.  It's my first time there and I'm hoping to sneak in a few fun Chicago snacks and sites before all the CHA fun begins.  If you have any suggestions or tips, please share them.  

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by today!

I'm honored to be hosting the gothic arch challenge this week.  Our theme is Mona Lisa.  I have a funny story to share about the first time I ever saw the actual painting almost 25 years ago.  I was in Europe with three friends and a backpack, staying in hostels and riding trains to get around.  We were in a dimly lit room at the Louvre for our viewing of the Mona Lisa.  She really is much larger than I imagined with a richness of color beyond my dreams.  I was enjoying the splendor of it all when a flash of light nearly blinded us.  Somebody in the crowd took a flash photograph of the painting.  Pow, the lights all went off and it was totally dark in the room and they covered the painting.  That was it, our moment was over.  No more Mona Lisa for us.  We had to move along.  Life is like that, you have to enjoy the moments as they happen.  I'm glad I got to see her.  I hope to see her again someday.  Thanks for stopping by today.

supplies: glossy cardstock; ink potion #9; distress ink; stampers anonymous mona lisa stamp; wordsworth quote stamp; vintage postage stamps; bingo marker.

The stamp girls came over to play this morning.  We stamped tile coasters and trivets and swapped spring cards. Nine years ago I was invited to go on the stamp girls' annual field trip to a stamp store and out to lunch. It was such a fun day that I joined the group. I'd always been artsy crafty, but had never stamped before.  I had no idea what I was getting into.

I bought my first stamp that day. I wasn't very good at it, but they didn't kick me out of the group.  The girls shared their stamps and knowledge with me at every turn in the road.  It wasn't long before I jumped into stamping with all my heart. Playing in the ink, paint, rubber stamps, and messy techniques makes me happy.  It's taken me places I never imagined.

No matter where my stamping passion takes me, it's mornings like today that get to the heart of what makes creating such an important part of my life.  It's getting together with girlfriends and sharing our lives, our laughter, our stamps, and our ideas.  It's inviting new friends to join us, missing old friends whose lives are too busy to stamp, and then hugging them when they find time to come back.  It's taking a break from chores, kids, and responsibilities to spend time with the girls and play. It keeps us whole and sane so we can go back to chores, kids, and responsibilities with a smile knowing that we get playtime again with our girlfriends next month.

Thanks for stopping by today.

It's sunny and warm and I'm so happy the weekend's here.  We're going to a BBQ and softball game this afternoon.  What a fun way to spend the day.  I hope you're having a beautiful weekend and that spring has finally arrived for you, too.

This is a card I made quite a while back, but it fits for today.  The image was given to me by a stamping friend, so I'm not sure who made it.  I colored it with various markers and used the Fiskars threading water punch on the bottom. There's a bit of sparkle on the flowers, too. Thanks for stopping by today.

We're running away for a few days of fun in the sun to finish off our spring break in style.  This little cutie is the luggage tag I made a while back.  So happy I get to use it.  See ya next week!

Happy Spring, Happy Easter, Happy Chocolate Eggs!  We're heading off to my folks for a yummy ham dinner followed by boston cream pie.  I think the food is my favorite part of holiday traditions. Of course there's all the part around preparing the food that I love, too.  The laughter and sharing of recipes and carrying on. I hope you're having a fine day with your loved ones.  Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies: glossy cardstock; Staz-On ink; Ink Potion #9; Stampin Up, Inkadinkado, and PSX stamps; feathers; metal epoxy words.

soar

Supplies: Canson Acrylic Paper; Golden Fluid Acrylic Paints; Versamark Ink; Stampin Up Embossing Powder; Sharpie Paint Pen; Stamps by Darkroom Door, Impression Obsession, Stampin Up; Ranger Paint Dabber; Metallic RubOns; Fiskars Corner Punch; Vintage Buttons.


I got messy this weekend with these ATCs and a few projects for the magazine.  These are for a swap with a wing theme I'm hosting.  I made the backgrounds with a palette knife and leftover paint smeared around.  It mixed and messed while I was working on it, then I set it aside for about a month.  This weekend when I wanted to get my ATCs going I cut it apart and got to work.  I love making backgrounds like this when I'm cleaning up.  I always have a little pile of clean up backgrounds.  They usually work better than a background that I try to make for a project.

We had a wonderful time at Disney last week and I'm still working tons and tons.  I took today off to go meet a friend for tea and go to yoga.  It's been 2 weeks since I went and I really need to go get centered and balanced and strong.  Yoga isn't for sissies, it works muscles I never knew I had and the peaceful feeling at the end is better than chocolate.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Supplies: PSX Image Stamp; Rubber Stampede Sentiment Stamp; Memento Ink; Distress Ink; Copic Markers; Fiskars Edge Tearing Tool; Topographic Map; S&H Green Stamp.

First I've got to say a huge, monstrous thank you for all the love from the blog hop.  Wow, I didn't even offer any blog candy and I still got lots of love.  I read each and every comment and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to share in the hop.

I've been working like a maniac lately.  This happens every spring.  The retired teachers who got a golden handshake deal for subbing have put in their hours and the teachers are tired and going to lots of trainings and meetings. I've been subbing almost everyday.  I've taught elementary school, middle school science, wood shop and PE, and high school foods this past week.  I'm really enjoying all this time out of the house and the extra money for summer fun is always good.  Hopping around to different schools and grade levels is a challenge and keeps me on my toes.  I just need to sneak in a little yoga and all will be good.

Today is a teacher inservice day; no school for me or the young man.  We're running away to the happiest place on earth.  I need to go wake him up so we can ride Space Mountain!  Hope your having a beautiful spring day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome Spring

Supplies: Graphic 45 Patterned Paper; Stampin Up and Hampton Arts Stamps; StazOn and Ranger Distress Inks; Vintage Sheet Music; Grosgrain Ribbon and Pin; Button and Waxed Thread.

Happy first day of Spring.  I'm participating in the OWH blog hop today. I love this organization that was started by a dear online stamping friend who has the most giving heart. OWH spreads a bit of cheer and love to those who give so much to us.  I send in cards a couple of times a year from my stash of ever growing stamped cards that get sent out to soldiers overseas who then send them back home to their loved ones.  My cousin's son and our dear friends' son are both currently serving overseas.  I hope they can send a beautiful card from OWH to their lovely wives.  

If you'd like to get involved with sending cards, here is the link with all the information you need to get started along with shipping addresses and important do's and don'ts to make it all run smoothly. Here's a link to the top of the hop, if you started in the middle.   

Next stop on the hop: Kelly's beautiful blog.  Thanks for stopping by today.

I'm still in a flurry of scissors, glue, ink, and collage here working away on my Graphic 45 project. I wish I could show it to you, but I need to wait a bit. I'm taking pictures to share later. I feel like a spy. "I could show you, but then I'd have to kill you."  I'm driving my family crazy with what do you think about this and that. The kitchen table is completely out of commission. It's been a labor of love, though. I can tell you I've used papers from 4 different lines together. That's one of the things I love about this company, everything goes together beautifully.  Of course I've raided my stash of vintage stuff as well as a stamp or two.  Ok, that's probably too much info already.  Thanks so much for all the support on this exciting opportunity.

This is one of the cards I submitted in round one of the submissions to Graphic 45.  I think the butterfly is Lost Coast Designs, but I'm not completely certain.  It's colored with Copics and of course the patterned papers are Graphic 45.  The ribbon is May Arts.  Thanks for stopping by today.