For the Love of Frogs...

Happy Friday!!! Today marks the last day of November. Can you believe it? Tomorrow is December!

I love working with these tin DVD cases. You can buy them in bulk with the note pads custom cut to fit inside. If you're interested, just leave a comment and I can pass along the contact information. I made several of these tins for a former co-worker. This was designed for someone that loves frogs. Who can resist Basic Grey's frog?

Stamps: Stampin' Up Letterpress
Paper: Basic Grey Skate Shoppe
Ink: Charcoal chalk
Accessories: grosgrain, dymo, glassine envy, note pad, scallop punch, coluzzle

Basic "A"

This card uses one of my my favorite patterns by Basic Grey. I love the color orange...I just think that it is such a happy color!

Stamps: Stampin' Up Letterpress
Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: scallop punch, coluzzle, white signo pen

Perfect to a "T"

I have several design elements that I just love to work with, monograms and scallop punches. I enjoy working with both and over the next couple of days I will share what I have created using those 2 elements. Navy is not a color that I typically reach for but the Basic Grey paper that I picked for this birthday card looks great with it.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Letterpress, 7 gypsies
Paper: Basic Grey, Stampin' Up Night of Navy
Ink: Stampin' Up Night of navy
Accessories: scallop punch, coluzzle, rhinestone, Stampin' Up word window punch

Masculine Toile

Toile, the subtly elegant printing technique that tells stories in engraving-like detail, traveled a fascinating history of its own to become the enduring favorite of designers, decorators and homeowners everywhere.

Toile, pronounced twal, is an abbreviation of toile de Jouy. The name comes from Jouy-en-Josas, France, where the first plant to commercially produce this type of printing was established in 1760. The initial toile was a monotone, one-color print, rendered in intricate, engraving-like detail on a white or cream-colored background.

I have always been a huge fan of toile patterns. This particular toile pattern paper by Carolee Creations caught my eye because it was not the typical toile that you see in black and white. It makes a wonderful masculine card.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Carte Postale
Paper: Carolee's Creations Aqua Toile & Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy
Ink: Stampin' Up Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: May Arts ribbon, Stampin' Up word window punch, hole punch & vintage finish safety pin

Sparkle

Basic Grey has to be one of my favorite companies. All their pattern paper is simply gorgeous, something for everyone. I made this card a while back.

Paper: Basic Grey and Stampin' Up Pale Plum
Ink: Stampin' Up Regal Rose
Accessories: Stampin' Up twill, K&Co Twinkle Type, scallop punch, white gel pen, dimensionals

New Traditions

We spent the day at the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle. Built in 1962, the Space Needle served as the symbol of that year's World's Fair. It has since become one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

We started a new holiday tradition today, we went to the Nutcracker for the first time. The Seattle Center is the home of the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall which is where the Nutcracker is playing. I've always wanted to go with the kids... I've decided to take the kids to the theater every Thanksgiving weekend. Whether it is the Village Theater in Issaquah or the Paramount Theater in Seattle, it will be a great way to jump start the holidays.

Greetings

A blank chipboard coaster is the focal point of this card. The Damask stamp that I used on the coaster is a discontinued image by Stampin' up. It's unfortunate that they decided to discontinue Damask; I really love it.

Stamps: Stampin' up Damask, 7gypsies
Paper: Stampin' up Bliss Blue, misc chocolate
Ink: Chestnut Roan chalk
Accessories: Coaster, Rhinestone, Stampin' Up Word punch, Corner rounder

Be Merry

With Thanksgiving behind us, I can't believe that Christmas is around the corner. The weather has been sunny and cold in the Northwest. The kids can't understand how it can be so cold and why there isn't any snow...

Stamps: Stampin' Up Snowflakes & Warm Words
Paper: Fabriano
Ink: Cranberry Crisp
Accessories: Cranberry Crisp stitched ribbon and bling

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!! This year has been so very wonderful and amazing. I have such a fabulous support system {you know who you are}. It has motivated me to really work on my personal goals....you know, that list that keeps getting longer and things slowly get checked off. One of the items that I added this year is to become more active in paper crafting. It is a hobby that I really enjoy and one that I am slowly nurturing.

I am always thankful for my healthy kids. They continue to bring joy, love and laughter into my life. They are absolutely beautiful...

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Welcome to the World.....

Charlie

Born on Tuesday, November 20, 2007

9:19 a.m.

10 lbs. 2 oz.

21 inches

There is something so very sweet and calming when you hold a newborn in your arms. After a chaotic day of work and driving around my world instantly slowed down when I held adorable Charlie.

The kids love their new cousin.

Welcome to the World Charlie!!!

Haiku Bunny

This is a set that I made for my Mom. I love to make anything that is Asian inspired. The card is 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches. I used H2O's on the bunny's flowers so it has a nice 'twinkle'. The image I used is called Haiku Bunny by Hero Arts. Evidently it is no longer in production and if you find it, it'll cost you. Luckily I bought it from a user on my favorite site, Splitcoaststampers. The papers are from a Handmade paper pack that I received as a Valentine's gift from a friend. I altered the Altoid tin so that I can pop my mom's gift inside....a bunch of Starbucks cards (she's a Starbucks-aholic). Rather than getting her just one, I always buy her a couple...it seems like she's getting more...

Stamps: Hero Arts Haiku Bunny
Paper: Misc Handmade Paper
Ink: Charcoal Chalk
Accessories: misc ribbon, bottle cap, Design Originals bottle cap image

Monograms

Some things will always be timeless like monograms. This is a card I made earlier this year and I still love the look of it. I was commissioned to make several cards and gifts for a former coworker and this one was going to her son.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Letterpress Alpha
Paper: 7 gypsies
Ink: Charcoal Chalk
Accessories: May Arts ribbon, scallop punch, coluzzle

Holiday Greetings

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. For many years I have sent out my Christmas cards the Saturday following Thanksgiving. This year is no exception but there is a little surprise on the envelope.

I believe that the United States Postal Services loves Paper Crafters. This year, first class postage jumped from $0.38 to $0.41. Throw in ribbon and other “bumpy” embellishments on a card and the postage spikes up to $0.58.

In January 2007, we were hit with snow…The kids made this very original snow person. The body was made with cardboard boxes. I love their imagination and creativity! I tapped in zazzle.com and created custom postage using this photo. The kids are going to flip!

Less is more...

Sometimes I think less is more. Keeping the design clean and simple bring out the details in Cavallini stamps that were used on these Parisian note cards. They look like letterpress cards...which I absolutely love.

Stamps: Cavallini Paris Stamp Set
Paper: Fabriano
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia

Where have the days gone....

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? There are a little more than six weeks left in 2007. This year has flown by.

I did not do any stamping last night but managed to put together a couple of CD Calendars. They will either be on textured cardstock like the ones I have pictured or they will have very clean/crisp stamped images {tone on tone}. I hope to work on those tonight. The ribbon I used is a spool that I bought from Target a couple of years ago which is nice high quality stuff {we're not talking their Dollar Spot}. It really does finish off the packaging.

Night Owl

There is going to be a new little "Night Owl" in the family. The inspiration for my card is the adorable outfit that one of the kids picked out for their new cousin that will be arriving next week. I've seen a trend in owl images and just think that they are so sweet.

Stamps: Stampin' Up What a Hoot, 7Gypsies
Paper: Stampin' Up Brocade Blue/Chocolate Chip & So Saffron

Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia
Accessories: Papersource satin ribbon, corner rounder, oval and circle punches.

Cider & Friends

I'm in the process of designing and creating pieces to sell at my Holiday Gift Fair. I wanted to offer a variety of things including cards and home decor. I have been using Stampin' Up's Apple Cider Designer paper a lot. Orange {Pumpkin Pie ala Stampin' Up lingo} is one of my many favorite colors.

Stamps: 7gypsies
Paper: Stampin' Up Apple Cider & Chocolate Chip
Ink: Brillance Moonlight White
Accessories: Ikea frame, misc satin chocolate ribbon, tacks to hold the ribbon, scallop scissors
Techniques: fussy cutting...lol

Bandwagons

I tend to jump on bandwagons...especially ones on Splitcoaststampers. Last year the rage was chipboard coasters so I bought a bunch....round and square....lots of them. This album was created with the square coasters covered with Basic Grey's Scarlett's Letter. I'm actively working on my vow to "not hoard"...I used lots of goodies on this project. I hope that the birthday girl likes it!!!

Paper: Basic Grey Scarlett's Letter, black cardstock
Accessories: K&Co Twinkle Type, Basic Grey rub-ons, chipboard words, bottle cap, bottle cap sticker, fabric label & beaded chain.

Warm Greetings

I did some late night stamping yesterday. I needed to create a clean and simple birthday card. I hope that the birthday girl isn't reading this. The Fabriano card measures 3-3/8" x 5-1/4".

If you are a stamper you may be a "compulsive hoarder"...you know, you buy all these wonderful things to create with and then are apprehensive to use them. I use to be that way with my Fabriano's but as you can see; I've been creating with them a lot. I have accumulated a number of embellishments that I'm trying to resist hoarding. Most non-crafty people might not even understand the hoarding concept. They are probably wondering why someone would buy things in the first place and then not use it. It reminds me of my Grandmother (we called her "Obachan" which is Japanese for Grandmother). We would buy wonderful gifts for Obachan but she would always "save" them. So my current mission is to use what I have and resist the urge to hoard.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Like It a Latte
Paper: Fabriano
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia
Accessories: Making Memories Cosmo ribbon

Apple Cake with a Twist

• This card is the same layout design as the Apple Cake card posted yesterday. I just changed one panel of paper and what a difference! The design inspiration is compliments of Sharon Johnson aka Splitcoaststamper's notimetostamp. It was her Company's Coming card she posted as a Flourishes design team member that inspired my Apple Cake cards.

Apple Cake

My favorite stamping website to visit is Splitcoaststampers. One of the many talented artists that shares her work is Sharon Johnson aka notimetostamp. She is part of the design team for Flourishes, a magnificent rubber stamp company based in Florida. My "Apple Cake" card was inspired by Sharon's "Company's Coming" card.

Stamps: Flourishes Cake Decorating 101
Paper: Stampin' Up Apple Cider & Pumpkin Pie
Ink: VersaFine Vintage Sepia
Accessories: Stampin' Up grosgrain, flower, rhinestone bling & scallop scissors

Happiness...

Happiness is working with Fabriano cards...here's some information about Fabriano that I found on Blick Art Materials:

The cradle of papermaking in the western world is found in the city of Fabriano. For more than seven centuries, Fabriano has been famous the world over for its production of the finest art and writing papers that embody the perfect marriage of innovation and tradition.

Papermaking at Fabriano mills began in 1283 and the remaining examples of paper that exist from this time indicate the advanced state of papermaking at the mills. Fabriano is responsible for the development of many innovations that are still a part of papermaking today, the most important of which is the identification of papers using watermarks.

Artists and writers such as Giambattista Bodoni, Albrecht Dürer, Michelangelo, Raphael and Francisco Goya have praised Fabriano papers for their unequaled quality. Works from these artists that exist today are a testament to the enduring quality of Fabriano paper.

Fabriano is the only papermaker that continues to employ both traditional and hi-tech production methods in its dedication to high quality artist paper.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Fabulous Flowers & Warm Words
Paper: Fabriano
Ink: Color Box Ice Blue and Chestnut Roan Chalk
Accessories: Chocolate and Blue grosgrain

Inspiration is everywhere

There is inspiration everywhere for card designs. I'm constantly looking at magazine ads, bedding, pillows...you name it...for inspiration. This card is compliments of an ad for dessert plates. I love the look of "tone on tone" and then throwing in the chandelier for contrast.

Stamps: Impress chandelier, Stampin' Up Damask, Stampin' Up Warm Words
Paper: Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi and misc black
Ink: Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi, VersaFine Onyx Black
Accessories: rhinestone bling

I did it...

I've actually tried to set up a blog a couple of times but could not figure it out. I think that I'm slowly getting it. I hope to see this slowly evolve into something really creative.....

<<-----This is an asian themed card that I used The Far East Stack from DCWV. Throw in a bottle cap, Design Originals bottle cap sticker, scallop punch, Stampin' Up oval punches/Warm Words set and chestnut roan chalk ink...