Cards! Finally!

Well, with the kids heading back into a routine -- Mom can finally (hopefully) get more daytime stamping... these cards were basically conceived in stolen moments. I am trying to work it out to get Wednesdays as "me time" and for stamping. We will see how that goes.

Next week I am leading a card for the Methodist stamping group that I attend -- not that I am a Methodist (Jewish/Quaker is my background) -- but this group of gals has a great monthly meeting, and I am so pleased that they keep it open to others on the Island where I live.

Thanks so much to Susan for finding a "basic sketch" somewhere (when I find out where, I will edit to include that) and then for offering HER ideas on how she would change it! Together I think we found a great design.

I have done two samples using Artfully Asian (Stampin' Up!) -- this one uses the cherry blossom bough, the other is simplified for those who might be "cutting challenged" and it uses the leaf stamp from the set (sorry -- no photo at the moment). I am in love with the whole "out of the box" thing I have seen on Lauren's blog that I wanted to try it on something of mine. I am hoping that the gals in the group (some very beginning stampers) will want to give it a try.

I used the Canvas Background (Stampin' Up!) in versamark on Rose Red cardstock -- and the sentiment and image are stamped in Basic Brown on Ivory. All edges are sponged in Chocolate Chip classic ink -- and I used some of the Rose Red Pallet O' Prints designer paper from Stampin' Up! under the main image. All the brown layers of cardstock are Chocolate Chip. The Prima flower with Making Memories brad is a little lush detail that makes the card work. I like the way it takes front, and yet balances the image... no need to color the little stamped flowers... really, a very simple card. I hope they like making it!

This second card is one that came together in little bits. I just can't help loving the prismacoloring on the Lizzie Anne flowers... I am so excited for their new releases!

This card uses one of my favorite things in my stash: the Basic Grey 6x6 designer paper pads -- this one is from the Phoebe collection. Those little birdies are so dang cute! I am seeing them everywhere in stamps, so I am not surprised that this paper is getting new life. I know I want to use it with a few birdies I have yet to purchase! With the paper... You know -- I finally GOT it~ USE the stuff -- you CAN get more! ;^)* Anyone else who has a tendency to hoard... it is very freeing to gain this attitude.

Side note: I used to have these kitchen towels -- I wanted to "keep them nice" and so I wouldn't use them... but I also wanted to buy a new set (I love having lots of towels around) and I couldn't justify having so many... then I got it! USE them, and when you need more, you will be able to buy MORE! Duh! Something inside of me is coming from a place of Scarcity -- and the world is just not like that. Please don't get me wrong: I am NOT advocating waste or some horrible out-of-wack consumerism -- but hoarding and buying without USING is just weird and not right. 'Nuf said :^)

Back to the card: I was seeing a lot of tent topper cards, and well, I don't like to do things all at the same time... I sort of meander and wander and do things at my own pace. So, this was slow in getting started and quick to come together. It was intended to be my fourth entry for Kimmie's Kard Kontest about a week or more ago... but alack! I had too much going on with my folks in town to get to finish it. I did finish it a few days ago -- but am FINALLY getting to post!

I used Kraft, Choc. Chip and Pretty in Pink and White cardstock, Palette Hybrid ink in Burnt Umber, Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, brads from Oriental Trading Co., May Arts Ribbon and SU silver cord. Stamps are Lizzie Anne and Verve Visuals first set of sentiments called "Thoughtful Phrases" that work GREAT with the Word Window punch from Stampin' Up! I am VERY impressed by the Verve Visuals stamps -- though I was skeptical at first (they seemed so small...) and I think that this card managed to finally come together in a way I can live with.

Happy Weekend, all -- I hope that you each get a chance to your heart's delight. Me, too, for that matter!

Creating -- and Enjoying -- but what a push!

I worked all week to set up this time today to stamp. It was _such_ a challenge -- but I did it. I made a card and a half for Kimmie's Kard Kontest -- but with all that went on (my folks are still here -- the kids are coldy and just needing Mama -- I have been really catering to my parents' needs...) I couldn't finish my fourth card for the Kontest. I am sooooo bummed!

My DH was GREAT. He said the nicest thing, "Oh, Honey -- it's OK -- you still have those beautiful cards you made!" Isn't that nice? He was trying so hard not to make me feel like a failure.

Here are the cards that I made -- the last two -- you saw the first -- my sister's birthday card. This one is for the Fall Colour Challenge:


I hope that you can't see the holes that I punched under the scallop that I didn't use -- like everything these days, I have not been able to re-do anything! No Time! I just make lemonade The fun chickens are from Hambo Stamps.

And this one is for the Sketch Challenge:

In this one, I was amazed that the black ink just doesn't want to dry! It is versafine onyx black, and it got smeared once -- then again, and finally I just said, let me fix this by making it consistent, at least. And you know, I kind of like the way it softened the butterfly a bit! It gave it some life... almost a sense of motion! The stamps are all from Stampin' Up!

I hope that you like the cards! I hope that Kimmie will consider them for her Kontest... I am not sure that they got in on time... oh, sigh. Anyone else have that kind of a time with a contest?

Happy Birthday to my Sister

Today is the day that my little sister turns 39. I am feeling so good for her in so many ways -- she has come so far in knowing who she is and in establishing herself... as an adult, it is so much nicer to draw on our rich history together and work things out as they arise... I love her so much, and it is a crazy thing that we are close and yet so different and live so far apart.

Risa and I have a history of "mice" -- in fact, we used to pretend we were mice as young children, and she has a nickname that stuck from one of our games when she was 6 years old -- I call her Herb!

Stamps on this are Penny Black (mouse) and Stampin' Up! for the sentiment. Papers are mostly Stampin' Up! but the scalloped oval is Basic Grey. Ribbon is May Arts and the silver cord is Stampin' Up!

Well, Herb -- this one's for you. I love you! Happy Birthday!

All is well on the Western Front

Or: How to get your strength back when your parents visit ;^)*

My folks are great -- you know, people who really care and love you and want the best for you -- but sometimes it can be really hard when they come for a long visit. They seem to just LOVE to complain about the time difference, the airplane, that I live in the country and that I live on an island, that I have two dogs that shed and kids that mess the place up, that I am not a neatnik, yada-yada-yada. You know how some folks are really helpful when they are around? That is NOT my folks I love 'em, but grandma doesn't do diapers, and grandpa is flat out afraid of being alone with the baby!

Yeah, I know it is not stamping, but it is getting there.

Yesterday I did get to stamp -- and tomorrow I am going to put some final touches on a few cards. I can't seem to find a tiny bit of bling for one of the cards... the other I just have a few things to add... assembly seems hard. Then I will photograph and post, I promise. My mom just looked at the cards and said -- "You spend so long on these cards, how can you just send them out" -- and you know, it made me realize how much I just want to do that! Send them out! I think as I get better at photographing the cards, it will be much easier to send them out.

And -- stamping, was just what I needed to get my strength back. Tomorrow my folks are on a visit to the Olympic Peninsula, and I am going to take that time for me that I can get when my DH is home with the kiddos, too. Ah, I love having family here -- but if I could just get them to be a bit more helpful so I could stamp more!

I have been turning my mom on to scrapbooking -- I gave my folks an album that I did for them for their 40th wedding anniversary (ok, it was 4 years late -- but it is done!) and now mom is getting curious about testing the waters. THAT gives me energy! I am hoping to get my scanner working tomorrow, too -- and then maybe we can scan some of the priceless old photos she is carrying around and damaging in her purse. I did give her a new mini photo album that I picked up via Creative Memories, so I think that they are safer... and we talked about photo handling... but I am not so sure that she "gets" it, yet. I think there is hope, so y'all Hold her in the Light about it, ok?

My father and I have been going around and around about a building project that I would like to start -- one that would gain me a workshop and a car-port for our vehicles (the sap from the trees is just awful and it would be great to protect our cars from all the falling debris where we have to park them...) My dad just is so bad about DOING stuff (he is a THINKER -- he just doesn't have those kind of real-world skills) he is afraid of the thought of building, I think. I, on the other hand, have shared housing with 6 architects over the years, helped my best buddy get into Harvard school of architecture, and LOVE the thought of making a building real. I was the person who contracted out and bought land and got my home put on it -- before I was married -- and I just LOVE the thought of having space to really LIVE and USE! Dad just doesn't get it. Not that he needs to -- I am just programmed to want his approval. Gee, I feel about 5 years old when he is around!

So -- stamping -- when I stamp I am strong. I am in control. I get to pick it. I get to play. I don't have to share. Shouldn't we all have something like that?

Fun Game for you to Try

While blog hopping I found a fun game here, on Lauren's Blog (who got it from Dawn’s Blog)

The object of the game is like Scattegories! You have to think of answers that start with the first letter of your FIRST Name!

I would love for you all to play!

Here I go!

Your Name: Julie

Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Joss Stone

4 letter word: Just

Vehicle: Jeep

TV SHOW: (barely watch any) Jakers!

City/Town: Juneau (I used to live there!)

Boy Name: Jonathan

Girl Name: Jessica

Occupation: Judge

Something you wear: Jangly Bracelets!

Celebrity: Janet Jackson

Food: Jam

Something found in a kitchen: Jello

Reason for Being Late: Jump-starting the car

Cartoon Character: Josie and the Pussycats

Something You Shout: Just Do It!

Now its your turn. Not as easy as you think!

I etsy!

Ok, I am just figuring all of this out -- but I think I have found a way to add my own goods for sale, without doing the ebay thing (not that ebay is bad -- just not the forum for handmade stuff, I think... plus it can be expensive...soooooo)

Have any of you heard of ETSY? Go to Etsy.com and check it out -- it is an online venue for artists to sell HANDMADE items! Very cool, very inexpensive -- free to set up shop.

Here I am -- click on the banner below and you get to my etsy store (and thanks, again, to Kara Jones (MotherHenna on estsy) for creating my banner!

Right now I just have one item listed for sale, but soon there will be more ;^) What a great way to tie it all in together, eh?

If any of you have ever tried etsy -- would you comment and share with all of us? Happy shopping!

The lows and the highs! WOW!

I don't know if anyone noticed how grumpy I have been lately. My last post is proof -- sorry about how I ended it... rather rude. I apologize! My 18 month old is cutting molars and nursing all night, and it has been about 4 days without real sleep. Very harsh.

Still -- I have some news that has me sooooo jazzed I think I will have a hard time sleeping!

I WON A CONTEST!

I have been all atwitter over the Lizzie Anne Stamps, as you might know. You saw how I was coloring some of Jolies Fleurs, right? Well, I was over on Lindsey's blog, saw the contest, was totally enabled to get some stamps... and submitted 3 cards. It was a push for me to make the room for ME to create, with the kids being very needy right now (and rightfully so -- they are young!) But my vision came through to Real Life ... and one of my cards took Best Overall. Check it out! The competition was _amazing_ and I am so honored to have placed! I don't think I could have judged it at all!!!

Now that it is all over, I feel like it is ok for me to post the cards ;^)* The top one I call "Fall Flowers" and it was surprising for me to work in those colors -- something I never do! I had a lot of fun playing with the "kissing" technique... let me tell you, it has real possibilities for changing the way you look at those bold, flat stamps

Thank you sooooo much, Lindsey, for the opportunity to play -- This is a really Big Thing for me, as I am aching to be on a design team for Lizzie Anne someday -- maybe they will notice me! Yay, yay, yay!!!

I call this one "Juicy Flowers" -- it was the winner!

See how it opens? This is a "signature" card of mine. I cased myself -- if you look in my SCS gallery, here.

This little guy is a 3x3 that I thought would be great for the "Out of the Box" category. I jokingly said to Lindsey -- this is right out of the box, and into the barn! I thought it would be a great "thank you" for a baby gift. I see so many ways to enhance this now... mainly I want to emboss a square around it just to "finish" it a bit.