Happy Birthday Dad

My Dad turned 60 this week. We had a surprise birthday party this past weekend. He has been retired for a few years, anxiously awaiting his move to Florida. Unfortunately it is going to happen sooner than later. My mom is retiring this year, and they will be moving this fall. I know, I know...a free place to visit...but I kind of like having them near by. You never know when I might need an egg, some dish soap, or a babysitter!! Alas they are leaving. I thought he might appreciate something new for their Florida home.

Summer Snowmen?!?

Working ahead is a good thing right? Craft fair season is just around the corner...and I am usually a procrastinator!!! Not this year!! (I'll believe it when I actually see it!! LOL) I made three sets of these cute little guys...all in different colors. This set is Buckaroo Blue and Vintage Violet.

I recently got this set in a trade. I have wanted Cold Play for so long. I tried and tired to get the actual circles to work and had a horrible time, so I decided to try just the faces. I really like the way that this turned out. I stamped the faces and hats in Pallete Noir ink. The speckles on the Blue set was stamped in Pallete New Canvas. This ink is a fantastic alternative to Craft White. Less mess is always good in my book!!! Hope you enjoy as well!!

A Fond Farewell

Alas June is upon us. June marks the end of the 2006-2007 SU! Idea Book & Catalog. With the end of this catalog comes the ever dreaded Retirement list. I am sad to say that MY all time favorite set is on "that list"!! Several of my club members have commented about Roses in Winter. I am trying to push them over the edge. *club girls if you are reading this....YOU NEED THIS SET!!* Is that subtle enough?!? LOL!

For this card, I stamped the main image on Shimmery white. I have a tendency to hoard that paper!! I don't want to use it, it is so pretty!!! I stamped the large rose in Pretty in Pink ink. The key to using this stamp set is the smooshing....Stamp your image and without lifting you stamp from the paper, turn the stamp a quarter turn. I believe it was Jeanne S who taught that on SCS. I can't get SCS up right now to know for sure. The quarter turn feathers out the image making it look fuller. I did that for each layer of the rose. The second and third layers were done using Regal Rose ink. Creamy Carmel ink was sponged to the edges of the scallop. I love that distressed look.

Out of curiosity...What stamp set are you most sad to see go? Roses in Winter...I bid you adieu.

Teacher Gifts

What I failed to mention in the post below, was that the Thank you cards were made for Gavin's teachers this year. The most info I could get from a seven year old was "yes" when asked if they liked them!! LOL!! Boys!!

I was so tickled with how the packaging came togeter. Each teacher got two of each design. I packaged them in Papertrey Ink card boxes. Eight (not so embellished) cards and evelopes fit like a glove. I can see my self ordering more boxes!! (After I run out, or maybe before I run out of the 30 I already have!!)

The Queen of CASEing!!!

I admit, I don't think I have ever had an orignal idea. As I sit here and look at the cards I've completed in the past several weeks, I think to my self, "Someday, you will be worthy!!" Every single one of them is CASEd!!! Valerie, Mish, Debbie, Beate, you name it, it's there!!!

Now I know CASEing is acceptable, but my downfall comes from the fact that I hardly change anything!! I can't think like that. I see something, a color combo, a stamp set, a layout, etc. I try to copy it exactly. Now sometimes I'll be bold and change the color of pattern paper I am using, but not usually!!



If you are an insane blog reader like I am, then you will notice that these cards are CASEd from non other that Val from Cal!!! I loved the concept of doing the same "design" and "theme" for each card. Valerie mentioned that she used a strip of Old Olive cardstock on each of her cards. Guess what the first thing I grabbed was...Old Olive. Now I could have picked any number of colors, but didn't (read said line above...my brain doesn't work like that!!) I have a feeling I will be using this layout again in the near future!!!

****A note on CASEing...We all do it...even if we try not to, but one thing to remember...Give credit where credit is due!!! Val I love ya!!****

Beate's Challenge Revisited!!!

I seem to need some inspiration from Beate in order to stamp. Not really, but I always fall for her challenges!! This by far, is not my favorite thing I have every stamped, but I think it came out OK. The Lockhart strawberries are the Stamp of the Month at Ellen Hutson LLC. Check out the little kit she has all put together.

I used True Thyme for the card base, then ran a piece of Sahara sand through my "faux cuttlebug" aka Sizzix. DTP with Tim Holtz distress pad. The patterned paper is from the big MME pack found at Costco. I added three Primas with distressed brads to finish it off.

I am quickly falling in love with the Palette Hybrid inks. NO BLEEDING what so ever!! If you look at the close up of this pic, you'll see that my color leaves nothing to be desired. I tried coloring with reinkers and an aquapainter. Either I need help, or I need to choose a different paper. But make note...the Hybrid Ink DID NOT bleed!!! So far, every paper, with every medium I have tried so far, has given superior results!! Joy and Ellen both carry the essential colors in their stores

Guess what? I already have something ready to go for tomorrow. Don't fall over and faint. I know what you are thinking...two posts in a week, something must be wrong!!