It's Saturday Sketch Time!

Thursday was day one in the new building. I cried. All morning. Then I just stared at all the boxes and junk in my room and wandered the halls aimlessly in the afternoon until finally I mustered up enough energy and mindfulness to start moving furniture. Luckily, that was all it took for the overwhelming feeling to pass (mind you...SIX moves in six years...I was so not ready to do it again). Friday was much better. I finally started unpacking boxes, and feel like things will hopefully go smoothly this weekend. Hopefully, I can get the classroom all unpacked and set up before Monday. It would be nice to spend some time planning for the kiddos! We start school Wednesday. Sure hope the new building is ready for students by then.

Do you think there's stamping time in the midst of all of this? Well, normally, I would say no, but this time, it's a yes! I had to. It's Lauren's Saturday Sketch time! Can't skip out on that kind of fun! One of the great things about being on her design team that I was really looking forward to was exactly this...forced participation! So, tonight I created a card about, what else? School. First time inking up these Kim Hughes Making the Grade stamps and two backgrounders from Cornish Heritage Farms. More stamps suffering from time to purchase, but no time to stamp syndrome. I just went off to find you a link to my backgrounders at CHF, but couldn't find them. Ellen Hutson also sells them at her online store. I used markers to stamp the images and I colored in the tree by using inks and an aquapainter. The little apples have Sakura Glaze gel pen on them. Can't see it too well. Crystal Effects might have been a better choice.

I also set up my new light tent in a matter of minutes to snap this photo. Seriously, no time to bother with directions. Not the best, but probably better than I would have gotten otherwise. Thank you, Ebay! I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunity to test out the tent as time goes on. Anyway, ramble, ramble...Enjoy!
{School recipe}
Stamps: Kim Hughes' Making the Grade from Cornish Heritage Farms, AlphaNumber backgrounder, Lined Paper backgrounder
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, SU! markers in Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Real Red, Summer Sun, and Bashful Blue

Okay, things might get quiet over here. I will post those POM class close-up photos and recipes just as soon as I can come up for air.

September POM Class

So often, I'm blog browsing and I see something just so inspiring. I always think to myself...I've got to try that. Then, life continues on and I never get around to it. Well, I'm forcing myself to take the opportunity by offering a Project of the Month Class (POM). This is a chance for me to try out some of the great projects I see others doing. Well, just a few days ago, I was looking at my new friend, Katie's blog. Katie is a wonderful papercrafter who lives in my town. Just recently we met up. It was fun to meet a fellow blogger, and one who's local at that. We hope to stamp together sometime soon. If you haven't browsed through her blog, off you go now to Katie's Paper Haven. Such cute things! Anyway, I saw an adorable set of owl notecards with a little faux tote. I was inspired to use that idea as my first Project of the Month. Here's a quick peek at the sampling of my cards, which use the new and yummy Hawaii Papaya paper and the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set. I created a set of eight 4x4 cards and custom matching envelopes using this tutorial by Cindy Lawrence. I will post close-ups of all the cards and envelopes this weekend along with the recipe.

August Stamp Club #3

This was the third project we made for August Stamp Clubs. Simple, but I think pretty. I love that it uses my new favorite color, Baja Breeze and the new Upsy Daisy stamp set, currently on special for 15% off. One of the things I like about this stamp set is its versatility. It comes with thank you, birthday, and thinking of you type greetings, and there's so many techniques you can try with the silhouette image. The butterflies are from Flight of the Butterfly. They are cut out and glued onto the top note with the wings bent upwards for some dimension. Don't you just love this top note die cut? It's made exclusively for Stampin' Up! to use with the Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine, now carried by Stampin' Up! The new wide double-stitched ribbon is wonderful too.{Thank You recipe}
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Accessories: wide double-stitched ribbon in Baja Breeze, Big Shot, Top Note die cut

August Stamp Club #2

Here's another one of the August Stamp Club projects. This one showcases the Eastern Eclectic Style Watch. I used the Eastern Blooms stamp set that I got for FREE at convention. I was inspired by this card made by Ashley Van Camp. I just loved the color combination and overall design. I ended up changing the layout a bit, but I kept her colors and main image idea. I pierced little holes in the scalloped edge and popped up the flowers on dimensionals. I can hardly believe I made a card without ribbon! {Thank You recipe}
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Accessories: scalloped edge punch, paper piercer

Three more days of freedom...

We're supposed to have access to our new classrooms (the district moved us to a new building for the time being) on Thursday. Usually I look forward to the school year starting. This year, not so much. Last year felt hard (loved my students though), and I'm just not quite ready to start again. Partly because I have the daunting task of setting up a classroom from scratch and preparing lesson plans, all within a five-day time span. I know once I get there, I'll get excited and be glad to see the kids again, but for now, I'm dreading it a bit. On the upside, I have a job, and for that I am grateful!

Saturday Sketch

As promised, here's my take on Lauren's Saturday Sketch. I used my Unity stamps again. I can't recall the name off the top of my head, but this set was July's Kit of the Month. This close-up shows the glitter on the owl belly and tree leaves.
{Friend recipe}
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.
Ink: Basic Brown, Mellow Moss
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Crate Paper
Accessories: moss taffeta ribbon, stickles, Copic markers, SU! markers, Hero Arts gemstones, oval punch

I gotta run. Have eight gals here working on their Recipe Box class. Thanks for stopping by. Remember to go check out what the other girls did for Lauren's sketch. Also, you can upload your creation to Splitcoast using keyword mytimess02.

Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Tamara Harder http://tamarastamps.blogspot.com/

Maria Levine http://riacreations.blogspot.com/

Dawn Easton http://www.TreasureOilerDesignz.blogspot.com/

Kirsten Dubosque http://www.kirstendubosque.blogspot.com/

Kristy Vernon http://www.kvernon.blogspot.com/

MacKenzie Bruckler http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/

Alicia Weiman http://www.happystamp.blogspot.com/

Saturday Sketch Coming Soon...

So...I do have the Saturday Sketch for you. But...I just finished it (it's 1:00 a.m. as I'm typing this) and I couldn't get a decent photo (can't wait for that light tent). If...you come back later, I should have it posted. I've got a stamping class here all day tomorrow, so I'll sneak off and get it posted ASAP. See ya soon!

August Stamp Club #1 and Another Award

Yeah, I know, I didn't come back yesterday. That's because I had nothin' for ya! I finally finished my Stamp Club projects around 1:00 a.m. and had to go to bed. I was slow moving, out of my stamping groove. The good news is that I now have today's project, plus two other cards, and Saturday's Sketch (not started yet). So, there will be blog posts a-plenty for the next few days.


Anyway, I'm back and I want to share with you a project that all of my club members will make at their first meeting, some this month, others next. I decided that I would showcase each of the three Style Watches from the new IB&C. Actually, I decided this after two of my cards already did that by accident. Such a good planner I am. For those of you who don't know, Style Watches are collections of coordinated products that emphasize a current trend. The three current Style Watches are Sweet Bella (a vintage, country type collection), Eastern Eclectic (floral theme with an Asian twist), and Silhouette (keeping with the current trend of silhouette prints and patterns).

The first project showcases the Sweet Bella Style Watch. This is a little notebook club members can use for their wishlists, to do lists, notes, whatever. Many of my gals have notebooks from last year that they may want to continue to use, so I thought I'd leave this one flexible. They can give it whatever title they want or stamp their name on it. The main image is embossed and watercolored with blender pens and classic inks. You can barely see it, but there are butterflies on the pink background. The words are stamped with Simple Serif alphabet in Riding Hood Red, and it's all tied up with that yummy new Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon. The club members will make this with 1/4-inch pink grosgrain though, since 10 yards won't be enough for all my club members, but I wanted to show off the new ribbon so I used it on the sample. The ribbon is attached with Sticky Strip. That adorable checkered paper is from the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper.


When you open up the notebook, there's a small pad of lined paper inside. It's the perfect size to record a Stampin' Up! wishlist on, use for a grocery list, or a to do list.
The notebook is from a 5x8-inch pad of paper purchased Office Max or Office Depot. They usually come in packs of 6 or 12. The store has a machine that will cut the pads in half to create little 2.5x8-inch pad of paper, perfect for making lists, lists, and more lists. Office Max has cut these for me at no charge. Yesterday, at Office Depot, they charged me, but it was super cheap, $1.50 to cut 12 pads in half.
Now, as much as I would like to think I'm brilliant enough to come up with this on my own...of course, I didn't. I first saw these little notebooks ages ago on Michelle Wooderson's blog. You may remember I made myself a handy one to keep all my internet logins and passwords on. You can see that one here. Sadly, those logins and passwords are still located on a stack of sticky notes next to my computer because I haven't made up the labels for them yet. Someday. At least my photography has improved slightly. Speaking of which, I just order a light tent off of Ebay. Now that school is resuming and the typical rainy, overcast days are looming, I figured I needed a way to take those late night photos.

{Sweet Bella Notebook recipe}

Stamps: Dreams du Jour, Simple Serif

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Versamark

Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP

Accessories: Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, black embossing powder, blender pens, sticky strip

Onto other news...While I was in California, Lynn Put left me an award on her blog. This is a fun trend. It just so happens, that every time I've gotten an award, I've been out of town. If that continues to be the case, I guess my next award should come around Christmas time.

I love the little logo for the award. It's so cute! Thanks, Lynn, for giving me this award. I {heart} your blog too. Have you visited Lynn's blog, The Queen's Scene? If not, what are you waiting for? She's got such fun ideas and makes the cutest cards, and I'm so excited she just joined the Great Swaps Girls 2 because now we get to swap together!

Here are the rules for playing:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.

Since I've had a several awards in the last few months, I've nominated so many of the blogs I love already, so it's fun to be able to pick out blogs I haven't given other awards to yet. Here are my picks:

1. Jenn at Stamp Your Heart Out

2. Charmaine at Oodabugalley

3. Beate at Fresh & Fun

4. Cindy at The Creative Closet

5. Jen at I{heart}2Stamp

6. Julie at PoeticArtistry

7. Wendy at WeeBeeStampin'

Well, I guess I've made my blog quota for the day. Thanks to listening to my rambling.

Wow Thanks

Hi everyone! We got back yesterday from California, and we're minus one puppy now. Sigh. I haven't done any stamping since I got back, but I'd better get busy because my new stamp clubs start this week. The card I'm posting today is a quick, simple card I made that was going to be for my Stampin' Up! new catalog Open House. I didn't end up using it, but I thought I'd share it with you since I don't have anything else. Tomorrow, I should have something for you using new SU! stuff. My order came yesterday. Yay! {Thank You recipe}
Stamps: Wow Flowers
Ink: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Pirouette Pink, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Three for You flower punch, black brad

Saturday Sketch

It's time for another Saturday Sketch! Lauren always comes up with fun sketches, and I love to play with them. Starting this week, Lauren is inviting everyone to play along as usual and then upload your creations to Splitcoaststampers. You'll need to check Lauren's blog for the keyword to use when you upload. Now we'll be able to see everyone's creations all in one spot. I can't wait to come home and browse the gallery to see what you all come up with.

This week I decided to use some of my Unity stamps and combine it with some American Crafts patterned paper that I've been wanting to use. This set is called Butterfly Beauty. Aren't the butterfly images just gorgeous! I added a lot of bling to this card in the way of gems and stickles. I should have taken a close-up shot, so you can see the stickles better. Darn! The sentiment is from Verve Visual's Here for You. This card didn't come together easily for me, and I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but it's really grown on me now.{Butterfly Possiblities recipe}
Stamps: Butterfly Beauty by Unity Stamp Co., Here for You by Verve Visual
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: PTI White, Old Olive, Whisper White, American Crafts
Accessories: gems by Hero Arts, brads by American Crafts, black craft wire, Cuttlebug's Floral Fantasy embossing folder

Be sure to visit the other sketch girls' blogs to see their takes on the sketch. Then go make your own and upload it to Splitcoast (remember to check Lauren's blog for the keyword you need to use). I can't wait to see what you do!

Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Tamara Harder http://tamarastamps.blogspot.com/
Maria Levine http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Dawn Easton http://www.TreasureOilerDesignz.blogspot.com/
Kirsten Dubosque http://www.kirstendubosque.blogspot.com/
Kristy Vernon http://www.kvernon.blogspot.com/
MacKenzie Bruckler http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/
Alicia Weiman http://www.happystamp.blogspot.com/

Inspired By Nature

This is a super fast, super simple card using a new SU! set that I got for FREE at convention. It's called Inspired by Nature. This is the kind of card you can whip out in five minutes when you need a last minute birthday or thank you card, just change out the sentiment. The grass is stamped in Versamark, and the greeting and flowers are stamped in Chocolate Chip Craft ink. Then the whole thing is embossed with clear embossing powder. I actually only meant to emboss the flower, but I forgot I stamped the grass in Versamark, so when I dumped my embossing powder on, it stuck to the grass too. A happy mistake. I have to tell you, I made another card with this set that I just LOVE! But I'm not going to post it quite yet, because I think I'll be using it for my September Technique Class. Once I have both cards made for that class, then I'll post. {Live with Passion recipe}
Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip Craft
Paper: Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Clear embossing powder

Thanks for stopping by!

Deer Friends Convention Swap

I forgot to post this card when I got back from Convention. I made this card for a small swap with some of the Great Swaps Girls 2 who were attending convention also. I love this little Deer Friends stamp set. It's a new level 2 hostess set in the SU! Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog. You can't see it in the photo, but I added some crystal effects on the reindeer nose and stickles on the star topper and carrot nose. On my swaps, I had added stickles to my Santa. BIG mistake! He bled. The red ink just sort of spread out. I felt really bad that I had ruined my swaps. I couldn't even fix them because I was working from my hotel room the night before the swap. In this sample, I also popped up the red layer off of the white piece with the images. {Deer Friends Christmas recipe}

Stamps: Deer Friends, Heard from the Heart, Polka Dot

Ink: White Craft, Chocolate Chip Craft, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip,

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Accessories: circle punch, chocolate taffeta ribbon, clear embossing powder, crystal effects, stickles, SU! markers in basic black, pumpkin pie, brocade blue, real red, old olive, summer sun, chocolate chip

Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Santa Rosa, California to turn-in Addy, our fifth service puppy in training for Canine Companions for Independence. She's almost 17 months and ready to go off to "puppy college" so she can learn more about how to be a good service dog. It's always SO hard to let go of these dogs. We raised Addy's mom, who became a CCI breeder. We also raised Addy's half-sister (from our breeder's first litter), who decided the working life wasn't for her and is now our family pet. It's particularly hard to say goodbye to Addy. We feel like she's part of our family, especially since Tanith is her sister. At least we adopted Georgia, so Tanith won't be too lonely. Aren't they cute all snuggled up together?

I've scheduled a couple of posts for while I'm gone, including one for Lauren's Saturday Sketch Challenge.

We Have a Winner!

I used www.random.org to generate the winner of the blog candy.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:31
Timestamp: 2008-08-13 17:44:38 UTC

stamp2embellish said...
I love the name of your blog because rainy days are my most productive and enjoyable days to stamp. My goal is to have my own blog soon. I'm learning. I check your blog every day for inspiration! Keep up the good work!Sonya Addington
August 11, 2008 11:36 AM

Congratulations, Sonja! Send me an email at kkgasper@comcast.net with your snail mail address, and I'll get these goodies off to you as soon as I get back from our trip on Monday.

I'll be back later with a card! :-) And I'll be sure to schedule a couple of posts while I'm gone.

Anniversary Birds

First, I really want to tell you how much I'm enjoying reading all of your comments from the previous Blog Candy post. Blogging feels a lot like talking to myself, so it's just amazing to realize so many of you are out there listening (or reading, to be exact).

I'm hearing you say that you're wanting some tutorials. I've gotten a few requests before too. I am going to give it a try at some point. Not sure if it'll be photos and text or video, but I'll figure something out. I certainly appreciate the little push outside of my comfort zone. Character building, I tell ya! If you have any specific tutorial requests, let me know. I know coloring has been requested, so I'll be sure to address a few different coloring techniques at some point, although I hardly feel like an expert. As you make requests, I'll either try to create a tutorial or I'll point you in the direction of a good one I've seen.

Now onto the card. I got this Anniversary Birds set quite a few months back, and just got around to inking it up last month. All of the patterned paper on this card is from Stampin' Up!'s new Bella Rose designer series paper. The two hearts are chipboard pieces covered with Bella Rose paper. This little birds have stickles outlining their wings. The green ribbon is actually the white taffeta ribbon colored with Kiwi Kiss. To color the white ribbon, I used a blender pen and squeezed a few drops of Kiwi Kiss reinker onto the tip of the pen and used the pen to color the ribbon. It's super fast, simple, and not as messy as running it over your ink pad or using a water and reinker bath. Oh, and see that cute little button? It's a new SU! button. It's got faux thread in it. Just a thin strip of Pirouette Pink cardstock. I saw that on another blog awhile back, but I can't remember whose. Clever though, right? This layout is one of Laura's or Kazan's from 2 Sketches 4 You. {So Happy Together recipe}
Stamps: Anniversary Birds by Verve Visual
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: PTI White, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Pirouette Pink, Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: SU! button, nestabilities, SU! chipboard, chocolate satin ribbon, white taffeta ribbon, blender pen filled with Kiwi Kiss reinker

There's still time to make a comment on the previous post to win the blog candy! Good luck!

Blog Candy

Last week, while I was at the Stampin' Up! Convention, my counter hit 10,000, so I wanted to give away some blog candy to celebrate and thank you for reading my blog. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling what you enjoy about my blog and/or what you would like to see on my blog in the future. Entries will be accepted through Tuesday. A winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday.

Here's what you can win:

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Saturday Sketch Time

It's time for Lauren's Saturday Sketch. I really enjoyed using this sketch and if I have time, I'm going to make a couple of more cards using this sketch. I used one of my new MFT stamps again. I use the word "new" loosely. I so often buy stamps and don't get around to using them for months. Shopping doesn't take quite as much concentration for me!

Here's my submission for the sketch challenge. I already had the image colored (used my Copics), so I just had to dig up some paper and supplies that matched. I don't think it shows up too well in the photo, but the flower centers have stickles on them for a little sparkle. The ribbon is an old retired ribbon originals from last year's SU! catalog. {Chamomile recipe}
Stamps: Chamomile by MFT Annie LaPoint image
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Paper: Conqueror White, Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal DSP
Accessories: retired ribbon originals, Hero Arts flower gems, stickles, Copic markers

Be sure to check out the creations from all the other Saturday Sketch Team.

Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Tamara Harder http://tamarastamps.blogspot.com/
Maria Levine http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Dawn Easton http://www.TreasureOilerDesignz.blogspot.com/
Kirsten Dubosque http://www.kirstendubosque.blogspot.com/
Kristy Vernon http://www.kvernon.blogspot.com/
MacKenzie Bruckler http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/
Alicia Weiman http://www.happystamp.blogspot.com/

I'll be back later today with some blog candy for you.

Retirement Party Stamp-A-Stack Class

Earlier I left you with this set of cards. As promised, this post includes close-ups and recipes for the cards. I am having a Retirement Party to say goodbye to some favorite Stampin' Up! sets. Each attendee will make two each of all six cards and stamp envelopes to match.

As much as I love the new In Colors, I will defintely miss this past year's colors, particularly Soft Sky. Goodbye, In Colors!

{Happy Birthday recipe}

Stamps: Bud Basics, It's Your Birthay

Ink: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, Bayou Blue

Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Bayou Blue

Accessories: rhinestone brads

{Find Joy recipe}
Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley
Ink: Green Galore, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion
Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Green Galore, Pink Passion
Accessories: SU! markers in Green Galore and Pink Passion, rhinestone brads
{Thank You Memo recipe}
Stamps: Office Accoutrement, Much Appreciated
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa
Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: celery brads, SU! ribbon originals, horizontal slot punch, Three for You punch{Hello recipe}

Stamps: Office Accoutrement, Much Appreciated

Ink: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: circle and scallop circle punches, stickles

{Thank You recipe}
Stamps: Artfully Asian
Ink: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Ruby Red, Old Olive
Accessories: chocolate brads by American Crafts, 5/8" chocolate grosgrain ribbon{Smile & Enjoy recipe}
Stamps: Be Happy
Ink: Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi
Paper: Conqueror White, Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: pewter jumbo eyelet, rhinestone brad, double-stitched ribbon

It's out with old and in with the new...

An Award & A Card Class

Well, we were supposed to come home from Salt Lake on Sunday, but we gave up our seats in exchange for airline vouchers. Never done that before but excited for the opportunity to get free airline tickets! We're already talking about maybe going back to convention next year...

When I was gone, my blog passed 10,000 hits! Wow! I just put the counter in back in April or May, so that's awesome. I'm going to have to get together some blog candy this week! Stay tuned.

I also received an award while I was gone too. Julia over at Create With Julia gave me this

BFF Gold Card. Isn't that sweet? Thanks Julia! What a nice surprise to come home to!

Here are the rules for receiving and passing on this award:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. Four of them have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

Four dedicated followers (not really sure if I have that many, but here are some very talented women who always take the time to say nice things about my cards...)

1. Denise at The Paper Landscaper has been leaving me such sweet comments since I started blogging regularly, and I always look forward to hearing from her. Plus, now she's famous, being a Dirty Dozen Girl and all, so I'll definitely have to keep her as a blogging BFF!!! ;-)

2. LeAnne at Wee Inklings was one of the first people to leave a comment on my blog and she gave me an award..twice. Love that woman!

3. Wendy at WeeBeeStampin often stops in with a nice comment. She also makes very pretty cards, so I like to visit her blog regularly too.

4. Pam at Paper Askew Studio always has something positive to say and she's so stinkin' talented! Love her Friday Card Flicks.

Somewhat new to my blog is Angie at Schwooo! We've leaving comments on each other's blogs the last couple of weeks or so. She's a sweetheart and makes such adorable cards! She lives in Texas, which isn't another part of the world, but it sure is different compared to where I live in Washington!

I will leave you with the set of cards we'll be making at Thursday's Retirement Party Stamp-a-Stack. I'll include close-ups and recipes later tonight or tomorrow.

More New SU! Goodies

This card uses lots of new Stampin' Up! goodies that will be available in the new catalog. This card seems totally different than my usual style with a bit of collage and busyness, but it came together quickly and I kinda like it. It uses some of the yummy new colors, new paper, and a pretty new stamp set. {Bella Dreams recipe}
Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Conqueror White, Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: nestabilities, silver brads, riding hood red button, pink taffeta ribbon, blender pens loaded with In Color reinkers

Technically, as I am typing, I haven't seen the new Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog yet, so I can honestly say that I'm so anxious to see it!!! I'm sure it won't disappoint! However, in reality, by the time you read this, I'll have already seen it and have my own copy!!! Wahoo! Oh, I'm not trying to rub it in, I've just forgotten my manners during a moment of extreme eagerness. But, wouldn't you?

Looking foward to being home and blog browsing all the good things I missed while I was gone!

Saturday Sketch

Happy Saturday! Lauren Meader, who as you probably know is one of my stamping idols, and she has assembled some gals to come up with some creations for her Weekly Saturday Sketch Challenge. I'm thrilled to be part of that group! On Tuesday, I was madly trying to get my card done before I left for convention, and I ended up with two. It was overcast out and I'm not an expert with photo editing, so I apologize for the poor lighting and the colors being a bit off. Here's the matching pair of cards I made for her sketch.

I really like these Annie LaPoint images from MFT. Just looking at them makes me happy!

{Take a Break recipe}

Stamps: Annie LaPoint by MFT, sentiment by Verve Visual

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Black, Lovely Lilac, Baja Breeze

Paper: Conqueror White, Basic Grey, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White

Accessories: white taffeta ribbon (dyed Baja Breeze), Hero Arts flower gems, Stickles, Copics
{Be Calm recipe}

Stamps: Annie LaPoint by MFT

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black

Paper: Baja Breeze, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Basic Grey

Accessories: white taffeta ribbon, Hero Arts gemstones, paper flowers, Stickles, Copics

I hope this inspires you to stamp today. For more inspiration, check out the creations of the other Saturday Sketch Girls. Then, go stamp something!

Lauren Meader http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Tamara Harder http://tamarastamps.blogspot.com/
Maria Levine http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Dawn Easton http://www.TreasureOilerDesignz.blogspot.com/
Kirsten Dubosque http://www.kirstendubosque.blogspot.com/
Kristy Vernon http://www.kvernon.blogspot.com/
MacKenzie Bruckler http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com/

Alicia Weiman http://www.happystamp.blogspot.com/