Peace Within

I love the Wednesday Card Sketches on Splitcoast Stampers.  When I need inspiration I go there and look at the different sketches.  Seeing a new layout usually helps me get started.  This was the case for this card.  It does not really look like the sketch, however, it was all I needed.  I had stamped and colored this in previously but had never done any more with it.  I used those "other" expensive markers.  The rest of the supplies are all Stampin' Up!  I used Julie Buhler's idea (her blog is Paper Pleasing) of punching 3 circles each, adhering them together, then adding Crystal Effects to make a faux brad.

Supplies:
Card Stock- Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Neutral Crumb Cake DSP

A Blog Award

When I started blogging I started a "Blogger's Support Group" on Splitcoast Stampers.  We check each others' blogs out on a regular basis and offer encouragement.  Donna Heber has been faithfully checking out our blogs and leaving very nice comments.  She has given me this award along with some of the others in our group- New Kids on the Blog.  Please check out her blog and the others in our group.  I think you will find a variety of styles and plenty of inspiration.  Thank you Donna. Donna's Designs

Now I need to list 8 things about me.

1.  I needed my son's help when I started my blog.  He is my technical support.
2.  I like to play Spider Solitaire on line.
3.  I have an inactive stuffed bear collection.
4.  I have a very hyperactive Springer Spaniel named Frye.  Even my vet agrees.
5.  I love chocolate.
6.  One of my vices is having my nails done.  I like them a little on the long side and red.
7.  I have recently been introduced to Country music and now listen to it on my ipod.
8.  My husband and I have been married for 32 years this March.

Polished Stone

I made this card as an organized swap for Stampin' Up!'s Convention last July.  I used the technique Polished Stone.  In the past, I had always used a metallic reinker.  Unfortunately Stampin' Up! discontinued them.  I substituted Champagne Mist Shimmery Paint and it worked just as well.  Basically you make a large sheet using this technique then use it as needed.  Starting with Glossy White Paper, put some Shimmery Mist Paint on a cotton ball and randomly dab the entire paper.  Next saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol.  Add several drops of Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, and Real Red re-inkers.  Dab onto the Glossy White Paper starting in one corner and completely covering the surface.  Let dry.  Stamp Upsy Daisy using VersaMark Ink.  Dip in Black Embossing Powder, heat set.  Mat on Basic Black then Pumpkin Pie.  Add Black taffeta Ribbon.  I often forget to wipe the surface with the Embossing Buddy prior to stamping with VersaMark and covering with embossing powder.  This is critical when using black embossing powder.

Eat Chocolate

The title says it all.  There are few things in life better than chocolate!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Eat Chocolate
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, DSP Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

A cold side note

As in many parts of the country, it has been cold!  Monday morning when I got up this is what greeted me.  Most days I love living in New Hampshire.  It was questionable at that moment.

Morning Cup

I had to return my Nook because it was not working properly.  I was able to upgrade to the NookColor.  My oh my!  I loved my old Nook but the new one is fabulous!  I guess I have been in reading world this past week and have neglected my stamping.  Sorry.

I am not really a tea drinker.  Nor do I like coffee.  However, my daughter introduced me to lattes and now I am hooked.  Mocha lattes are my "Morning Cup".

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Morning Cup
Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper, Rose Red,Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Pear Pizzazz, Springrime Vintage DSP
Accessories: Clearlits Scallop Rectangle, White Ribbon colored with Pear Pizzazz marker

Simply Adorned

This is my first attempt with a Simply Adorned pendant.  I wanted to use my initial.  I used the Charming and Lovely Letters stamp sets.  I stamped the background in black and added my initial K in Cherry Cobbler.  Then I sponged So Saffron and Soft Suede.  I used a piece of black DSP and the Embosslits Beautiful Wings die.  I added a pearl and adhered it with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Close as a Memory

I needed another sympathy card.  Someone at work lost her twin sister.  I cannot imagine what she is going through.
I used Early Espresso as the base and then layered Soft Suede on top. On the right I used a small piece of  Marina Mist and on the left another piece of Early Espresso.  Next I used Marina Mist wide striped ribbon.  I stamped the flowers from Close as a Memory onto watercolor paper using my new watercolor crayons. I used the the stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishes for the greeting on watercolor paper and punched it out.

Build a Blossom II

We made this card today with my Newport Ladies.  I took the basic design from the cover of the Occasions Mini Catalog but did not have all the necessary supplies so I improvised!  I love the color combination- Not Quite Navy, Peach Parfait, and Wild Wasabi.  We used the new Framed Tulips textured embossing folder as well as the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  We used Cajun Craze ink on the Peach Parfait for the petals.

Can you believe I forgot the SNAIL adhesive?  Luckily my mom lived next door and I ran (OK I drove) over and got some!  Thank goodness for mothers!!!!!!!

Build a Blossom

I needed a quick birthday card last night.  I had not yet used the new Build a Blossom stamp set and coordinating punch from the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  I think I will be using it a lot!  After stamping on Marina Mist with Bashful Blue, I punched out all of the blossoms.  How quick and easy!  For the center I used Rose Red on Rose Red card stock and punched it out using a 1" Circle punch.  I love how Stampin' Up! has so many punches that do the cutting instead of me.  Last summer, for one of my Convention swaps, I cut out over 90 bees.  Too bad they did not have a punch for those.
I embossed Certainly Celery card stock using the  the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and mounted it on Chocolate Chip.  I added a band of Bashful Blue card stock down the center with a piece of Certainly Celery ribbon.  Next I added a layer of flat petals.  On top of that I added curled petals using glue dots.  I added the center using a Stampin' Dimensional.  Happy Birthday is from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes.
The basic design is taken from the cover of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Thoughts and Prayers II

Unfortunately, one of my friends at school lost her mother recently.  I needed another sympathy card.  I wanted it different than the other one I made with this stamp set.

Supplies:
Stamp set:  Thoughts and Prayers
Card stock:  Whisper White and Always Artichoke
Ink:  Always Artichoke and Old Olive
Accessories:  Always Artichoke ribbon and Scallop Trim Border punch

Thoughts and Prayers

Last week I went to the  funeral of a dear friend.  She was a former teacher and was one of my stamping ladies.  Taffy will be missed by all.  This card was inspired by one I saw on Splitcoaststampers by Brenda Dean.

Supplies
Stamp set: Thoughts and Prayers
Card Stock: Rose Red,  Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Accessories:  Always Artichoke ribbon, Scallop Trim border punch

Happy New Year! 1- 1- 11

We spent an exciting night home last night.  I made my Christmas cards (yes, 2010s!) and read.

Here is a sneak peek at one item that will be in the new Occasions Mini Catalog 2011, available January 4- April 30, 2011.  I used the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Framed Tulips.  WOW!  I just love the effect.  For supplies I used Concord Crush ink and card stock, the DSP from the  level 1 Hostess gift, and Whisper White card stock and ribbon.