STAMPYRA

Blogging Again

2011-04-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

I was talking with Susan the other day about my blog. It has been forever since my last post. I think I need to get back into blogging. It is so much easier for me to grab my camera & film a you tube video. However, I realize that a picture can show more detail than a video. So, I plan to try to get back into blogging. I'm not sure how good I'll be, but I'm going to give it a go. I'll be back really soon with some pictures. I've been workign on some great mini-books. I also want to share some photo's from our trip to Epcot. The flowers were amazing. JIL

Stair Step Card

2010-08-29T01:23:00.000-04:00

For those of you that know me, this will come as no surprise. I love interactive cards. You know, cards that move or have a unique fold. I just find them fun. The Stair Step card is one of my favorites. It really seems like the new Posh Asian sets were made to fit the smaller parts of the card along the top and bottom. I learned how to make this card on you tube. This design is made by Dawn, my Stampin Up demonstrator. I used several simple elements on this card & very few supplies. I think the colors make a really bold statement. They kind of make me think of Americana type Forth of July colors. The stamps are all Posh from the Asian 2 set. Get them from I Brake for Rubber. Their link is in my sidebar. Also check out the talented design team members blogs in my right sidebar. There is so much inspiration. Use coupon code SAVE10JIL to get 10% off your order. Thanks for stopping by! JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian 2 Set
Papers: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Inks: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobler & Early Espresso, Tsukineko Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Supplies: PSX Cobalt Tapestry Embossing Powder, Gold Flat Backed Pearls

Flocked Rooster

2010-08-22T21:54:00.000-04:00

I just bought some flocked paper from My Mind's Eye. It's from the Haunted collection. I've been making a Halloween book with it & just love the look of the flocking on the kraft paper. So, I got to thinking that it would be really cool to make some matching tags. So, I got out my stamps, my glue pad & flocking and made some matching tags. Then I realized that Posh stamps will be erfect to flock. They're bold & have alot of surface for the flocking. I was right. They look great! The only problem is that the flocked images are not perfect for photographs. They look really fuzzy when photographed. Of course, that is because flocking IS fuzzy. It feels like velvet. It's just not that great of a look when photographed. So, please keep in mind that they look much better in person. I'm going to film a technique video for you tube. We'll see if it looks just as bad when filmed. I really hope not!
The technique is really simple. Just stamp your image onto kraft paper using a glue ink pad. I have both Tsukineko & Martha Stewart ink pads. Reink it wach time you use it after it's been put away. Apply a generous amount of flock over the image. Rub it in with your fingers in a circular motion. Rub off the excess & put it back into it's jar. Set it aside to dry. I did the background layer of swirls this way. I did the Rooster in different sections. For that I just added small amounts of different flock & then rubbed it in. I brushed off the excess & threw it away. Again, sorry the picture looks so blurry. JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian set 1 & 2

Paper: Kraft Cardstock, My Mind's Eye Life Stories paper, Black linen cardstock

Inks: Martha Stewart Glue Pad, Stampin Up Crumb cake, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Warm Red, Black Soot Distress ink

Accessories: Studio G flock in red, brown & teal, Gold flat backed pearls, Stamping up brad, Coffee filters (for flower)

Posh Asian Set Watercolor Card

2010-08-15T02:45:00.000-04:00

I am just loving the new Asian Sets from Posh. I suppose I could make some cards with my other stamps, but I keep going back to these. I am also loving the brushless watercolor technique. Blue is my favorite color, so I made a card in blues. If you don't already have these stamps, rush over the http://www.ibrakeforstamps.com/ to get them. Use coupon code SAVE10JIL to get 10% off your order. Della has such wonderful customer service.
School is going great. I'm in my forth week & still doing great. This 8 month program is going to fly by. We have so much homework & three tests a week. This first month has felt like a week. I'm really enjoying learning all of the medical terms & procedures. I have had so many encouraging & supportive messages from all of my on-line stamping friends. Thank You! JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian Set, Splatter It Up!

Papers: Canson 90 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Aquarel paper, Silver shimmer paper, Blue Cardstock

Inks: Adirondack Denim, Stonewash Blue, Meadow

Accessories: Quickuts Scallop border Die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Ovals & Ovals, Silver Pilot Pen, Mini Mister, Perfect Pearl Perfect Pearls,Crystals

Posh Asian Set 2 Perfect Pearls Card

2010-08-08T12:00:00.002-04:00

I just love working with Perfect Pearls. They are fast & easy to use & really add that wow factor to your cards. They work on all colors of cardstock, but black paper is my favorite. As I did was stamp my images using aVersamark Watermark ink pad. The I use the small brush that comes with the Perfect Pearls to add my powders. Then I brush off the excess. It couldn't be easier.
Be sure to get your Posh Asian 2 (and Asian 1 for that matter) from I Brake 4 Stamps. The link is in my right sidebar. Use coupon code SAVE10JIl for 10% off your order. JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian 2 from I Brake 4 Stamps

Inks: Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Papers: Black Cardstock, Canson Gold Paper
Supplies: Ranger Perfect Pearls, Pilot Gold Pen-Medium Tip, Fiskars Deckle Edge Scissors, Photo/Angel Corner Chomper, Round Corner Chomper, Gold Flat Backed Pearls

Posh Asian Set 2 Hidden Message Card

2010-08-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

This is a really fun card to make. As you know, I just love interactive cards. I found the deirections for this card in the resource section at Splitcoaststampers. I've made these in the past, but these directions really helped make it wasier.

As usual, remember to go to I brake 4 Stamps to pick up this set. She offers it in both unmopunted & mounted on ez mount. If you need any help with cutting & mounting, be sure to check out my you tube video under my name stampyra. As always, remember to use coupon code SAVE10JIL to get 10% off your order at I Brake 4 Stamps. The link is in my sidebar to the right. JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian 2 from I Brake 4 Stamps

Inks: Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Papers:Black Cardstock, Canson Gold Paper, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Penny Black Printed Paper
Supplies: Old Town Crafts Blue Medley Embossing Powder, Glimmer Mist-Pink Azalea & Moss Green, Pilot Silver Pen-Medium Tip, Hero Arts Flower Jewels, Paper Flowers, Martha Stewart Lattice Punch

Posh Asian Sets due to release!

2010-07-25T20:43:00.001-04:00

There are two new Posh Asian sets and I just love them. I'm sure they will be a big hit. Here s my favorite card I've done with the Asian set 1. I kept the card simple because of the bold colors I used. I just love how it came out.
I used the brushless watercolor technique. Just dab your dye inkpads directly onto your stamps & then spritz it with water. I added some Perfect Pearl (the color) Perfect Pearls to my water to add a shimmer. Once your stamp is inked up, you should get about three impressions. Just remember to spritz before you stamp each image.
Be sure to check out Della's post on http://www.clubposh.com/ under headlines if you are wanting to get the Asian Sets. Also, become a club member if you aren't already one. Remember to use coupon code SAVE10JIL to get 10% off of your order. JIL

Stamps: Posh Asian 1 from I Brake 4 Stamps

Inks: Adirondack Ink Pads- Meadow,Bottle, Red Pepper & Currant,

Papers: Riding Hood Red Cardstock, Silver Shimmer Paper, Canson 90lb. Cold Pres Aquarelle Watercolor Paper

Supplies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Ovals & Petite Oval Scallops, Pilot Silver Pen-Medium Tip, Mini Mister filled with Perfect Pearl Perfect Pearls

Another Vintage Card

2010-07-23T00:20:00.000-04:00

Hello,
I had this post set to go for Sunday, but I put in next sunday's date. Whoops. So, this will be a little late. I double checked this Sunday's post & it is all ready to go. I have a video on how I made this card up on You Tube. I really like out things look when they're aged. The aging process just tones down even the brightest colors.

Stamps:Stampin Up!-Well Scripted

Paper: K & Co. -Madeline & Life's Journey, K & Co. Pre-made Cards, Vellum

Inks: Vintage Photo & Tea Dye Distress Inks, Vintage Sepia Versafine

Accessories: Stampin Beatiful Wings Embosslit, Flat Backed Pearls, Flat Back Glittered Pearls, Flower made with Slice cut outs

Posh Sneak Peak

2010-07-10T05:54:00.000-04:00

Ok- So I have a bit of a sneak peak for you all. I got my mail today & the two new Posh Asian sets were waiting for me. Two full sheets of deepky etched red rubber from I Brake For Stamps. All for me! I went right home & started getting them ready for stamping. Part way through, I thought it would be good to show everyone how I cut & mount my rubber onto ez mount. So I made two video's. Remember this is a sneak peak. The sets will soon be on the website for everyone to purchase. I'll be working with them over the weekend & post some samples soon. Here are the vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shJfU-jV6MU

http://www.youtube.com/user/stampyr...u/1/8B72ywPXIi0

Posh stamps have a new home!

2010-07-04T22:30:00.000-04:00

This is old news for many of you, but I'm very excited that Posh stamps have a new home. They are going to be sold through I Brake For Stamps (IB4S) very soon. I have a direct link to the website on my side bar. Be sure to check them out because they have TONS of different styles of stamps. Be sure to use my coupon code SAVE10JIL to get 10% off of your order. You can use it over & over. I am really looking forward to being a Posh design team member with IB4S. Here is a Posh card to kick it all off.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I will plan to update my blog at lease once a week. Please sign up to get updates. As always I love comments. Please let me know what you want to see.
This card is very easy to put together with just a few supplies. I used the same Memento inkpad throughout the card. I even used it to color the ribbon.

Stamps: Posh- Watercolor Florals 2, Alphabet Background

Paper: Ivory, Dark Brown Linen, Green Linen

Inks: Memento Bamboo Leaves

Accessories: SU! Scallop Border Punch, Martha Stewart white ribbon

Happy Birthday Joey!

2010-06-27T16:05:00.000-04:00

I am soooo bad about my blog, I know this. I'm going to make a point of posting at least once a week. I have been busy over at you tube making video's. I find I tend to buy and then create in waves. I seem to be doing more buying than creating. I just uploaded a bunch of tags to my you tube channel. It's so much easire to talk about my tags than write out the supplies.
On another note, Happy Birthday Joey! My awesome hubby is celebrating his birthday today. Love you!
I'll be back with something of interest, either a card or tag. Until then, be sure to check out my you tube channel, same name stanmpyra, to see what I've been up to. JIL

FIESTA!

2010-05-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

I know I say every card was fun to create, but this card was really FUN to create! There is a challenge to use the Martha Stewart fringe scissors on the Spotted Canary forum. I got to thinking about the ways I could use the fringe scissors. I wanted to use them in a unique creative way, and I think I did. I made a pinata for a card. It's your traditional donkey pinata. I'm really liking it. I cut the donkey shape out of white posterboard. I tried to keep it simple. Then I covered it with bright colors of tissue paper that were cut into strips with the MS frings scissors. Then I added a google eye & a mane & tail. Please, let me know what you think of him. JIL

Stamps: Posh impressions Fiesta Clear stamp Set

Papers: Spectra Tissue Paper, Light Blue Cardstock, Green Jewel cardstock

Inks: Brilliance Rocket Red, Victorian Violet, Gamma Green, Mediterranean Blue

Accessories: Martha Steward Fringe Scissors, Eye Sticker, Silver Pilot Paint Pen

Club Posh May Birthday Card

2010-05-05T00:46:00.000-04:00

I'm a member of the Birthday Club at Club Posh. Each month you send cards to the member's who are celebrating their birthday. You get a bunch of great cards during your birthday month like I did in April. Here is the card I did for May. It is a stair step card like the one I made for my son. I learned how to make it from my Stampin Up demonstrator Dawn here: http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2010/04/awash-with-flowers-step-card-2-.html

Stamps: Inkadinkado-Cupcake & happy Birthday, Heidi Swap-Swirl, Stamp Camp-Linen background

Inks: Colorbox Chalk Inks-Dark Moss, Creamy Brown & Pink Pastel

Papers: DCWV-Mariposa Stack, Ivory Cardstock

Additional Supplies: Clear Embossing Powder

Here's a picture of my youngest son, Jon. He's 15. It's a bit blurry, but he was smiling so I had to post this pic.

Happy 17th Birthday Kane!

2010-04-30T22:04:00.001-04:00

Check out my latest youtube video. I'm having fun making them.
Today is Kane's 17th birthday. He's off on a date with his girlfriend. Here's his card.

Stamps: Stampin Up!-Sanded Background, Clear Dollar Stamps-Rock On, Inkadinkado-Happy Birthday, Posh Impressions-Splatter It Up!, Autumn Leaves-Gypsy Style

Inks: Brilliance-Starlight Silver, Colorbox Chalk-Dark Moss, Dark Brown,Creamy Brown, Versafine-Onyx Black

Papers: DCDW-Rock Star stack, Stampin Up!-Soft Suede

Accessories: Cuddlebug Star Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Nestabilities-Labels 1 & Fancy labels, Copics, Pilot Silver Paint Pen

Craft Pot Melt Art

2010-04-27T14:37:00.002-04:00

We went to Education in the Park on Saturday & Radio Disney was there. They were giving out Jonas Brothers necklaces. Well, I got one because it is on a long ball & chain necklace. I can use that! It had a guitar pick pendant with the Jonas Brothers logo on it. I wouldn't have a reason to wear that, but I thought I could alter it. So, I pulled out my supplies from a technique I used to demo all the time at Impressions From The Heart, my Fran's Craft Pan. It is a mini electric skillet. We used it with the Deep Impressions embossing powder (like UTEE) and the Pealustre powders. I put the pick in there & turned it into a cool skull guitar pick necklace. I made one for my son Kane & his new girlfriend Belle. Kane is already wearing his. Speaking of Kane, he's turning 17 friday! Wow I feel old. Here are the pictures of the finished Picks. I added a layer of Glossy Accents to the top & decorative paper to the back. JIL

Copic Marker Hermit Crab Card

2010-04-21T15:13:00.001-04:00

I've been so busy over at You Tube, I've forgotten to update my blog. I'm really finding it easier to film a video than to explain how I made a certain card. I will try to remember to update my blog each time I add ayou tube video. I upoaded two today. One is showing how to make a mini milk carton & the other is a TeePee card with Copic colored fish & hermit crabs. Check out the TeePee video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdj5jEBdYeo
I really lie making the TeePee card. It came out looking much more complicate than it really is. It is just 3 pieces of 6" x 6" paper scored in half. Then you attach the three pieces so that the points are at the top of the card. Hold it all together with a piece of velcro & you have a spectacular card. It does take a bit more to decorate. After all, you need to decorate three sides. I realy think it was worth the extra time to decorate. I have several views of this card so be sure to check them all out. Thanks, JIL

Stamps: Inkadinkado-Hermit Crab, Evolving Images-Fish, Hero Arts-Shells

Inks: Distress Inks- Vintage Photo & Walnut Stain, Versafine Onyx Black

Papers: Stampin' Up! Shimmery White paper, K & Co. -Life's Journey, Green Cardtock

Accessories: Copic Markers, Distress edger Tool, Glossy Accents, Ink Tool, Crystal Stickles, Clear Embossing Powder

My Birthday Cards

2010-04-07T23:06:00.000-04:00

I am so lucky to have so many great stamping friends. I have been getting Birthday cards this whole week. I am a member of the Birthday Club over at Club Posh. As a result of that, I got several more beautiful cards this year. Keep scrolling, there are many great cards to view. Thanks to everyone! JIL

Trudy

Barbara B

Debbie V.

Elaine W.

Janet G.

Jeanne L.

Joan P.

Judy C.

Kathy N.

Kay H.

Lois S.

Happy Birthday to me and...

2010-04-06T22:50:00.000-04:00

...My aunt Mary Ann & Cassandra. There were quie a few birthdays to celebrate in my family today. It's amazing because we have a really small family. My Aunt & brothers girlfriend and I all celebrated today. It is also my three year wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary baby! It's been such a wonderful three years. I received several wonderful birthday cards from my stamping friends. I will start posting them tomorrow. I thank each and every one of you for your cards and birthday wishes. They meant so much to me. Here is a picture of my hubby Joey right after he donated his hair to Locks of Love.

Shabby Chic Card

2010-04-04T19:11:00.000-04:00

I finished up my Shabby Chic card for the swap at Club Posh. I even managed to film my first technique video of my making it. It;s up on You Tube. Please check it out & let me know what you think of it. really need some imput on the video's. They're quite time onsuming to get finished and uploaded. It's something I want to do, but I need to know if they're being wathed. Plus, I want to know what people would like to see me do in the future.
Here is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekzOePazyA

Here's the easle ard open. I an't seem to stop making them! I soubt this will be the last easle ard you see from me.

Stanps: Posh Impressions-Large & small flowers, Inkadinkado- Garden Flowers
Papers: Anna Griffin patterned papers, DCDW-Mariposa, K&Co.-Classic K
Inks: Distress Inks in Tea Dye & Vintage Photo
Accessories: Slice Basic Elements cartridge, Martha Stewart Lace border punch, Paper Piercer, SU! mat pack, Glimmer Mist in Pink Azalea & Moss Green, Shimmer Spritz Sparkle, Perfect Pearls-Pearl, Rhinestone Brads, Rhinestones, Crystal Lacquer, Diamond Dust, buttons, Sheer ribbon, pink stitched ribbon

Birthday Cards

2010-04-03T13:18:00.000-04:00

My birthday is coming up and I have received several wonderful cards. I will hold onto them a bit longer before I post them here. I am a member of the Birthday Club at Club Posh. Each month you need to send a card to the members that are celebrating their birthday. In return, you get a card from each member during your birthday. How awesome is that? I have sent out cards to the April birthdays. I'm pretty sure I'm safe to post it here, they should have them by now. I went with a few items out of my usual comfort zone with this card, plus several tried & true methods. I used my slice to cut butterflues out of the card opening and then lined my card with Mariposa paper. I'm trying to use more patterned papers. I'm really liking the look.

Stamps: Hero Arts-Butterfly(stamped in white), Studio G-Butterfly, InkaDinkaDo-Flower, border & birthday wishes

Inks: Distress Inks in Tea Dye & Vintage Photo, Adirondack-Stream, StazOn Opaque-Cotton White

Papers: DCDW Mariposa, Cream cardstock, Acetate

Accessories: Slice Seasons Cartridge, SU! Scallop border Punch, Inkssentials Tool wiht foam pads, Crystal Stickles, Cream & Brown Flat Backed Crystals.

My son, Kane, needed a card for a Sweet Sixteen card. He wanted it to be girly & pink. This card is about as pink as can be. He mad a bunch of the design choices and I think he did pretty darn good!

Stamps: House Mouse Birthday, SU! Vintage Vogue

Papers: Bazzil pink, Lighr pink cardstock

Inks: Onyx Black Versafine, Momento-Rhubarb Stalk

Accessories: Copic Markers, SU! scalloped border & corner punch, Crystal Stickles, May Arts sheer ribbon

Here is a close up of the foam tape mounted full mouse.

Cleaning Day

2010-03-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

Today was a really busy day for me. It wa time for spring cleaning. The weather was perfect. Joey got up to go to work at 5 am, so I just stayed up after he was on his way. I cleaned my entire house except my bedroom. The funny part is that My intention for today was to go through my bedroom & find some clothes and things to give to Goodwill. I didn't even get to the bedroom because I opened up all of my doors & windows because there was such an awesome breeze. I ended up haveing to put the cats in the bedroom so they didn't go exploring. They are indoor cats so I couldn't have them outside. So, my house is shiney clean and ready for spring. Tomorrow will be my day to go through my bedroom.
A few days ago, I went through my stamp room and purged. If anyone is interested I have a list of my items that are still for sale. I posted over at Club Posh & got a great response. There are still several great deals to be found! Let me know if you're interested & I'll send you a list. Just send me an e-mail at stampira@juno.com. I've got more stuff to list. I was just really busy cleaning today.
Here is a quick card I did with a cute Stampendous owl stamp I picked up at Michaels. I will come in tomorrow and add the supplies. I am wiped out and ready to go to bed.

My You Tube Video's

2010-03-30T01:22:00.001-04:00

I've finally done it! I uploaded some video's to You Tube. I started with my stamp room. I figured I'd show everyone where I create before I get into some tutiorals. I ended up doing three parts because of my cold. I just kept coughing so I had to shut down my camera a few times. On top of that, my cats were fighting & the lighting was bad. My husband though it was pretty funnt to watch. I'd love to know what you all think. Please watch them & comment on them. Then, let me know what you want to see me doing for future videos. The next thing I plan to show is the mini paper bag book I made for Char. Here are the links to my videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et5pgz-53GQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLuWSGi6CDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJKdHZKmAU

Shabby Chic Flowers

2010-03-29T08:45:00.000-04:00

I joined a swap at Club Posh. It isn't due for a while, but I got to thinking about it yesterday. I need to make 6 A2 cards with the Shabby Chic ok. Hat isn't too much of a stretch for me because I love the look. Each card needs to have a flowers ribbon, a bow & a button. Fine, Fine, fine, what a button? I don't work well with buttons. I did one card with a faux button on it & it was ok. Ii can do a faux button, so we'll see how that turns out. I've been over at you tube again. So, whats new? Right. It has lead me to a new addiction http://www.ustream.tv/ They have no time limit on the videos! People are doing actual classes over there. I've been watching FollowingThePaperTrail (Laura who is followthepapertrail at you tube) and NsSnowAngel at U Stream. NsSnowAngel did some really cool flowers. So I made several of her flowers for the swap card. I used all paper scraps and limites supplies I had on hand to make them. I wasn't familiar with the Diamond Dust before i started seeing it on You Tube. It's not really a glitter. It chunks of plastic. They look like sanding sugar you put on cookies & cakes. I found mine at Michael's in the adhesive area. I got my jar with the 50% off coupon & paid $4.50 for it! What a great deal. They are fun and easy to make. Here's my version.

I have a close up view of them at the end of this post. They're just so pretty.

Here is what I used. Diamond Dust, Rhinestone brads (or any brad, I used sage green), Glimmer Mist (I used Pink Azelia & Moss Green), Shimmer Spritz Sparkle (I got it at JoAnn's. It's made by Tsukeneko & comes in packs of two in Mini Misters.) Crystal Lacquer, Vintage Photo Distress inkpad with a dauber, Mat pack & paper piercing tool. Light colored scrapbook paper scraps. I used some old Anna Griffon papers. Then you want some way to cut out your flower shapes. I used a flower from my slice. You can use punches or your cricut. You can even cut them out yourself.

Here are my flowers. i know they're hard to see, but I wanted you to see how I cut them out. I used the Basic shapes cartridge from my Slice Machine. I cut three flowers in 2" & two in 1". This is where you can really have fun finding the perfect shape & combination fo flowers for your project. Mine are all the same for the swap, but I plan to try different one's later today.

Anoter not so easy to see picture, btu thought I shouldn't leave it out. Spray your flowers wirh glimmer mist, or something similar. I then sprayed them with a layer of the Shimmer Spritz over the wet flowers. You can leave out this step & just use water. Maybe you have Perfect Pearls, just add a few pinches to water & make yout own mists. Whatever works for you, just get them wet.

Nowyou want to roll your flowers up into little balls. Do this step while they're wet. Then dry each one with a heat tool. I like to hold each one with my paper piercing tool. They will shrink from the heat. Be careful, they can burn.

Carefully unpeal each flower heat until they're completely dry. . Here are the one's I used to make each flower. Use your mat pack & paper piercing tool to add a hole to the center of each flower. Use the dauber & Vintage Phote Distress ink to add some brown to the edges & raised areas. Now you're ready to put them together.

I added the flowers to the brad one at a time. I put a little drop to the back of each flower to hold them together. They moved around when I didn't so this step. I applied some drops of the crystal lacquer to the petals & applied some Diamond Dust. Here it is all finished. JIL

Mustang Card

2010-03-28T07:57:00.000-04:00

I know I've mentioned it her before, my husband Looovvveeeeesssss Mustangs. Not the horses, the cars. We have two. A 2005 & 1965. They're his babies. He's going to school to become a mechanic & has some great teachers. He had an especially great teacher & he asked me to make him a card to give him. I've been waiting for this day with supplies in reserve. Last year, Clear Dollar Stamps released some cars and one of them was a 1965 Ford Mustang. I had to buy it! It was my first image I purchased from them & I really like the way it stamps. My husband picked out a piece of paper in Mustang Blue and away I went. I colored the car with my Copic markers as I look out the window to determine what parts are chrome. This card came together really fast. My husband & his teacher were happy with how it turned out.

Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps-1965 Ford Mustang. Hero Arts- Thanks You

Inks: Brilliance Starlight Silver, Versafine-Onyx Black

Papers: Stampin' Up! White Shimmer Paper & Bermuda Bay Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Accessories: Copic Markers, Silver Eyelets, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Diamond Pattern

My New Slice Machine!

2010-03-25T03:03:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting a die cut machine for years, but I haven't broken down and bought on- until now. I did a lot of research and decided that the Slice would be the right machine for me. It's small & will cut out anywhere on my paper. I just make a template for the shape I want to use and place it where I want it on my paper & then line it back up on the glass matt that came with the Slice. I made some flowers today. I had made some like this with my Prima paper flowers, but I was inspired by a You Tube video from Laura. Here is the link to her video. http://www.youtube.com/user/FollowThePaperTrail#p/u/1/8VkrTLC9BAs Be sure to check out her videos. They're great. She inspired me to get back into making mini books. I made a mini paper bag book & love how it came out. I put up some pics soon. Here is my flower that I made with my Slice machine.

So, like I said, I cut my flowers from the Slice. I made two flowers at 11/2" and one at 1". I used the Seasons cartridge that came with the Slice. I also used some patterned papers. This is a great way to use up those paper scraps. I heated up my Melting Pot with clear UTEE & added my flower. I used the purple tweezers that I got with the UTEE tools to take the flower out of the pot. It doesn't melt even though it's plastic. I set it one my non stick craft mat from Ranger. I did this with all three flowers. I had kinds shaped the petals of the flowers first.

As you can see, they aren't perfect when they come out of the melting pot. I use some scissors to cut of anything I don't want. You can really see the extra piece on the red flower. Then I heat up the flowers with my heat tool to smooth out any weird spots. I then used my heat tool to make the center of the first flower sticky and added the second flower to it. Then I do the same with the smallest flower. Then I heated the center of the smallest flower to add a hinestone that I colored with a Copic marker.

Here's the finished flower. I really love how they end up!

This is a view of the template I use to line up my Slice. I use a piece of white paper to cut out the shapes I want to use. This piece shows the 1", 11/2" & 2" flowers. I use the template with the piece of paper I want to cut from. One I decide where I want to cut, I lay it down on the glass mat lining up the white template to where it was when I first cut out the shape. Then I remove the template leaving the paper exactaly where I want it. I just love my new llittle tool! JIL

Tim Holtz Style Rose Tutioral

2010-03-17T19:56:00.000-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's day! It's been a while since I did step by step directions for a project, so I thought I'd do one today. My project is not green, but I hope everyone likes it. Please share a comment with me if you like this project. You can see Tim's tutioral for this project at http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/ in the sidebar to the right that is labeled 12 days of Christmas 2009.
My flower is much smaller. I used the Stampin' Up! 5 petal flower punch and then trimmed off the points of each petal. You can really make it work with a huge variety of flower shapes.

This is a variety of flowers I made using this technique. I used the Sizzix flower layers #6 for the larger two flowers. I used the Stampin Up! scalleped circle punch for the green flower & the Stampin' Up! five petal flower punch for all of the other roses. The small blue flower was done with a cut down SU! punched flower. I want to make more & more. They are really easy to make & use very little supplies.

I made this tag for Char and added a rose made with the SU! five petal punch.

Here are the supplies you will need to make the flower I am making. You really just need paper and scissors. I have been making the flower from paper templates I hve made to resemble the punches & die cuts listed. I used patterned scrapbook paper scraps, Glimmer Mist, Crystal Lacquer, Vintage Photo Distress Inkpad with a blending tool (mine is an old rubber stamp with velcro), Small point scissors and a paintbrush (anything round will work.)

I cut out four flowers. I used the SU! five petal punch shape & cut the petals down and then made it into a template. I drew the template onto the back of my scrap of scrapnook paper. I sprayed the paper with Glimmer Mist & heat set it. I then cut out all four flowers. I edged them with the Vintage Photo Distress ink & Blending tool. I cut a slit in two of the flowers, cut out one petal in one flower & two petals in the other flower. Discard the single petal. In this picture, it's the petal that isn't distressed.

Attach one petal on each flower over top of the petal next to it. Your two flowers ith the slit will become four petal flowers, the next three & the next two. I attached them with Crystal Lacquer.

Use your paintbrush to shape your petals. Shape each petal aroud the barrel of the paintbrush or any small round object you have. Smush the two four petal flowers into the table & cut the tips off of the bottom of each of the other three.

Put a dab of Crystal intot he center of one of the four petal pieces ad nest he other four petal flower into it. Nest the three petal piece into tat and then the two petal piece on top of it. Apply a dab of Crystal Lacquer before you add each petal. Roll the smallest peice around itself to form the flower center & put it in the middle of the flower. My hands are covered with distress ink and glimmer mist-lol!

Here it is finished. Isn't it awesome? Especially when you consider that it cost me next to nothing to make it. I did all of my work on top of my Ranger non-stick craft sheet. Love it! Let me know if you have any questions on this technique. Be sure to do a search for it on You Tube if you want to see this rose made live.

Enjoy! JIL

Father Knows Best

2010-03-15T22:25:00.000-04:00

I'm sure if you read my blog, you've noticed that I keep it pretty muchstamping related. I'll share a few things about myself and my family, but this blog was made to share my love of stamping with others. Char told me I have to post this on my blog because it is somewhat stamping related. Because of it, my husband refuses to bring me to Michaels again. I really don't blame him! You won't either.
Yesterday (Sunday) was a day for us to relax. I was putting together my first paper bag mini book & Joey (my hubby) was playing X-Box. After I made the cover for my book, I realized that my book would fit the cover better if it had another set of pages. I broke it to Joey that we need to get more mini bags at Michaels. After we woke up my son, we all headed out. The first Michaels we went to had the bags, but no chipboard books that I wanted. The one's they did have were marked down to 50 cents and I really wanted at least one. So, I convinced them that we needed to drive to another Michaels. When we got there, they had one of the books I wanted and I happily headed to the car. When we went to get into the car, my husband ripped his earing right out of his ear! Now, I say ripped, because I realize some of you may be thinking that his earing pulled out of his ear, but it actually pulled right down through his ear lobe. It started gushing blood. He still says he didn't even feel the earing come out, he just felt something on his neck. The girl that checked us out at Michaels was soooo helpful. She got him antiseptic wipes and bandaids. I will always appreciate her concern. We ended up taking him to the ER to have his earlope sewn back together. He felt that part!
After our ER visit, we went over to my parents house. I have to tell you all that I grew up in a wonderful suburban household. My parents have very traditional values. You know, no tattoos, no piercings, no long hair on men. My father feels that tattoos lead to infections and earings are an accident waiting to happen. They've been telling me this forever. My parents lost it when they realized my tounge was pierced. I wasn't a teenager, I was 32. LOL! My husband has all three of the no no's on my dad's list. As I told my father what had happened a smile came over his face and he looked at my husband and said, " I told you so. I told you so. I told you so!" So see, father really does know best. My husband has removed all of the earings from his ears and swears they aren't ever going back in, Of course this was all my fault because I made him get off his X-Box and leave the house to go to Michaels.

Posh Pandas

2010-03-07T23:58:00.001-05:00

I've been away far longer than I planned. I really need to get a schedule for blogging. I have been busy stamping so I have a bunch of things to show you. Ill start with my Posh Pandas. I got the Chinese set from SAM right after christmas. I got it out a few weeks ago & just love it. These panda's are one of my favorites. I did a card & an ATC with the same design. I made the ATC for the Animal ATC swap over at Club Posh right now. These wer really fun & simple to make.

Stamps: Posh-Chinese Set &Hope/Joy Set & Splatter It Up!, Hero Arts-Alphabet

Papers: Red Linen, SU! Shimmer White Paper, Penny Black printed Paper

Inks: Versamark Watermark, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Dark Green Chalk Ik

Supplies: Judinkins Enchanted Black EP, Sparkle Gold EP, Fiskars Deckle Edge Scissors

Where did the month go?

2010-01-27T19:21:00.000-05:00

I've been gone for a while now. The holidays set me back & I never managed to get caught back up. I finished the twelve tags of Christmas, but didn't get a chance to post them. I'll try to get a picture of them posted as a complete set. I've started my Valentines cards & am loving the way they came out. I'm also working on a few mini-books. I lost the cable for my camera, so I haven't transfered any new photos from my camera. My husband, Joey, finally found it for me. I'll post some pics once I get everything uploaded and sorted out. I also have some new cards for the Posh design team. I've been having fun with some colors that I haven't played with in a while. See ya soon, JIL

More Tags

2009-12-16T12:00:00.001-05:00

Making tags is addictive! I really enjoyed this project. I may have to come up with some way to display them. I've been using things that I have had in my stash for years. It feels good to finally use up some of these things. As before, I used mostly Tim Holtz products & ideas from his blog.

12 Tags of Christmas

2009-12-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

Tim Holtz is a stamping rock star & he is sharing his favorite techniques on his blog with the 12 Tags of Christmas. Each day he has posted a new tag & they are just getting better & better. I can't even pick a favorite. Be sure to check them out at http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/ . You won't be sorry. I've been playing along each day & I made a big mess in my stamp room. Those of you that know me know that I can't create when it's messy. I took a picture of my messy desk so I had proof that I can make a mess. I bet Char won't even believe it's my desk! I'll post a few tags at a time. If you want to know what supplies I used, please let me know.

2009 Christmas Tree

2009-12-10T18:51:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe it's almost Christmas. My tree has been up for a bit, but I didn't put the ornaments on it right away. My cat was spending most of his time looking at the tree. He's back to the sofa, so I put my ornaments on the tree. I showed you all the ornaments in another post & now I'm going to show you the tags that I've made over the years. They were really simple to make & I add more each year.

Stamps: Snowflakes, Design Block- Hero Arts

Inks: Encore Silver Ink Pad

Papers: Navy Linen

Accessiories: Large Snowflake Punches- Marvy & Ek Success, Small Snowflake Punches-Marvy, Branch Punch-Martha Stewart, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Clear Rox, Flat Backed Pearls, Self Adhesive Rhinestones

Snowflake Ornaments

2009-12-04T14:03:00.000-05:00

Every year, my Christmas tree is decorated with stamped tags. This year, I decided to add some stamped ornaments. I did a few dozen of each type of ornament to add to my tage. I'll post a picture of my tree as soon as I get all of the ornaments on it. I have the tree up. Joey put it up with the boys last frriday. The cat is spending an awful lot of time fo his time looking at the tree. It just makes me wonder what he has planned. I also did a mini tree, but it needs more ornaments.

This ornament is the newest of the group. I stamped the snowflake onto white cardstock & punched it out. Then I stamped the Joy wreath one another piece of white cardstock & cut it out with my Nestabilities. I attached it to a scalloped nestability shape that I cut out of a blue scrap. The white dots are doen with a white gel pen. This ornament is two sided.

Stamps: Snowflake-Hero Arts, Joy Wreath-Inkadinkado
Inks: Brilliance Blue Ink Pad
Papers: White, Light Blue
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Scalloped Circles & Small Circles, PSX Diamond Sparkles, Flat Backed White Pearls, Blue Ribbon, Bow Easy

Here is a picture of all of the ornament designs. I just used my scraps of white & blue papers. The Nestability Create-A-Flake snowflakes are in an earlier post. They were just die cut & put together with foam tape. I used PSX Diamond Sparkles on them. The bottom middle ornament is a bit different from the others. I stamped the snowflake by Inkadinkado in Blue Brilliance ink onto white paper & cut it out with my Circle Nestabilities. I attaches it to a dark blue layer that was cut with the scalloped Nestabilities. The whole thing was attached to a flat round piece of paper mache. All of the ornaments are two sided.

Just a random picture

2009-11-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

This is just a picture of me & Joey last summer. It was taken at Universal Studios. It's one of my favorite pics of us, so i thought I'd share it.

Easel Cards

2009-11-26T12:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I have been meaning to make an easel card for a few weeks now & keep putting it off. I haven't been stamping much at all the last few weeks. I go in spurts. There is a challenge over at Club Posh to make an easle card for winter & you can't used red or green. My first easel card was easy, I used blues with purple accents. I matches my house anyway. I made an ATC sized easle card. Then I got out one of my Martha Stewart clear stamp sets that I got 75% off after Christmas last year. It's called Gingerbread, so I went with browns. These ware really fn to make & i think I'lll be making some more.

Stamps: Christmas Backgrouns-PSX, Splatter It Up!, Posh Impressions, Winter Wonderland-Inkadinkado, Snowflake Background- Hampton Arts

Inks: Memento- Grape Jelly, Danube Blue, Summer Sky

Papers: Blue Linen, White Glossy, Lavender

Accessories: Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Recolections Brads, Martha Stewart Loop Border, Crystal Lacquer, Martha Stewart Snow Glitter, Anna Griffin Satin Ribbon

This is the larger easel card. It is 4"x4" and done in all browns. You can't see it in the pictures, but the entire card has a shimmer to it. I used the Champagne Mist Tsukeneko All Purpose Ink to make it shimmer. I filled a Mini Mister with Alcohol & a few drops of the All Purpose Ink & spritzed the card with it. Instant shimmer!

Stamps: Martha Stewart-Gingerbread set, Posh Impressions-Dasher
Inks: Memento-Rich Cocoa
Paper: Dark Brown, Kraft, Ivory, Tan
Accessories: Pilot Gold Paint Pen, Amber Crystals, Allegro Cuttlebug Folder

Friend Resist card

2009-11-23T12:00:00.003-05:00

This card is tons of fun to make. It is using a realy cool form of resist. I used pearlescent medium to get the background to look splotchy. In real life, it's shiney too. I started with a piece of white glossy cardstock. I sponged the medium onto the paper with a sea sponge. Do it sparenly, this area will remain white. Then I brayered over it with a Big N' Juicy inkpad. The collage image is stamped with Archical ink in Jet Black.

Pearlescent Medium is tricky to find if you don't know where to look. I have always used Golden brand and it used to be available at Michaels & JoAnns. They don't carry Golden brand anymore. You can still get it at your local art store. It's a bit pricey, so you can go with a lesser brand if you want. I have found both DecoArt & Americana at JoAnns & Michaels. It's under $4. I also like to mix mine with my re-inkers for a beautiful spatkle.

Stamps: Hero Arts-Friend Collage

Inks: Ranger Big N' Juicy Rainbow Pad, Archival Ink-Jet Black

Papers: White Glossy, Purple, lavender, Aqua, Light Aqua

Accessories: DecoArt Pearlescent Medium, Fiskars Deckle Edge Scissors, Pilot Gold Paint Pen.

Some Cuttlebug Cards

2009-11-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know about everyone else, but I love my Cuttlebug & everything it can do. The embossing folders are what made me want the bug. Now I use it with my Nestabilities & any other die cuts I have. It's such a versatile little tool. I did these cards some time ago for a thread at Club Posh. I thought I'd share them with you today.

This was a really simple card. i started with glossy paper & brayered it with a pastel dye ink pad. While it was drying, I sprinkled salt over top of it. Once it was all dry, rub off the salt. The image was stamped over the background with black ink.

Stamps: Acey Deucy
Inks: Archival ink-Jet black, Ranger Big n' Juicy Ink Pad
Papers: White Glossy, Black Linen, Canson Gold, Lavender
Accessories: Alegro Cuttlebug Folder, Fiskars Deckle Edge Scissors, Gold Dew Drops, Pilot Gold paint pen

This card was very similar. The shell piece is just brayered the same. The Cuttlebug background was highlighted with my gold paint pen.

Stamps: Shells- Stamp Cabana, Enjoy the Moments...PSX
Inks: Archival Ink Pad-Jet Black, Ranger Big n' Juicy Ink Pad
Papers: White Glossy Ink Pad, Light Blue, Dark Blue
Accessories: Shell Collage Cuttlebug Folder, Pilot Gold Paint Pen, Shell Nail heads

Tri-Shutter Card

2009-11-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

I found this card on You Tube on cards with Dawn's channel. She has some really cool cards that move & open in unique ways. I made one using the really simple measurements she provides. My card is done with mostly Tim Holtz inks & Stamps.

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous- Tim Holtz Collection, Stampin' Up! Vines Jumbo Wheel

Papers: Plum, White Cougar

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Fired Brick & Weathered Wood

Accessories: Grungeboard, Diamond Stickles, Felt Pads & Distressing Tool, Paper Flower, Flat Backed pearls, Pilot Silver Paint Pen

Black Magic Technique

2009-11-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

This is the coolest technique. I found it on a blog that was listed on Splitcoaststampers. I don't have the link or her name. My computer is acting stupid. Until I can get it fixed up, I don't have my favorites list. I may have a chance to so some surfing today to find some of my favorite blogs.

The concept is rather simple & lends itself to bold stamps & we all know I have about 75% bold stamps in my collection. Start with dark paper and stamp your image with a white ink pad. I prefer a pigment pad. Then color over the white areas with Prismacolor colored pencils. Start by covering the larger areas with a lighter color & add accents with the darker colors. I then come back in with a white gel pen to highlight some of the areas with dots or dashes.

Stamps: Posh Impressions- Julie"s Rose & flower border
Inks: Pearlescent Moonlight White
Papers: Plum, Light Pink
Accessories: Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Inkssentials White Opaque gel Pen, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Deckle Edge Scissors, Flat Backed Pearls

Stamps: Inkadinkado Clear Sets

Ink: Brilliance Moonlight White Ink Pad

Papers: Navy Blue, Cougar White, Light Blue

Accessories: Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Inkssentials White Opaque Gel Pen, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Cuttlebug Birds on Vines Embossing Folder

More Posh Impressions Samples

2009-11-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Stamp-A-Mania Posh Impressions release was a success! I didn't doubt that it would be. Here are some more design team samples.

This card is really simple to make. I just used my Marvy Blending Blocks to ink up the stamps before I stamped them onto white glossy paper.

Stamps: Posh Impressions Joy/Luck Set
Inks: Marvy Blending Blox Shades of Olive & Shades of Brown
Paper: White Glossy, Green, Sage Green
Accessories: Spellbinders Flower Doodles, Brown Satin Ribbon, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Foam Tape

This card is made by stamping a bold stamp with white ink onto dark paper. Then color the image with colored pencils. It's a really great way to bring more depth to your bold stamps.

Stamps: Posh Impressions Joy/Luck Set
Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Moonlight White Ink Pad
Papers: Black Linen, Cougar White
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Circles, Green Flat Backed Pearls, Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Foam Tape

Posh Impressions & Stamp-A-Mania

2009-11-04T12:00:00.001-05:00

I hope some of you were able to make it to the convention to see the new Posh Impressions stamps being sold through Stamp-A-Mania. The design team has been working hard to make samples for the existing stamp sets. Here are some of my samples. I'll be posting more as there are more stamps available.

This card was really simple to make. I just brayerd all three shades of blue onto matt cardstock. Brayer a small patch of pitch black towards the top of the car. Stamp the image with the pitch black ink pad. Trace around the images with the white gel pen. This card was inspired by Michelle Zindorf.

Stamps: Posh Impressions Joy/Luck Set

Inks: Adirondack Ink Pads in Denim, Stream, Stonewashed & Pitch Black

Papers: White Cougar, Black Linen

Accessories: brayer, Inkssentials Opaque White Gel Pen

The flowers were watercolored. Color a watercolor crayon onto the stamped image. Use a few different colors. Spritz the stamp with water & stamp onto watercolor paper.

Stamps: Posh Impressions Joy/Luck Set

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Ink Pads, Crimson & Orchid

Papers: Canson Watercolor paper, Plum Linen, Light Pink

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Mega Rectangles & Small Mega Scalloped Rectangles, Dew Drops, Pilot Gold Paint Pen, Niji Watercolor Crayons

New Medallion Stamp

2009-11-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

I just got the Medallion stamp from Stampin' Up! along with the new in color re-inkers and some of the Champagne mist shimmer paint. I am in love with all of it. I mixed the re-inker with the shimmer paint with a two to one ratio, using one part ink & two parts shimmer. Then I pounced it onto my stamp with a paint dauber. I saw this technique on Andrea Walfords you tube videos. You can just search her name. She makes some great videos. Once I stamped them onto my paper, I filled in the background with my Posh Splatter It Up! stamp using the same technique. I pulled the inked dauber along the edges of my top layer. I added rhinestones & flat backed pearls in selected areas of the medallion. I ended up making several sets of five to go into the gift boxes I showed you in an earlier post. I'm going to need more shimmer paint! The good thing is that the paints are made by Tsukeneko and can be easily found with a yahoo search. The one's sold by Stampin' Up! are quite expensive so I had to find another source. Here are the five colors I made. I didn't list supplies for each card. They're all the same with just a change in color.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween! I have a few halloween boxes to share with you. We always have a halloween party & this year I used my Crafters Companion to make some treat boxes. They were super easy & rather fun to make. I've ben trying to simplify some of my stamping while I use stamps & products I've been holding onto too long. It goes along wiht my need to use up my scraps & conserve my full sheets of paper. These projects feel into that category. The coffin is made with a glosy patterned paper I've been holding onto for years. I wanted to keep it for the perfect project. That's just silly! I realized that when I lost most of my papers when my stamp room flooded. So, I got them out to make some spooky coffins. I was going to decorate them, but the paper was the decoration. I put skull & crossbones candy in them. The other box is made with my Nestabilities Labels 1 that I had to have & haven't used much. I also used a $1 clear stamp & scraps. I put two peanut butter cups in each one. I love how they turned out. I think they'll be a big hit at the party.

This coffin was made with my Crafters Companion Ultimate tool. I used the magic ruler technique that is explained in the video that came with the tool. I thought the glossy paper was perfect to make a coffin. Don't you?

I cut two labels 1 pieces out of burgandy scrap paper. I then made a small box with the box maker portion of my ultimate tool out of black linen paper. The labels are attached to the top & bottom of the box.

Stamps: Happy Halloween-Inkadinkado, Scratched-Stampin' Up!

Inks: Moonlight White Brilliance Pearlescent Ink Pad

Paper: Black Linen, Burgandy Linen

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1, Black Flat-Backed Pearls

My Updated Stamp Room

2009-10-29T12:00:00.001-04:00

I'm going to show you the updated pictures of my stamp room. Some things have changed in the last few months. I've added in some Alex drawers from Ikea. I just love them! Each drawer holds two of the big clear trays I use to hold my stamps, only I put embelishments in them. I got rid of my Iris carts. The Alex drawers hold more in less space. The best part is that they were onlt $75 each at Ikea. I've been able to keep next to nothing on my countertops. Like before, my stamp room is just half of a room. The main change is that the carpet is gone. This wasn't by choice, my stamp room flooded while I was in the hospital over the summer. We had a pipe burst in the wall and figure it was leaking for over a week. We took out all of the carpet & my stamp room is all cement until we can decide how we want to do the floors. We're leaning towards tile. We've also painted the room with two shades of blue paint. My old stamp room is shown in my earlier posts. It has some more detailed pictures. This is just to show the changed layout. I'll come back with some organization tips in another post.

This is the top of my Alex drawers. It's where my stamp room starts at the back of the wall. I have two smaller stamp drawers with a mail center on top of it. All of my ribbons sit on the drawers.

This is a view of both of the Alex drawers. Right next to them is my stamp cabinets. I have my Cuttlebug 7 toaster oven on top of this cabinet.

This is my other cabinet with the paper cutter on top. The rainbow drawers hold all of my unmounted stamps. They are all labeled so i can easily find them. All of my mounts are in the top left hand drawer. They're really easy to get to because they are right next to my stamp desk.

This is my stamp desk. It is set into half of the closet. It's not as messy as it looks. The back is cork board. I tack up many of my embelishments & a color wheel. Plus I have some artwork on it. I keep my favorite tools in the revolving caddy & then my colored pencils are in cups. I use a foam place mat covered in the Ranger non-stick surface to stamp onto.

This is the top of my stamp desk. I keep my pre-folded A2 cards in the cubby. I also have my Tim Holtz reinkers & double stick tape in that cubby. The two recipe boxes are actually my Cuttlebug embossing folders. My husband made me ink pad holders out of foam core. I found the instructions on Splitcoaststampers. I have one other on the shelves next to my table.

I have two paper racks right next to my desk. They fit perfectly on the piece of wall that seperates the two closets. I got these from Impressions From the Heart when they went out of business. I miss the store, but I really love having the paper racks.

Fall Cards

2009-10-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

I'm still enjoying making fall cards. I've been busy making card samples for the Stamp-A-Mania design team. They have their first convention in Arizona this Saturday. I'll post those samples this week. I have a House Mouse card & a pumpkin card to show you this week.

Stamps: Fall Wreath-House Mouse. Background-Stampa Rosa, Dots & Flowers-Hero Arts

Inks: Tuxedo Black Mementos Ink Pad, Versamark Watermark Ink Pad, Brilliance Coffee Brown

Papers: Tan, Dark Green, Cougar White

Accessories: Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Gamsal, Blending Stumps, Powder Keg Embossing Powders-Timber/ Butterscotch, Pilot Gold Paint Pen, PSX Diamond Sparkles

This card is done with all Art Impressions stamps. Just color the stamp with Brushart Markers and stamp them onto watercolor paper. Then take your watercolor brush & lightly wet the image. I just love the look.

Stamps: Art Impressions

Inks:

Papers: Canson Watercolor, Dark Green Linen, Copper Sparkle Paper, Sage Green

Accessories: Marvy Brush Tip Markers, Waterbrush, Cuttlebug embossing folders Distressed Stripes/Swiss Dots, Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

What I've done with my Crafters Companion Ultimate Tool

2009-10-25T12:00:00.001-04:00

I got hte Ulitmate tool from Char for Christmas last year and have really been enjoying it. I've made a few cards fromt he long video that came with it. I have also made a quite a few boxes & a bunch of envelopes. Here are two of the cards that I made with it. I'll post some of the boxes as I decorate them.

The K-Card is my favorite card I've made with the tool so far. I used the amaller butterfly shape on the board to emboss the image & then cut it out. I then followed the video to make the card.

Stamps: Stampin' Up- Soft Summer & Baroque Motifs, Posh Impressions-Splatter It Up!

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Ink Pads Crimson & Orchid & Galaxy Gold

Paper: Light Pink, Plum, Sage

Accessories: Flat backed Pearls, Pilot Silver Paint Pen

I used the Ultimate tool on two parts of this card. i obviously used it to make the folds in the card. It's kind of like a gate fold card with both of the folds on one side. I also used the tool to score the edge of the card with the large scallops. I like how it turned out.

Stamps: Flowers-Magenta, Splatter It Up!-Posh Impressions

Inks: Black Staz-On, Brilliance Pearlescent Ink Pads- Crimson & Evergreen

Paper: Sage, Plum, Light Pink, Old World Stack, Transparency

Accessories: Art Institute Glitter & Clear Glitter Glue, Cuttlebug Fleur-de-Lis Folder, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

Some of my Christmas Cards

2009-10-23T12:00:00.001-04:00

I've finished my Christmas cards & have a few ready to post. I made several different designs. Some are simply & some are complex. I send the more complex cards to people I know keep my cards. Here are two of the simpler cards this year.

This card is watercolored with Twinkling H20's and a water brush. I bought this image a few years ago & finally used it this year.

Stamps: Bird-Impression Obsession, Wishing you...-Penny Black, Background-Hero Arts

Inks: Onyx Black Versafine Ink Pad, Brilliance Pearlescent Galaxy Gold

Paper: Canson Watercolor Paper, Green & Red

Accessories:Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Rectangles & Large Scalloped Rectangles, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

This is a simple card that was fun to design. Just ink the whole stamp with Rocket Red & then tap the Crimson pad onto the edges.

Stamps: Inkadinkado

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Inkpads in Rocket Red & Crimson, StazOn Cotton White Opaque Ink Pad

Papers: Light Pink, Burgandy Linen

Accessories: Deckle Edge Scissors

Club Posh Challenge Cards & SAM Announcement

2009-10-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

Stamp A Mania (SAM) is going to start selling unmounted Posh Impressions stamps. I don't know about you all, but that makes me happy! I love to buy my stamps unmounted because I don't keep the wood from any of my stamps. They will be at two conventions this year. Be sure to check them out if you are int he area.

2009 Rubber Stamp Conventions

Albuquerque, NM
October 31-November 1
New Mexico State Fairgrounds
Promoted by Rubber Stamp Events

Mesa, AZ
November 7 & 8
Mesa Centennial Center
Promoted by Rubber Stamp Events

Club Posh is a great stamping community. I think it is composed of some of the friendliest stampers on the net. Be sure to check it out. They have Challenges that always have a twist. They're really fun to participate in & open to all members with no deadline. These two cards are for the challenges.

The first challenge was to make a Scrapling with a travel theme. I chose to do Oriental. I ended up attaching the Scrapling to a card. I just wasn't sure I'd ever send out such a small card. The images were all colored with a black & red Marvy Brush Art marker direct to rubber.

Stamps: Oriental Gardens & Joy Luck Set- Posh Impressions
Inks:
Paper: Red Linen, White Glossy, Black Glossy
Accessories: Marvy Brush Art Markers, Swarovski Crystals, Stampin' Up! Tab Punch, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

The next card was for the fall challenge. The twist, we couldn't use orange. Lucky for us, there are tons of fall colors with no orange. All of the images are simply colored with Powder Keg embossing powders.

Stamps: Wheat-Posh Impressions

Inks: Versamark Watermark Ink Pad

Paper: Various shades of tans

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4, Powder Keg Embossing powders-Buttered Rum, Fall Splendor & Timber

Kitchen Sink Stamps Challenge

2009-10-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

There is a fun challenge over at Kitchen Sink Stamps. It is a really cool idea. 123 stamping. Use 1 pop dot, 2 embelishments & 3 stamped images. I had a great time coming up with a card for this challenge. I really like the way their stamps work. The backgrounds are very hard to see, but they were done with the Spellbinder Flower Impressabilities.

Stamps: Pansies-Kitchen Sink Stamps

Inks: Stampin' Up! Ink Spots

Papers: Light Pink, Plum Linen

Accessories: Spellbinders Impressabilities Flowers, Spellbinders Nestability Large Ovals & Large Scalloped Ovals & Large Rectangles & Large Scalloped Rectangles, Pearls colored with Copic markers, Martha Stewart Silk Ribbon

How about some Thanksgiving cards?

2009-10-17T13:41:00.000-04:00

I did my Thanksgiving cards a few days ago & thought I'd share them. I only made a few of each one because I'm not sending out that many. Fall colors are my favorite pallet to work with.
This is a Riley image. I think this silly little moose is cute. I stamped out a bunch of Riley images during Copic certification & ended up getting a few stamps as a result. I find him really easy to color with my Copics.

Stamps: Pilgram Riley-Hanna Stamps, Leaves-Inkadinkado, Tiny Leaves-Sandee's

Inks: Tuxedo Black Mementos Ink Pad, StazOn Opaque Buttercream Ink Pad, Pearlescent Brilliance Ink Pad in Rust, Thyme, Chocolate

Paper:Brown Linen, Red Pepper Linen, Neena, Canson Gold, Cream

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Circles & Large Rectangles & Large Deckled Rectangles, Rust Flat Back Pearls

This card is inspired by Michelle Zindorf. She has the best projects on her blog. She stamps & colors an image, then uses the Versamark Watermark pen to add clear embossing to the image (that's what I did to the leaves) so they resist the background. She them brayers and drags her ink across the backkground. As you can tell, I've simplified her process. Be sure to check out her blog at http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Stamps: Text Leaves-Hampton Arts, So Blessed-Hero Arts, Leaves-Inkadinkado

Inks: Tuxedo Black Mamantos Ink Pad, Tim Holtz Distress Inkpads

Paper: Cougar White, Dark Brown Linen, Tan

Accessories: Versamark Watermark Pen, Copics, Clear Embossing Powder

Christmas project & some more cards

2009-10-16T09:50:00.000-04:00

Hello,

I've been busy stamping again this week. I have dozens of cards ready to add to my blog. I just have to take the time to add them. I'm going to change up the format a bit so I can get more cards up with less chat. Below each card I will list the supplies I used. I will add in directions on anything that I feel may need it. There are quite a few pictures today. I'll start with my Christmas gift project that is still in progress. I still need to refine it a bit by adding things like a velcro closure & the cards & envelopes. The cards will be a few all occasion cards.

This is a gift box that I am making for a few people on my Christmas list. It is designed to hold up to 10 cards & envelopes. I saw the design for this box at a stamping site and it was just $5 to download it. When I asked my hubby for the credit card he asked me to try making it first. If I couldn't figure it out, he's let me download it. We went into the stamp room and designed it. The base, which is the navy blue paper, is made from 4 sheets of paper. The insert pieces were cut with the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1. I really love how it's turning out.

Stamps: Snowflake-Unknown

Paper: Navy Blue Linen, Light Blue Linen

Ink: Mediterranean Blue Brilliance Ink Pad

Accessories: Spellbinders Build A Flake 1, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1, Pilot Silver Paint Pen, Swarovski Crystals

I got the Spellbinders Create A Flake 1 Dies to make ornaments for my Christmas tree. My tree has all handmade ornaments. I have several tags that I've made over the years in shades of blues with touches of white & silver. I've been enjoying adding to it every year. This year I'm adding the snowflakes. They are doubled so you can see the snowflake from the front or back. They are simply cut out of scraps. I added a bit of Sparkles Diamonds from PSX, it's the same as clear Stickles. I've made 16 so far. I am thinking about getting the Create A Flake 2 set to make some more.

This Card was made for a stamper over at Club Posh- Sandollar. She sent me some of her awesome scrap papers. Last week, I went through all of my stamps determined to start using the one's I haven't used before. I came up with less than I expected. However, this horse & foal were among the pile. I bought it over 10 years ago! I watercolored it using Tombo markers.

Stamps: Mare & Foal-Stampendous, Friends 24/7-Stampin' Up!, Sanded-Stampin' Up!

Paper: Canson Watercolor Paper,

Ink: Onyx Black Versafine Ink Pad, Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance Ink Pad

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4 & Large Circles & Large Classic Scallop Circles, Tombo Markers, Water Brush, Clear Embossing Powder, Bronze flat backed Pearls, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

I made this card for Char. No reason. I found the View Finder card directions in the resource section of Splitcoast stampers. I've been making a lot of cards that do something lately & loved this idea. I came together really easily. The designer used the colluzel circles for her card. I just used my circle Nestabilities.

Stamps: Clear stamps from Inkadinkado, Friends 24/7-Stampin' Up!

Papers: Dark Green Linen, Light green speckled Linen

Ink: Pearlescent Brilliance Inkpads in Rocket Red/Chocolate/Olive/Thyme/Rust. Olive Green Colorbox Chalk Inkpad

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Classic Scallop Circles & Large Circles & Labels 4, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Up! Tab Punch, Pilot Gold Paint Pen

My last card for today is another Halloween card. I am done with my Halloween cards. I made more designs than I have to send to people. LOL! I just have fun with halloween. This card is from Stampin with Dawn over at you tube. If you haven't looked her up before, you should. She has some great videos. This card is called a plastic shopping bag double slider card. It was really easy to make & I love how it came out.

Stamps: Sanded-Stampin' Up!, Clear stamps from Inkadinkado

Paper: Olive green and Light Olive Green Bazil Papers

Ink: Onyx Black Versafine

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1, Martha Stewart Spiderweb Border & Corner Punches, Stampin' Up! Tab Punch, Corner Punch, Bronze Flat Backed Pearls, Pilot Silver Paint Pen

House Mouse Monday Challenge Design Team Call

2009-10-09T01:24:00.000-04:00

There is a Design Team (DT) call over at the House Mouse Monday Challenge blog (http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/) & I've decided to give it a try. I haven't been on a DT since I left Club Posh & Impressions From the Heart (my favorite stamp store) closed. I figure it's time to give it a try. I am on a DT right now, but it hasn't been announced yet. Believe me, you'll hear about it once we're up & running.

The DT call asks for a new card using my beloved House Mouse images. I decided to create a few cards & pick from them. Then I decided that I may as well post them all & show everyone what I've been working on. I just love those silly little mice & have soooo many images that I've collected over the years. Most of my mice are from Stampa Rosa, but I do have a few of the new images. There are several cards.

This mouse was colored using my Copic Markers. I stamped the image onto smooth white paper (it's labeled Maco's paper) with my Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad. The background stamp is from Impression Obsession and the greeting is from Inkadinkado. The image on the labels is from Hero Arts. I used Spellbinders Labels 4 & the ribbin tags.

This is the front of my wiper card. There is a how-to video over at Splitcoast stampers. It's a really fun card. The pumpkin is from Inkadinkado. The Splatter stamp is from Posh Impressions & the greeting is from Stampa Rosa (House Mouse.) The inside image that you'll see in a minute is House Mouse. Below are two pictures of the opened card. The mouse is colored with Prismacolor colored pencils.

This is another Halloween card. I just couldn't stop with one cute mouse in a costume! The mouse is colored with Prismacolor colored pencils. The image is stamped on a square cut out wiht the Spellbinders Square Nestabilities. The spiderwebs were done with Marth Stewart punches. The silver piece was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The corners were punched using the Stampin' Up ticket corner punch. The background was stamped with a spiderweb stamp from Inkadinkado.

This is one of my favorite House mouse images. It was part of Char's collection until she so kinly gifted me with it. The image was stamped onto Marco's paper with the Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad. It was then colored with Copic Markers. The embosing folder if Bird Call from Cuttlebug. The background was stamped with a Stampin' Up stamp. I went a little crazy with the crystals, but I think they added a really nice touch.

This is another image from Char's collection. I just love this playful image, but it was a nit time consuming to color! It is stamped on Marco's paper and stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The images were colored with Copic markers. The background stamp is from Hero Arts. The Fleur de Lis punch is from EK Success.

2009-10-04T21:43:00.001-04:00

I'm putting up another post today. To me, the last post was part of yesterday, but whatever! I am entering my first challenge over at House Mouse Monday Challenge blog. The challenge was to make a House Mouse card with buttons. I don't really like to use buttons, so I don't have any buttons. Whoops! No problem, I made a button. I'm really happy with how it came out. Now I can just make buttons if I decide I need to use them. I got the button making directions at Splitcoaststampers. It really simple. Just punch five pieces of cardstock. I used a 3/4" punch. Attach all the layers with crystal lacquer. Use the Cropadile to punch two holes in the center. Apply a thick coat of Crystal Lacquer to the button top & let dry.

This card was done on purple shimmer paper. I stamped the baroque image from Stampin' Up's Friends 24/7 set with purple brilliance ink. The button is made with a spare piece of the background. The House Mouse image is colored with Copic markers. It is matted onto Spellbinders oval & scalloped oval Nestabilities.

This is just a closer view of the cute little mouse. I really like the way they look when done with Copics.

I think I'm in a cute mood. This owl sure is a cutie! It is from the Hero Arts Christmas owl clear set. It's stamped with Onyx Versafine ink & colored with Prismacolor colored pencils. His hat is colored with an Orange Copic marker. The background is another Splitcoaststampers idea. It is Aluminum foil (from the kitchen) attached to cardstock and then embossed with a Spellbinders Impressability folder (flowers-I think.) I then cut it with one of the label Nestabilities. The orange is a copic marker. The bat is from Stamps by Judith & the Happy Halloween image is from Inkadinkado. The pearls are from Hero Arts.

World Card Making Day

2009-10-04T04:21:00.000-04:00

Today was World Card Making Day. So, what did I do today you ask? How many cards did I make? None! I didn't make one single card today. I've been making several cards a day for the last few weeks & I choose World Card Making Day to make no cards. Of course, this doesn't mean I was in my stamp room for hours today. I was working on holiday goodies. I made little coffin boxes for the yearly Halloween party we have with the boys. I used my Ultimate Crafters Companion tool to make coffin shaped boxes that have yet to be decorated. I also started working on some Christmas decorations. My long awaited Stowlake One Shapabilities arrived today. They are as awesome as I thought they would be! I'll have to get the Snowflakes 2 set. I can see making several ornaments with these. I don't have any samples yet. The glitter is drying on the first two ornaments.

The Snowflakes dies were really easy to use. I just put them with some scraps of paper and ran all 5 shapes through my Cuttlebug at one time. Then I embossed them & made another set(for the back.) I stuck them all together with foam tape & then glittered them with some stickles. They would be dry, but I had to re-glitter them after my cat sat on them. You should have seen me folowing him to get one of the snowflakes off of his back! I'll post them soon.

This is a card I made a few years ago. It's one of my favorite Christmas cards. It's from a Make & Take I did at Impressions From the Heart when they were still open. We made a simpler card with the flower image. It was just a basic technique showing them how to blend Tombo markers with a waterbrush. It;s a really simple technique with stunning results. Each flower used just two colors.

This is the card open from two different views. The greetings are from Penny Black. The birds are from Hero Arts. The holly leaves are from Magents. I'm not sure about the large flower. It was a store stamp & I don't have it.

Using more scraps...

2009-09-28T16:36:00.000-04:00

I've ben busy using up my scraps. Like I said before, I have tons of them & will be using them for quite a long time. I seem to have a ton of strips that are about 2" wide. Many of them are really nice papers with shimmer in them. They're a really odd size to use & I can only make so many scraplings before I get bored.

This card is a different type of scrap. I am really into trying new techniques, but I often fail to follow through and turn the images into cards. I'm trying to get better about that. I found a box full of scraps and really nice, but unused images. I used one of them on this card.

This is a close up of the image. The angel stamp is from Stampers Anonymous. The main image is layers of Powder Keg embossing powders. I'm sure I made her in a class I taught.

This is the full view of the card. The side pannels are Powder Keg embossing Powders on a retired Stampa Rosa image. The purple piece behind the angel is the Celtic Knot Cuttlebug embossing folder. I found the design for this card on Splitcoaststampers. It's really easy to put together. I just love all the idea I get from that group of talented ladies.

2009-09-23T10:34:00.000-04:00

I have been on a mission to use my pre-cut cards and scraps. I'm doing pretty good. All of the cards I'm posting lately have included not cuts from a whole sheet of paper. I've used just scraps. I have a lot of scraps so I plan to keep using them until I've used them up.
I'm still going crazy stamping & lovin it! I'll post a few cards today. I have several more to post, but I keep forgetting to add them to my blog. Here are a few.

This is scrapling I made for a challenge at Club Posh. They are fun! It is a folded mini card that is 1 1/2" x 4". Thestamps are all from the Hero Arts Clear set called Christmas owls. The Layer is polished stone stamped with the snowflakes in Mediteranean Blue & Starlight Silver Brilliance ink. The Owl was colored with Prismacolor colored pencils & OMS (Odorless mineral spirits) with blending stumps.

This is a card I made with the scrapling. I use a Stampin Up punch to make a slit so the scrapling card front can be opened to reveal a message.

I made this Halloween card for the boys. They asked me to make them cards with the pop-up tree (below) and I couldn't refuse them. The front is really simple. I used my Cuttlebug folders from last year. I embossed them onto black scraps & rubbed the Starlight Silver Brillance inkpad over the raised areas.

This is the pop-up tree on the inside of the card. It's really hard to photograph because the tree skirt is foil. It made it really hard for me to get a good picture of the tree. The little foil bats & skulls on the tree. The tree is stamped with an Anna Griffin background with Starlight Silver Brilliance ink & embossed with glow in the dark embossing powder. I think the boys will really like them!

Blogging Again

2009-09-15T01:48:00.000-04:00

I am a bad blogger. I know this! I've been quite sick for several months now & just haven't had the energy to stamp while I've been home. The other day, my great friend Char told me I need to start blogging again. So, here I am! I've been really inspired to create this last week. It's a combination of two things. I'm no longer on any pain killers & I started to play with the many new tools, embelishments and stamps Char got me for Christmas & my birthday. She sent me a huge box & it arrived right after I got out of the hospital for the first time. I was so out of it I didn't get a chance to really enjoy what I received. Now, I am enjoying all of the goodies she sent. I've been making cards and boxes like crazy. One of the things she sent me is the Crafters Companion Ultimate Tool. This thing is cool. I'vs used it to make boxes, tri-shutter cards, gate-fold cards, K Cards, explosion cards & I'm just getting started. Over the next few days I plan to post my most recient cards & boxes. I also have some pictures of cards I made right before I got sick & didn't manage to show here. I'll probably post them with just descriptions so I have time to keep stamping.

This is a box I made with the Ultimate tool. It opens like a pizza box. The main image is stamped in Onyx Black Versafine with a stamp from the Hero Arts set Together. I colored it with Prismacolor colored Pencils. It is layered onto a scrap of dark brown paper & then onto a piece of copper paper that was stamped with Coffee Bean Brilliance ink using the dots & flowers background from Hero Arts. It is on top of a teal shape cut with my Cuttlebug & Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities. The box is stamped with the swirls in the Hero Arts Valentine Flourish Clear set. I used StazOn Opaque ink in the color Butter Cream.

I forgot to mention that I won a $100 shopping spree on the Hero Arts Blog! All I did was post to the blog. Each month they pick one random post & award that person a shopping spree. How awesome is that? All of the stamps I used above are part of my winnings.

I'm Copic Certified!

2009-02-26T00:54:00.000-05:00

I don't have any pictures to post yet, but I had to share with anyone that is reading this. I went to Pensacola this last weekend, and got Copic Certified. It was a great weekend. We stayed there Sunday night. My clas was all day monday. I learned everything I need to know about Copics. Ieven learned how to use them to color! For those of you that know, I really stink with them. Now, I've figured it out! it only took a six hour class and fifteen hours in the car, but I've figured them out. We used the airbrush system and now Iwant one. I was soooo happy to met several prominate stampers. I had a great time & just had to share. I've done some images from the class samples. I've even finished a cute card. I'll have to upload it soon. I'm just so darn happy to finaly be able to use my Copic markers! JIL

I'm thinking about Spring with flowers

2009-02-09T00:43:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I'm ready for spring. I made three spring cards. Two of them are for Club Posh challenges and one is an old favorite that I made for a friend at work.

My friend Kathy lost her grandmother last week, so I had to make her an over-the-top card. This card has to be one of my favorite cards. Years ago I took a class with Marilyn Parke from the stamp company Parked on Rubber. I have been making this card for special occassions forever. It's such an elegant card and I wish I designed it myself! Kathy loved this card so much, she had her husband frame it for her. That was a huge compliment. The funny thing is, I didn't intentionally sign up to take the class. I thought I was signing up for a class on Magic Colored Pencils with Debbie Gunyon. I was dissapointed about the mistake for about two seconds. I'm sure I would have loved the class with Debbie, but I have since had chances to see her demonstrate her awesome technique.

The stamps are from Parked on Rubber & Me & Carrie Lou. I'm not sure what stamps are from each company, sorry. They are stamped with Glitter Gold Embossing Powder and embossed on vellum. The vase design is actually a blank vase that was stamped with a floral egg stamp. The images are colored with Tombo Markers on the front of the vellum. All images were cut out right next the embossing and layered into the vase. The centers of the flowers were accented with Swarvoski crystals that were applied with a toothpick and crystal lacquer.

My next card was inspired by Becca on her blog, Amazing Paper Grace. She did a video of her medallion technique on her blog and you can find it on the right hand side of her links. Here is her blog http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/ It is so wonderful what combinations she has come up with for her layers. I did this card for a Club Posh Challenge to create a weather themed card while uing a new tool with my favorite adhesive and my favorite punch. Here it is:

This card was made using her medallion technique straight off her video with an EK Success punch. Please check it out. I will warn you that her techique is addictive! LOL! My main image is the tree from an Inkadinkado Clear set. The flower is also from another clear set. The tree is stamped on a circle of watercolor paper with Onyx Versafine ink. It is the largest plain nestabilities circle. I colored it with a light wash of Twinkling H2O's. The flowers were stamped on the watercolor paper scraps with the Onyx ink & colored with H2O's. The card came together really quick. The papers are a 12"x12" stack that I picked up at JoAnns. I didn't keep the cover page, but I saw it there last weekend. I used foam tape to add the flowers & the medallion. I added three sizes of flat backed pearls to accent the card.

The last card was another Club Posh Challenge. I did it before a challenge was declared, but it was posted as a challenge today. It was posted as a technique that I had seen before, but hadn't tried. So, of course I had to finally try it. The technique is called thumping. It's really a fun, loose technique. I inked up my stamp with an Aqua Vivid inkpad. Then I took a blue Marvy Brushart marker and thumped it onto my stamp. I just tapped it all over the image. I did the same technique with two Posh Impressions stamps. I first did the oriental writing background and stamped it onto white glossy paper. Then I inked up the cherry blossom stamp and stamped it over top of the background. It is layere over two colors of paper that were punched with my new Martha Stewart Boarder punch. The word is stamped with Dark Blue Brilliance Ink. I was going for the textured look or I would have embossed it on that textured paper.

I'm still working out how to properly photograph my images. It's a work in progress. I'm loving working with my textured papers. It's my goal to use up my older papers before I use them, but I keep reaching for those textures. I am using some of my older papers as I go , so I guess I'm doing pretty good. Until next time, JIL

Another Valentine & A Row House

2009-01-26T23:43:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, I'm still fixated on Valentine Cards. I did another Valentine in reds. I used the Hero Arts birds becasue they are so dang cute. I submitted it to the Hero Arts Blog weekly challenge. It was lots of fun to create, but it didn't photograph too well. It's an acetate card & had a glare no matter what we tried.

I first stamped the Posh Impressions background stamp onto the acetate card with Cherry Red Staz-On ink. I stamped the birds from Hero Arts onto watercolor paper with Onyx Black Versafine Ink. I colored the birds with red & pink twinkling H2O's with a water brush. Once they were dry, I cut them out with detail scissors. I used my Oval Nestabilities to cut the top layers and the Long Rectangle Nestabilities to cust the bottom layers. I used my Cuttlebug machine. The pink layers were aged with the Staz-On inkpad. I stamped the top layers with a Hero Arts texture stamp and the Greeting is also from Hero Arts. I attached the birds with foam tape. The tiny Hearts are from K & Company & I found them at Wal-Mart for $1.50. That was for an entire sheet. The Nestability shapes are mirrored throughout the card so the received can't see the adhesive. So, there are four ovals on the cards & four rectangles throughout the card.

I also started a valentine mailbox. These little mailboxes are a really great way to give gifts. I've seen all kinds of them on blogs. They make grat goodie "bags" and a great way to deliver sweets or cookies. My oldest son just wants to make one with me to hold his skateboarding stickers! LOL! He selected a silver mailbox for his project. I'm sure I'll add it to this blog. The mailboxes were $1 in the Target dollar spot. I got some in red, white & silver. There are also some metallic pink ones out there.

The mailbox was pretty easy to cover. I took a piece of computer paper and cut it to fit between the edges of the mailbox. When I wrapped it around the mailbox the screw from the flag made an imprint onto the paper with a light rubbing of my fingers. I punched a standard size hole where the screw was and cut a small slit from the hole to the short side of the paper. I attached double stick adhesive around the mailbox and wiggled the paper into place around the flag hole. I pulled the release paper off of the adhesive once the paper was in place. I cut templates of the ends. The paper is a decorative paper from Sandy Lions. I got it years ago and have been holding onto it for the perfect project. I stamped the hearts (Inkadinkado-Clear $1 stamps from JoAnns) all over the decorative paper with Pearlescent Crimson Brilliance ink before I attached it to the mailbox. I attached ribbon to the side of the mailbox ends with double stick tape. The ribbon is tan & I ran my Brilliance inkpad over it for color. I plan to add more to it, but I son't have an exact plan yet. I know I'll do something to the flag. I will post it next week when I finish it.

Now for the Row Houses. These little works of art are tons of fun. I found out about them on a Club Posh Challenge. They're a really simple idea that has endless possibilities. You make them to add them to cards or other pieces of art. They're about the size of a trading card with a peak for the roof. You're supposed to name you row houses when they are completed. Mine is called

"House of Purple". I know, not very origional, but I couldn't come up with a better name becasue I'm not sure what the flower it is. I thought maybe a Dogwood, but I have no real idea. The stamps are from Posh Impressions, Stamp Cabana & The Artful Stamper. I'll plan to tell you all how the background was made in the future. It's basically a collage.

Until next time, JIL

I'm Back

2009-01-19T04:39:00.000-05:00

I know, it's been months since I posted, but I hope to change that. I plan to post cards with recipes and an occasional tutorial. I started a new job is August & have been on the fast track ever since. It's been a bit of an adjustment for me, but I am finally ready to blog again. I only find time to stamp on my work weekends, Sunday & Monday so don't expect too much from me. Here is one of my Valentines day cards. I plan to make at least one other design & maybe even two, but here are my first cards.

The House Mouse image was stamper with Versafine Onyx Blace ink & then colored with Copic Markers. The circles are the Nestabilities, Small Circles and Large Petite Scalloped Circles (confusing huh? The Large refers to the set of circles and petite is referring to the size of the scallop.) The pink paper was embossed with the Argyle Cuttlebug Folder. I used the large scaloped rectangles under that. I punched the corners of the brown layer with the ticket punch from Stampin Up. Those are dew drops in the corners. I use pearl dew drops and put a drop of Tim Holtz alcohol ink on each dew drop to make a custom color. I edged my layers with a Silver Pilot Paint Pen. The white dots on the scallops are a Signo pen. Many of the layers were accented in brown with the Chocolate brown Brilliance Inkpad.

Now, for another variation. I used many of the same elements. I changed up the colors and a few elements to make a card for the Club Posh Challenge. It's a great challenge to make a valentines card with a heart on it, but you can't use any shade of red! So I did up this card. I added in the Posh Impressions background.

Hope you enjoyed the two variations of this Valentine's Day card. I'll post again soon. JIL

MY STAMP ROOM

2008-07-19T13:08:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Sorry about that, things have been crazy here. We had company, my son broke his leg and had to have surgery, my father had to have surgery the next week and now I'm job hunting. It makes me tired thinking about it all now. I haven't been too creative, but I have been organizing my stamp room, so I thought I'd share that with you. It's a form of creativity-right? So here it is. Enjoy!

My stamp room is half of my spare bedroom. I share the space with my husband and sons. My husband LOVES Mustangs and that's why we have two (1965 & 2005) but that's not enough for him. He collects mini Mustangs. You know, like Matchbox. So, those are what you'll see on the walls and all over. My youngest son collects bugs and you may see a few of those. This is the back wall that I would consider the start of my stamping space. I have two EK Success paper racks for all of my 81/2"x11" papers. I got them when my favorite stamp store went out of business. Next to them are my drawers of little things. I also have two custom made oak stamp holders and I will show you them closer below. On top of my Oak cabinet is two smaller stamp drawers that I've had since I got into stamping. My organizer is on top of those with notebooks of ideas and projects from classes I've attended.

This is my stack of drawers that hold all of the smaller things like glitter, embossing powders and brads. I also store my tags, fibers and paints here. The one to the left goes all the way to the ceiling. but I'm about to change that. I'll post when I change it.

This is one of my cabinets. It holds most of my unmounted stamps. I have my Carl cutter and Cuttlebug on the top surface.

This is the inside of one side of the Oak Cabinet. A man in Daytona made these for me and I adore them. It holds clear picture frames that I fill with my stamps by category. The drawers slide out to go wherever I need them. Most of my stamps are unmounted, but I have certain collections that are still mounted. The door has little shelves on them to hold my background stamps. I'm looking to change that too so I'll post when I get that done.

These are the drawers that hold my unmounted stamps. I have them in categories that work for me. They are all on EZ mount foam and stored on the lightweight binder sheets from Sunday International. It;s the best system out there. The top drawer on the left holds mounts and the two top drawers on the right hold clear sets. There are notebooks along the side of the drawers that contain stamped images of each stamp by category and sheet. As you can see everything in my stamp room is labeled. I bought a label maker years ago and can't live without it.

This is the inside of my drawer that contains my images from Posh Impressions. This set came on EZ mount and was pre-labeled. I only have a few like that, but they sure are easy to pick out.

This is a drawer with my Hero Arts images. I fanned them out a bit so you can see I have 8 sheets of images in each drawer. I do still have a few drawers that aren't UM stamps and they hold my glitter glues and re-inkers.

This is my stamping desk. It's a computer hutch. It is set into half of a closet. It fit perfectly. There are shelves my husband built to the right of the desk and wire closet shelves to the left. It looks really messy in the picture, but it isn't. I have a cork board on the back of the desk. There is a slide out computer keyboard drawer that holds many things. It has my Score-It, cutting mats and tidy tray. It's really handy to reach down.

This is the shelves to the right. The top one holds a stamp pad rack from the same store that I got my paper racks at. It holds my most used ink pads. there are some of those Mustangs I mentioned earlier. They are ALL over! LOL!

This is the top of my hutch. It contains two handmade ink pad holders. They are made out of foam core & hot glue. My husband & I made them. Pretty cool huh? I found wonderful directions for how to make these on a blog. I also made a little version out of black foam core and it holds most of my markers.

This is the wire shelves to the left of my stamp table. It holds things that I want to be able to reach over to grab when I'm working on a project. It has papers, stamp cleaning pads, markers and adhesives to name a few things. It connects over to the other half of the closet that I don't use for stamping.

My stamp room isn't as polished as many I've seen, but it is very functional. Everything has a place and I can easily find anything I need. Let me know if you have any questions. Maybe someone could leave me a comment? Let me know how I'm doing. I hope to update things more often once I get back on track. Let me know if you want to see anything done with my blog.

JIL

TWINKLING H2O'S TUTORIAL

2008-05-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

TWINKLING H2O'S TUTORIAL
Today I got out one of my favorite things, Twinkling H2O's. I love them because they are so versatile. I'll start with an easy watercolor technique. The colors aren't in any specific area, just let the water move them around.

SUPPLIES:

Watercolor paper

Water brush
Water Spritzer

Graphite Black Brilliance ink pad

Old English Rose Heritage ink pad

Clear embossing powder

Twinkling H2O's (I'll list colors as we go)

First, stamp your background image (Just For Fun Stamps) onto watercolor paper with graphite black ink & apply clear embossing powder. Heat set your image. I usually use plain cold press watercolor paper. Nothing fancy. Spritz water over your image. This will help your color move around. Also open your pots of H2O's and spritz them with water. This will make your dry colors more of a paint. Use a water brush with water in it and pick up your first color, Gold dust and add it to your image.

Now add some Mystic Blue to your image.

Add some Cinnamon Brown at the bottom. Then add in some more Gold dust to the bottom area. Remember to keep your piece wet so the colors move around. Don't be afraid to spritz the image again.

If you feel that some of your edges are too defined, come back and add some more color to soften things up. I added more gold dust around the image to soften the colors.

Now, move on to the leaves. Stamp and emboss the leaf (Just For Fun Stamps.) Start by spritzing your leaf with water. Apply some Key Lime around the center.

Add some Mystic Blue around the Key Lime.

Now add in some Ocean Wave and Ruby Red.

Lastly, add some Gold dust & Cinnamon Brown. Remember to move and blend the colors together as you go. Once your image is dry, cut it out.

You'll now want to stamp and emboss the long leaf image(Evolving Images Stamps) Spritz it and add three colors the same was as before. Add Key lime, Cinnamon Brown & Gold dust. Then cut out your leaf.

Age your card with the Heritage ink pad and attach the background. Add your leaves with foam tape. Now you're finished. Please let me know if you have any questions about this technique.

Polished Stone tutiorial

2008-05-29T16:46:00.000-04:00

I was asked how to do the polished stone technique so here is a tutorial with pictures of the main steps. I learned this technique from Tim Holtz while at Ranger U. You can also see it on both of his DVD's. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Non-stick Craft Sheet

Adirondack Alcohol Inks

Adirondack Metallic Mixatives Gold/Silver

Blender Solution

Inkssentials Alcohol Ink Tool

Refill Felts

White glossy paper

Graphite Black Brilliance Ink pad(not shown)

You'll start by working on a non-stick craft sheet from Ranger. Apply your first color of alcohol ink to the felt attached to your ink tool. I just press the tip of the ink bottle into the felt. I like to work with a mix of three colors. I chose to work with butterscotch, cranberry & stream. Then I added a very small drop of the gold metallic mixative. Then you'll tap the felt onto your glossy paper. This is the first tapping.

Continue tapping the tool onto your paper until it is all covered. Be sure to rotate your tool to avoid forming a pattern.

Next you want to apply some blender solution to your tool. This will blend any hard edges and lighten up your colors.

This step is optional but you can sprinkle the blender solution over your piece to create pools of lighter color. If the pool starts to spread too much, you may want to use your heat tool to stop any spreading. Stamp your image with Graphite black Brilliance ink. You may want to heat set the image or you can let it dry overnight.