Vampy Cuppie

Stamps - A Muse & Taylored Expressions
QuicKutz - Fork
Ink - Memento
Copics & Spicas
Marvy Punch
Memory Box Cardbase
Gemstones - Hero Arts & Michael's Dollar bins

Better late than never, at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself!! Here's a card that I did for Halloween (the inside sentiment is from A Muse - "Bite Me!")......and it was Creepella's favorite. Hope you all got some great treats!!

In about an hour Creepella and I are heading to the theater to meet one of my cousins - we're going to see "New Moon" at 12:01am...........and then, we'll see it at 4:15pm with another cousin and her girls and then we'll see it at 9:30pm (all 3 cousins and all 3 second cousins) and Heidi will be joining us for that showing...................it's going to be a FUN time by all!!!

Batty Greetings

Stamps - Hero Arts
Inks - Memento & Colorbox
Copics & Spicas
Cardbase - Memory Box
B&T paper - Target dollar bin
Ribbon - A Muse

It's never too late for Halloween cards, right???

So this is what I did with the bat.....I liked how it turned out..........I love that the swirly B&T paper is glitterfied, it ties in with bat's wings (that I Spica-fied). The ribbon from A Muse lends the perfect shimmer - so subtle but just the right touch!!

Kayla's Card

Cardbase - Memory Box

Stamps - A Muse & A Stamp In The Hand

Inks - Memento

Copics & Spicas

Martha Stewart Glow In The Dark Glitter

Liquid Glass - CTMH

Metal Stickers - Nailheads

This is Kayla's b-day card.....this is the 2nd "Twilight" themed card for Ms. Kayla....and I think she's a Jacob fan, so since A Muse oh-so conveniently "released" their new wolf stamp - well, need I say more?? It's so much fun to have The Perfect Stamps to make The Perfect Card that's exactly right for the recipient.

The truck is called "Fetching the Tree" (I think).....because there's a pine tree in the bed - but with some really careful snipping (and some great micro-tip scissors) you too can have a truck that would make Bella proud. The glow in the dark glitter is so cool (as I was making the card, I kept taking the bottle of glitter into the closet - just to be amazed). I'm not a big loose-glitter fan but I'm liking Martha's collection (sigh.....every time I try to make a break from her, she sucks me back into her clutches with the next new cool thing......).

The nailheads worked well for the hubcaps. I used Copics on the truck and the wolf, the rest of the "color" was done with those handy-dandy Memento dew drops!!

And finally - this is actually Heidi's b-day, but since she's at The Happiest Place On Earth, I don't feel so bad that I'm not posting HER b-day card......and well, I haven't quite finished (or started) it - yet. We'll be celebrating her b-day next month (need a couple of paychecks to save up for our wild & crazy party!!) - it'll involve eating and shopping of course.

Have a great weekend - take a few moments to stamp!!!

Big Grin Stuff....

Stamps by A Muse, Memory Box, Poppystamps, Inkadinkado

Well here are a few of my new best friends.........I don't know why I do this - have a NON-stamping project going and run out and get stamps......that I can't use until said project is done. I guess I just like to torture myself. I have ideas for most of these stamps (especially the little guy running - top right corner [looking at the stamps] - it's kind of sick, but I think it'll be pretty funny!!). Isn't the sentiment by the 4-year old great?? I know a lot of adults who would think that not hitting & biting someone constitutes a GOOD day!! I purchased the Memory Box stamps because Creepella really likes that style. I've got a few ideas for those two stamps, we'll see how they pan out.

I'm hoping to get some stamping time in this weekend. But first things first - we purchased some of the shelving materials so I'm hoping to get Chef Bo-Bo Head (and his drill) into action - PUTTING UP SHELVES......sheesh, what are you guys THINKING??? After that, clear the decks - it's time to stamp!!!

Party Monster

Cardbase - Papertrey Inks

Stamps - Recollections "My Little Monsters"

B&T paper - 8X8 tablet from Target

Nestabilities Small Pinking Circles

Fiskars mini-pinking edgers & pinking edgers

Inks - Memento

Copics & Spicas

A Muse - Lime Green Gems

Found this set of monster stamps at Michaels.....at 25% off, I think I ended up paying about $4.50 for this clear set of stamps. I was a bit leery as they're made in China, BUT unlike a lot of clear stamps that are made in China, these actually stamp well (not all blotchy). I purchased several sets (both for myself and gifts - Heidi, are you curious????)

The tissue paper flowers are FINALLY finished, after 52 flowers, my hands are officially sand-paper and it feels as if I haven't stamped in ages. Of course the first card to make is a "Grrrrrrr" monster card, right???

Flowers, Flowers, EVERY WHERE...

This is/these are my current captors.....yes, I'm being held hostage by tissue paper flowers. Technically, I'm being held hostage by tissue paper and pipe cleaners that are just waiting to be folded into flowers. Creepella has already made mention that it seems as if the predominant color is orange.....and I ask you - what's wrong with that?? Making them isn't difficult, actually it's kind of relaxing (almost Zen-like), but good grief making them really does eat up the time (especially since I only have a couple of "crafting" hours after my day job). But I offered to help and help I will. I have a feeling that when I'm done fluffing that last flower I'll have had enough tissue paper contact to last a very long while.

Since I'm committed (or at least SHOULD be...) to making gobs of these, my stamping has to take a back-seat for a few days. Friday is lunch-with-Gail-and-discuss-HP/Hallows-with-chips-and-salllllllsa-for-a-few-hours, so probably no stamping until the weekend.

Hope YOU get some quality stamping time reallllly soon!!

BTW - I have NO idea how to get my paragraphs back. When I'm in my "preview" mode, the text looks nice and tidy, my paragraphs are looking good but when it posts - ICK, everything is all squished - it's stifling my written creativity (which I'll admit, could be a GOOD thing), but dang it, if I want to babble on MY blog, I want to do it in paragraph form....can anyone give me a clue....pretty please???

Happy October 1st - let Autumn begin (please, please, please......)

Ribbon & Friend

Stamp - Hero Arts

Ink - Memento

Copics & Spicas

Ah ha - and here you thought the ribbon saga was over!! Nope - I snapped these up as soon as I saw them at Michaels (yesssss, at a 30% discount too!!). Creepella is admiring them a LOT - I've already told her that I'd give her some (if there are left-overs), but really, I'm hoping that she'll forget about them and I'll just oh-so casually put them in my Halloween stash!!!

As soon as I saw that crazy bat, I had to have it (even though it's wood-mounted!!), haven't really decided what I'll be doing with him - but I stamped, colored and cut out 8 of them so there's a party going on somewhere.

Soothing Florals

Stamps, B&T Paper, Cardstock - CTMH
Ink - CTMH & Papertrey Ink

Stickles & Spicas

Paper Flower & gemstone - Hero Arts

Card Sketch - modified Mojo Monday

Really wanted to use this set of papers......it's so soothing and peaceful. I love the stamps too. Pretty quick and easy cards, the papers do most of the work.

I'm enjoying the Mojo Monday sketches although most of them are a bit busy for me. No worries, just do a little modification - make it your own and Ta-Dah.....you've got yourself a cool card design with NO brain strain.........

Yummmmm - Frosting!!

"Frosting" close up...

Cardbase - Memory Box

Textured CS and B&T paper - CTMH

Punches: Martha Stewart's Drippy Goo Border & Scalloped border; Marvy scalloped oval punch
Stamps - Stampassions & Papertrey Ink

Ink - Memento

Liquid Glass - CTMH

3M Foam Mounting Tape

Getting sick & tired of these "punched" cards?? I'm having so much fun I can't really stop myself - sorry!! And least you think we're nearly done....well, take a deeeep breath and take an extra dose of Patience because ahem, er, ahh, I have a few more M.S. punches up my sleeve.

Loads of fun card to make and IRL, it looks pretty yummy too. I had so much fun making this card, I made 8 of them. I'll be taking in another batch of new cards to sell, so we'll find out if our customers are just as thrilled with these punches as I am..........cross your fingers!!

Bogged Down

Here's part of the mess of "loose" ribbon

A close-up of the the oranges & yellows

A close-up of the purple

A close-up of the blues

A confession...............I was busy stamping and as I was wrapping up the card, I thought, "Hey, a couple of loops of ribbon would look good here....." and that was the last conscious thought I had for the rest of the day. I spent the rest of my weekend "wrapping" ribbon. I guess I'm a bit on the compulsive side in regards to certain aspects in my stamping materials - apparently ribbon is one of them. I had the ribbon mostly separated by color and some of it was wrapped nice & tidy but some of it............wasn't.................it was loose, wild, tangled, creased and I just couldn't take it any more - AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHhhhhhh.

So this is most of my "loose" ribbon - ribbon that I've purchased mostly by the yard at a couple of LSS and from Michaels too. I have other zip-top bags that hold my A Muse sheer ribbon and stitched ribbon and then there are larger bags that have spooled organza ribbons, holiday ribbons, "textured" ribbon and printed ribbon - let's just say over the years, I've acquired a healthy supply of ribbon. Of course NOW I realize that I'm partial to the skinny ribbon (i.e. A Muse sheer ribbons) - but since I've got a ton of other stuff, I need to get busy using it up.

Now that my loose ribbon has been sorted and tidied up, I can really "see" what I have available so I'm certain I'll be adding ribbon to pretty much every card I make.......aaaahhhh, ribbon frenzy - what a way to go!!

Flamingo Happy

Cardbase - Memory Box

B&T paper - CTMH

Stamps - Stampin' Up "Tickled Pink" & Hero Arts sentiment (top card)

Inks - Memento & Colorbox chalk inks

Copics & Spicas

Brads - Making Memories

Ribbon - Misc.

Whew - here are the cards where the ribbon selection bogged me down last weekend. Are you laughing?? I am - how lame is it that a measely 4 inches of ribbon selection brought me to a grinding halt??? I scare myself sometimes.

As I started to color the flamingo, I realized whoa - I don't really know what they look like - what color are their legs, their beaks??? Creepella did a quick internet check and I had my answers (they're actually more peachy-color than pink). That internet sure does come in handy at times!!

Princess Pamela's B-Day Card

Full view of card

Close-up of M.S. tombstone punch

CB - Papertrey Ink

CS & textured CS - CTMH

Alpha Stamps - CTMH

Inside sentiment - Art Impressions

Martha Stewart Punches - Icicles border, tombstone & tombstone border

Ink - Memento

Copics & Spicas

Sakura Glaze Pen

Inside sentiment says: "They say you're only young once... How was it?"

While this card may SEEM a bit on the harsh side, Princess Pamela "got it", enjoyed it and appreciated it and what card-maker could ask for more? She's one of my special card-buying customers - one that likes the "edgier" cards.....so of course I had to make an edgey card for her, right??

Not a whole lot of stamping going on.....mostly the M.S. punches do the trick. I used the icicle border punch to make the tall grass and I slipped the single tombstone in between the grass layers/rows. I put a bit of foam tape on the upper portion of the tombstone and then the front row of grass is about 90% popped out. I added just a smidgeon of the glaze pen on the "r.i.p." to highlight the letters (it's very subtle).

I'm still having fun with those M.S. punches, and now Heidi thinks they're kind of cool too - I know, I know.....I'm such the trend-setter!!!

Another Shelf

From the top to bottom photo would be going from left to right on another shelf that's just to the left of my desk. Now while I would much rather have the shelves on my right hand side (as I am right-handed), I'm still pretty thrilled that I can have this indispensable set of shelves within arm's reach. I have 5 shelves (but I think I have enough space for 6), they're as shallow as we could find - 8 inches deep - and 4 feet long (I had to leave room for one of my stamp cabinets that will be attached to the wall). With those cool little mini metal shelves from Ikea, I'm able to pack a LOT of tools into this space and The Best Thing: everything is accessible!! Aside from the MS punches being stored in front of each other (I rotate them as the stamping season demands), pretty much everything else is right out there, ready to use.

While I can do a bang up job of organizing and making things fit, I found that when I packed things too closely together, it was a chore trying to GET to the things to use - so I'm keeping things close but I allow for a "working margin" of space. It's been a great help.

Yes, I know that I have a lot of ink pads (remember, I've been a CTMH consultant for nearly 15 years!!) and believe it or not, I've used all but two of them in my stamping history. Each set of inks has it's own specialty. During the construction of my stamp room, I started to weed through my stamping "stuff" and I actually trimmed down what I needed to keep. The inks on these shelves are my absolute "go-to" inks of choice (in the last tin on this shelf are my stacks of cats eyes chalk inks - hidden gems!!). I remember the first time I time I saw a Kaleidacolor ink pad.........they blew me away. I started my "collection" of Kaleidacolor over 12 years ago - I still love them!!

Side Note: Creepella recorded "300" (yes, she's a little warrior), and I've been watching bits and pieces of it for the last hour or so..............yuck............I don't like "war" movies, no matter what the age, no matter what the history. While I LOVE Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings", I still cringe during the battle at Helmsdeep......again, yuck. It's not that I'm squeamish - on the contrary, a lot of medical "stuff" is completely fascinating to me - it's just battly stuff is just gruesome and sad (yes, even when it's happening in Middle Earth), and there's already enough sadness around, I don't need to watch it on purpose.

Snail Mail

CB - Papertrey Ink

Panel card - A Muse

Stamps - Snail & mini-present - A Muse; Clouds - Rubbersoul & Memory Box; Alphabet - CTMH

Inks - Memento

Copics & Spicas

Stickles

Liquid Glass - CTMH

Flower - Prima Marketing, Inc.

Smooth Gemstone - Hero Arts

B&T - BasicGrey "Gypsy"

Inside sentiment: "...happy belated birthday"

YIKES looking at the supply list for this card, it's rather frightful because the card itself looks so simple!! Hmmm, just lots of parts to this simple little card!! Of course when this snail first came out, I just HAD to have it and now, I've FINALLY used it!!! I love how the mini-presents are mini enough to be stacked on the snail's shell. I was VERY busy with my Spicas and I did a whole lot of shading on the shell and then proceeded to goo it up with Stickles so alas, all that shading work is lost (but I think it makes me FEEL good knowing it's there...ahem....).

I pretty much finished the cards (I made 8 of them)....and decided they needed a bit of an "ICK" factor, so I grabbed my bottle of Liquid Glass (aka dimensional glaze) and applied a snail trail. Probably too much for some of my card customers but I seem to cater to customers with a more "open" idea of humor - yes, I think that says it all quite nicely, don't you???

In a wild HP tangent............you know, the whole "at a snail's pace" thing?? I'm waiting oh-so patiently for Gail to finish "Deathly Hallows"...........I don't want to talk/email her until I know she's finally finished. Do you know very difficult it's been to NOT say anything??? I tell you if Patience is truly a Virtue - I'm filled to the rim with virtue.............................

2-Cup Day...

CB & CS - CTMH
Stamps - Stampendous
Inks - Memento & Tim Holtz Distress Ink (spiced marmalade, fired brick & peeled paint)
Copics
Uniball Silver Gel Pen
Mini brads - CTMH
Fiskars Large Deckle Scissors

Found the Fluffles stamp and the sentiment separately (but in the same shopping trip to Stamper's Corner - Heidi and I are a deadly duo when we go shopping together!!). Could it be more perfect? The sentiment was actually with Stampendous' little monkey character (I don't like him so I can't remember what he's called.....but it's something like Chichito, Lito, aahhh - something like that!!). There's a whole clear set of him in a pirate theme and it nearly kills me every time I see it - WHY hasn't Stampendous come out with a clear set of Fluffles the Pirate??? AAaarrggggggg - I'm gnashing my teeth in pure frustration......

I'm trying go get the feel of those distressing inks from Tim Holtz.....I've seen some amazing things done with them and I really want to get accomplished with the techniques. I tell you though, there's going to have to be a LOT of practice before I can be as accomplished as some!! But as I tell Creepella time and again, practice is really what makes you best - in whatever it is that makes excellence your goal.

I did the the "drag" method, semi-dragging and swiping the distressing pads across the cardstock directly. I used Memento Dew Drop pads to ink up the alarm clock & cup one color while inking up Fluffles in another color. Used a sponge dauber to apply the ink to the edges of the Fluffles panel and to the sentiment panel. And apparently since I live and breathe for foam mounting tape - I popped out the sentiment panel to add bit of dimension and I added the mini brads for bit of interest (and because I love those mini brads.......and here's a fascinating discovery - Michaels' is now carrying these little jewels - oh joy & rapture!!!)

And finally, I'm posting this Fluffles card after the "Oh Rats!" card so that there's some closure to the whole Rodent theme of yesterday......I hope it helps.