Swap Card Preview #2

Back for more previews. This card was was also made for the Year of Cards swap that I am involved in. This one is for the Easter/St. Patty's/Spring group. I decided to focus on the Easter part because I love bunnies. When I was younger I had the Boyd's Beard Bunnies all over my room. Anyway, I never really made Easter cards because I could not find Easter sets I really liked, until now. TAC (The Angel Company) two of the cutest Easter bunny sets I have seen in a long time.

Presenting my Easter Card:

This card was inspired by my mom. Since I can remember every year when Spring/Easter rolled around she was constantly looking for a new wreath to hang on the side door of her house. And every year she complained when she could not find the one with the saying she wanted - "Hoppy Spring" or "Hoppy Easter". Well low-and-behold, when I was looking for Easter stamp sets I came across one that has the saying "Hoppy Easter". I was in shock. My mom was ahead of the times with something - sill love you mom. I knew I had to get this set and use it for my Easter cards for 2009. So, this card was designed for my mom and with her in mind.

Recipe -- Stamps: TAC I Love Easter -- Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, PTI Polka Dot Parade -- Ink: Burn Sienna -- Accessories: Very Vanilla Ribbon, Nestabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Copic Markers

Swap Cards Preview #1

Hello, my name is Stephanie and I am addicted to swaps. I decided since I have a few weeks off from school I would sign up for a few swaps. Well a few lead to four and for two of those I have three spots in one and six spots in another. The swap I have six in is for what is call a "Year of Cards".


The first card I am showing is for the Valentine's category of the swap. This card was made using a new set and DSP from the Spring/Summer Catalog of SU! This has to be the first year, since I have been stamping, that I have fallen in love with a Valentine's day stamp set. Oh and I forgot to mention that I absolutely love Nestabilities. The ones used here are a newer release called Labels 2. I did not have a "Holiday's" set in order to just stamp "Happy Valentine's Day", so I did the next best thing I used the Define Your Life "x o x o" stamp. I think this stamp just added the little extra needed to balance the card. I hope everyone who gets one of these cards loves it. Thanks for looking.


Recipe -- Stamps: SU! - Love You Much and Define Your Life - Paper: SU! Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Candy Lane DSP, and Pink Pirouette -- Ink: Palette Burnt Sienna and Riding Hood Red -- Accessories: Nestabilities, Heart Punch, Pretties Kit, and Scallop Edge Punch

SCS TLC201 Challenge

For the challenge this week on Splitcoast we were asked to create a Fun Funky Fold card. This technique was a blast to do. I figured I would take advantage of this technique to make a "Under The Weather" card for my grandfather. We found out the day after Christmas that he will have to have multiple bypass surgery on January 5th. I figured this card could brighten his day. I know that he will need it. Again, I tried to put a masculine spin on the colors. I need to really work on the masculine color scheme. I tend to make more feminine cards, so I have been trying to challenge myself when I am making the cards for the SCS Challenges to use masculine colors. I hope you enjoy.






Recipe -- Stamps: SU! A Little Birdie Told Me -- Paper: Manchester DSP and Very Vanilla -- Ink: Basic Black -- Accessories: Very Vanilla Ribbon and Copic Markers

Busy!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It has been busy around my house. Christmas Eve was sent with my husbands parents. Then we were up and on the road early on Christmas Day to go and see my family. We did not get back home until about 8pm, so needless to say we were extremely tired. On Friday my husband was up and at Lowe's by 8am to get out new dishwasher. I never thought I would be so excited to get a new appliance, but this one is so much quieter. Saturday and Sunday was spent - you know what I can't even remember what I did those two days. I remember yesterday. I took down all the Christmas decorations and the tree. Then we started to get everything together for our taxes. I know it is to early to say that word, but with all the receipts we keep we need to start going through them this early to get a rough figure.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!!

SCS LSC200 Challenge

Today's challenge through splitcoast was to design a card that had nothing to do with Christmas, Santa's, Snowflakes, etc. So, I decided since I have a few male birthdays that are coming up soon, I needed to get some practice with making the cards. Male cards are one of the hardest ones for me to make. I always want to put a bow or something girly on the card. And male colors what are those. All I have to say is thank goodness Stampin Up! actually had some designer paper in the catalog this year that was more masculine in design and color. I have stocked up on this paper.

Enough rambling - here is the card I designed for the challenge. I had to catch my self from tying a bow in the thread used on the side. I also tried to keep from having clean cut lines with the apples. The rough torn look just looks more masculine to me. This is just a first pass with trying to get into the masculine card grove.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU For Father

Paper: SU Kraft, Aways Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Manchester DSP

Ink: Palette Burnt Sienna

Accessories: SU Linen Thread and Copic markers

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!!!!

Last minute

It is not like waiting until the last minute to make Christmas gift holders. I found these two ideas through others.

This one is called a Top Note Box. This idea was presented by Angie Tieman as a Top Note Treat holder, but a gift card or money will fit perfectly in the box. These are being given to my Grandparents and my Aunt and Uncle to hold their Christmas present.

This on is a flat gift card holder also made with the Top Note Die. The idea was presented on Amber Chapman's blog. This one was made to hold our dog's groomer Christmas gift. Can you tell that I just love the Top Note Die SU! carries for the Big Shot.

SCS Challenge TLC200

Since I have some time off from school, I have decided that I will attempt to do the daily challenges posted on Splitcoast. For Monday's we were challenged to do a new technique called Faux Silk with a POP. The faux silk technique is fun and adding a pop to the image is even better. For the card I decided I needed to get out of the Christmas grove I was in. So, what is the next obvious holiday to make cards for - Valentine's Day. The set and paper will be in the new Spring/Summer Stampin' Up! catalog, but will be available for customers to preorder in a bundle with a punch starting today. Look for more cards to come with this set - I absolutely LOVE this set and the corresponding designer paper!!



Recipe:
Stamps: SU - Love You Much, Fundamental Phrases
Ink: SU - Riding Hood Red
Paper: SU - Very Vanilla, Riding Hood red, Candy Lane DSP
Accessories: Very Vanilla Ribbon, Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Tissue Paper

They are OVER!!!!

YEAH!!! For those who are new, I am a current graduate student looking to be completed with my Masters in Accounting in March of 2009. Well, I have just completed my exams for the fall quarter. I am off until January 12. That is when I start my thesis class, fun fun. Needless to say I have been neglecting my newly created blog and my stampin room, but not any more. I have planned to spend the next 2 1/2 weeks in there creating and posting for everyone to see and gain creativity from.

Stamp Club Christmas

Every year I do something special for the members of my SU Stamp Club being run now by my best friend Jennifer. This year I had to cut back on the amount of items I made. You know how that goes. I still think everything turned out well.

I don't know what happened with this first picture, but it looked clear before I downloaded it. This is the outer packaging for the present. The box in a bag was made by following the directions given by Paula.

The bag was so simple to make. The next item - the acetate box - was the hardest part to me.

The acetate box was made to hold some of the Candy Cane Hershey Kisses for all the club members.

These were given to the girls on Monday and they all loved it. I think that I have started something and Jennifer is going to need to learn to make them so she can demo the techniques. Have fun Jennifer - you know I will help!!

Early Valentine's Day Idea

Ok. I know I have jumped the gun on this one, but I signed up for a Valentine's Day swap on SCS. This was my treat holder I made. I found the idea on Amy Ward's blog. I modified mine just a little, so you can see the candy through the top. I hope you enjoy!!




Recipe:
Stamps: SU Always
Paper: SU - Pink Pirouette, Chocolate chip, Sweet Always
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Circle punch, Pink Pirouette Ribbon, Silver Cord, Corner Rounder

Watermark

I have to send a thanks out to Dina Kowal. She created four watermarks for me about two months ago and I finally had time to work with them this weekend. If you are interested in seeing the different watermarks she can make for you please look under my "Favorite Web Sites" area and click on "Watermark".

Again Thanks DIANA!!!!!!

That time of year

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!! It is that time of year again - handmade Christmas gifts and/or packaging. Ever since I have been stamping I have tried to make all my presents have some sort of handmade element to them. This year is no exception.

Here is the first:

These are money or gift card holders. With the way the economy is this year, they will be money holders. These were made for my cousins (twin girls and a boy). I am not sure you can really call them girls and a boy. The twins are 19 and their brother is 15. The girls are getting the ones with the Snowmen and their brother is getting the one with the reindeer's.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU - Best Yet, Holiday Lineup

Paper: SU - Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla, Ski Slope DSP

Ink: Basic Brown

Accessories: Nestabilities, SU Watercolor Pencils

__________________________________________________________

Here is the second:

These ornaments were made for my best friend - Jennifer. We try to do something stamp related for each other for Christmas. We decided to do something a little different this year. Since everyone is watching every penny they spend we decided to make ornaments with items we have around the house. I made three different designs and two of each design. One design is using the clear glass ball ornament. In one of them I mixed some ink and water to coat the inside and then filled with glitter. It gives a nice sparkle to it. The other glass ball has an image stamped on acetate and then the ball is filled with fake snow. The two ornaments opposite of the glass ones are made by fanning strips of paper. The final design is called a Pinecone ball and they are the two located in the middle. All you do with these is fold paper into triangles and pin them to a styrofoam ball. You work your way up from the bottom to the top. The bows on the top are to help hide the pins and the part of the ball that is not covered with paper. I am hoping Jennifer likes them.

Recipe:

Stamp: SU Frosty

Paper: SU Ski Slops DP, PTI Polka Dots, Random Red, and Random Vellum

Ink: Black StazOn, Baja Breeze

Accessories: SU - White Taffeta, Random White, Gold, and Cream Organdy Ribbon, Glitter

____________________________________________________________

Here is the third present:

A box of 18 cards and 18 envelopes along with a book of stamps for my Great Great Aunt's Christmas present. She turned 100 on Oct 3 and for the past couple of years it has been so difficult to shop for her. Well, it finally dawned on me - she like to write to her friends back in Pennsylvania, why not make her some cards. This set includes two of each design shown. The sayings range from Happy Birthday to Get Well to Thank You and so on. Each card is mounted on to White cardstock so she will not have to worry about if the ink will show up.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU - Always,Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: SU - Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Sweet Always DSP, Ski Slope DSP, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Pale Plum, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Old Olive, Certainly Celery

Ink: SU - Basic Brown, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Pale Plum, Tangerine Tango, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories - SU - White Taffeta, Chocolate Chip 5/8 Grosgrain, Chocolate Ship Twill, Alpine. Brads, Organdy Ribbon, SU Chit Chat Rub-ons, SU Pretties Kit

TOOO Long

It has been to long. Life has just gotten in the way. Lets talk. I will not be finishing school this quarter. I had to drop my thesis class. I will be taking that one next quarter and I will be graduating in March 2009. YEAH!!! I have been working on my backyard. When we had the house built I did not have the builder clear the back, so it was a jungle for almost two years. For the past two months my father-in-law has been helping me with cutting down trees and tilling the brush out.

Here is a before: And after the first pass of the tiller:

Well it is time for me to start being more diligent and posting my ideas to share with everyone out there.

What a week

Hi all. Have you ever had a week that you wish never happened. That was my week. First hubby went out of town last weekend. Then I slammed my right hand thumb (yes, I am right handed) in my car door on Sat. My thumb swelled and swelled until I could not handle the pain and had to go to the doctor on Tuesday. I have been unable to type properly until today. Next I still had to do some homework for my classes that was due on Sunday . Needless to say it took a while, only typing with my left hand. Monday was spend on the phone attempting to track down and get a hold of the Dean of my school with no luck. Tuesday was the doctor and attempting to pay the house taxes - fun fun. Wednesday was a lot better. The Phillies are the National League Champs and they are on there way to the World Series. Yesterday was a halfway better day. Just working on school. As of today I still have not heard back from the Dean of my school to set up a time to review the subject matter of my 80 pg research project I have to complete in order to receive my Masters degree. Oh yeah, hubby is off of school for this week. It is his break between the semesters and he is doing nothing but complicating my routine.

Maybe next week will be better. You can always hope. Now I have to attempt to work on the 80 pg paper again. Wish me luck :)

Christmas Bag

This bag was made to hold the items below. Now this technique is a little tedious. I have to admit I was mumbling everything thinkable under my breath. The sides kept on ripping on me. Anyway, I was able to get past that and they turned out great.

Here is the recipe:
Stamps: Snow wheel and Snowflakes

Ink: Encore Silver and Bordering Blue

Accessories: white envelope, silver eyelets, and ribbon

Techniques: Bagalope

Box or Ornaments

The next item was this box of ornaments. The boxes were made by following this tutorial.

Here is the recipe:
Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year
Paper: Handsome Hunter, Rose Red, and Non-Stampin Up holiday paper, Water Color
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Crayon, Ornaments, Five-In-One Template, Ribbon
Techniques: Five-In-One Template

Bows

Like I said before - I love techniques. I am involved is a monthly stamp club and last year I made some items for them.The one of the items are the bows pictured above. They were made with SU!'s Holiday Thyme DP.

Faux Silk

I love techniques!!! This card was made for a swap that I participated in on Splitcoast. The faux silk technique is very easy to follow. Yes, those are sparkles in the tissue paper. I have absolutely no idea where to find the sparkle paper. Once you use the sparkle tissue paper with this technique you will not be able to use normal tissue paper. Oh yeah, if anyone can find more please let me know. I have absolutely no idea where to get the sparkle tissue paper.

Here is the recipe:
Stamps: Best Blossoms and Oh, So Lovely
Paper: Old Olive, Perfect Plun, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Markers and Brads
Techniques: Faux Silk and Paper Piercing

Better late than never

OK, it has taken me a little longer than I wanted to get back here, but school and an 80pg paper need to come first right now. Like I said, I am currently working on my Masters in Accounting and I am in my last semester. I am taking three classes and one of them is the theses/research project. Well any who lets get off the school talk and lets talk about the cards.

First Blog Ever

Hi guys. I finally took the plunge and I am slowly creating my very first blog. I have a lot of catching up to do since I have been stamping for about 2 years now. Like I said in my "about me" I am currently a Graduate student (Masters in Accounting) and a housewife. The housewife part has been fun because we moved into a new house a year ago and I have been able to work in the yard more than usual and school has been keeping me busy.

I need to go now and take care of some school work, but I will be back to upload some cards and projects later in the day.