A Blog Award!

I've been awarded this blog award by Nikki over at Widdle Shamrock. I love reading her blog for pure entertainment value. She has a great sense of humor (and she posts hot hunk pictures on Thursdays!)

The rules of the award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated

So...here are five of my fellow blogger friends to go visit...(I couldn't come up with seven!)

Jamie - Jamie's blog is mostly about family events but also has some scrapbook pages. Lots of nice pictures!

Concetta - Concetta's blog has some great cards. She is my friend that I stamp with a couple times a month. I got her hooked on stamping when my oldest son was in her classroom. Now my youngest son has her as his teacher. I'm so lucky!

Kristy - Kristy does AMAZING scrapbook layouts. You gotta go visit her blog and check her out!

Marcia - Marcia is one of my fellow SBS sisters. She has some beautiful cards on her site. In particular, her watercoloring blows me out of the water.

Ya Ya's Mom - This is another blog that is fun to read just for reading sake. Very entertaining. She is a fellow stamper/scrapper but it isn't what she talks about here on her blog.

Now according to the instructions, follow the thang below.

So who reads my blog?

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! And if we’ve never met in real life, leave me a comment of your favorite post I wrote and why it was your favorite.2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually really funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I'll be posting the last of my sneek peeks tomorrow...so come back and visit for some cool masculine stuff!

Jane

More Sneak Peeks!

I had SO much fun making this little recipe book. The set(s) I used are "My Favorite Recipes" and "Coaster Journaling".

My Favorite Recipies contains 35 stamps for just $9.99. It contains a few bigger words (Family, Recipes, My favorite, Holiday), a few artsy images to decorate with, and then a bunch of smaller words for the categories (like pastries, side dishes, cookies, casseroles, canning, etc).

Ok...without further ado...here are some pictures of my book. I had a hard time getting it to photgraph well. The green turned out more "neon" in color that it truly is. In real life this little book has a vintage feel to it. I sponged all the edges with brown ink to distress and add to that effect.

To put it all together I used my friend's Bind It All machine. That is still on my Christmas wishlist if there is a Santa hiding somewhere! LOL.

Cover:


Inside Front Cover and First Divider Page:


Back of Divider Page and Sample Recipe Page:


A bit of a side view so you can see all of the pages/dividers/tabs:


This really was a fun set to work with. And with the holidays approaching...I see more possibilities to use it approaching!

Jane

Tutorial - Stamp Rolling

This technique looks great with leaves or fruits in particular.

Supplies Needed:

(This is simple...you only need two things!)

Solid image stamps
2 or 3 coordinating inks
(I used a sunflower yellow, an olive green, and a burgandy red)

Step One:

Ink up your stamp in the LIGHTEST color (in my case the sunflower yellow)



Step Two:

WITHOUT cleaning the stamp - pick up your next darkest color (in my case the olive green) and roll the edges of the stamp in it.



Step Three:

WITHOUT cleaning the stamp - pick up the last color (here it's the burgandy) and roll just the very outside edges of the stamp in it.




Step Four:

NOW you can stamp the image! Clean the stamp and start over if you need more than one image. Always move from the light color to the darker color and clean between actual stampings.

Here's a few of the leaves close up:



I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! Like I said, this is one of my favorites and it's SO easy once you get the hang of it.

Have a wonderful day!

Jane

September Sneak Peek - Day One

This will be my last month serving on the Clear Dollar Stamps Design Team. I've enjoyed doing it and they've enjoyed having me. I've served three "terms" and it's time for me to move on and make room for someone new to have the opportunity. SO...enjoy your last "sneak peek" preview days from me this month.

The first set I'm sharing is simply called "Leaves". It is a set of 15 stamps for $14.99. It includes 8 different leaf stamps and 7 different sayings.

Sample One:


This first sample is a simple card to make but dramatic because of the color contrasts. At least I think so...LOL. I used post it notes to do a reverse mask and leave the square open in the middle of the card. I sponged on green ink then removed the post it notes to make a nice block where I could stamp my leaves. I stamped the leaves in black. Then added a saying and mounted the white to green and added the embellishments.

Sample Two:


The second sample is also pretty simple. Used tone on tone stamping for the background. I just wanted something a little unusual on the card so I used the layered "triangles" behind the main image.

Sample Three:


This last sample is a simple layout (that I stole from one of my SBS sister's cards she sent me). It uses one of my favorite techniques...stamp rolling. If you notice...my leaves aren't all one color. I'll post a tutorial on how I did this either later tonight or tomorrow. For now, I wanted to share the card along with the others using the set.

The thing I love about leaf stamps is that they are multipurpose. They work great for men or women. They work for everything from sympathy to birthday cards. If you only have space for a few sets...make sure one of them is a leaf set.

Jane

How ya doing Cupcake?

I saw a template for a cupcake card and had to give it a try myself. Very little stamping involved here (just the saying). I ran the base of the cupcake through a crimper and the top of the cupcake through the cuttlebug with the swirl embossing folder. I think it came out really cute! The saying is from Clear Dollar Stamps.



Isn't it cute? Looks almost edible. The pattern didn't say exactly how to make it and since I was making the top and bottom seperate I made them both fold open. So on my card you fold the top of the cupcake up and then the bottom of the cupcake down to see the full inside. I lined the inside with white cardstock so it can be written on.

Hope you enjoy!

Jane

Loco for Changitos!

Sorry I've been MIA. Just not feeling overly creative lately. But I do have a couple things to share and then later this week I can start sharing the new release samples that I've been working on for my Design Team work. So...this week should have LOTS of posts (including some tutorials!) So check back often!

I think you all know I like the Stampendous Changito monkey stamps, right? Well, I think this little guy is my favorite...and I don't even own him! Luckily my friend does own him. His name is Loco. I just like him because he's so playful looking. They make another similar stamp with two monkeys sticking their tongues out at each other...I think that one is cute as well. And then....last night I was browsing and what did I find???? A whole bunch of NEW Changitos! Wow! They are coming out for the holidays. Check them out HERE. In particular I LOVE the Miranda one and the Elf one. Some of those new halloween Fluffles are pretty darn cute as well. I don't own any Fluffles and I'm not generally a cat fan...but I do think the Fluffles line is cute. Anyways...on to the viewing of LOCO.





I tried to take a closer up photo to show some of the dimension and the textures on this card. Hopefully this turns out well enough that you can see it. I used the circle nestabilities to cut and emboss the center white circle, then used a larger size nestie for the scallop circle. The background is done with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder. And then there is lots of faux stitching on here as well.

Well, I need to head off to bed. The night goes by SO fast...and before I know it it's the next day and time to go back to work. Hellish cycle it is! LOL.

Have a great night/day! (Depending on what part of the country you are in and what time of day you read this!)

Jane

More Puppy Pics!

You are probably sick of Chewy pics by now...but I'm not! LOL. So guess what I'm posting?

This is Sophie and Chewy...Chewy is attempting to get her to play with him. She is laying down flat (for size comparison). She's a Chow/German Shepard mix. I do believe she will eventually be the first one to play with him. She's so very gentle and sweet (and is submissive to our other shih tzu).



He knows his name now. You call him and he comes running with his little tail wagging (now if that little tail would quit pooping in the house we'd be happy! LOL.)

Here's a last photo...he's chewing on my seven year old's toes. He wakes me up by chewing on my fingers in the morning. Let's just say he'g going through that chewing phase.



Well, maybe a little cuteness to start your day off will make it a happy day? Or maybe the fact that tomorrow is FRIDAY will help? I know I'm going to have a crazy next couple of days at work. Good thing is my Thursdays and Fridays go fast because they are always busy. Bad thing is...that they are always busy! LOL.

Jane

New Artwork...as promised!

I received this image from one of my SBS4 sisters and decided to play with it. It's colored in with my prismacolor pencils. I used stickles (fine glitter glue) on the "wings" (I haven't quite figured out these images yet...are these wings? Angels? So confused!) I also added glitter glue to the mini brads for a bit of glimmer. Isn't he cute?



I've been asked to demo at an upcoming scrapbook and rubber stamp expo! It sounds like fun...and a way to earn some crafting money that I can spend without guilt. ;-)

I received a wonderful package from one of my Secret Sisters today (I have two). She sent me this bracelet that she'd made with beads for all four of my children along with some stamping/scrapping goodies. It touched me.

I went to the doctor yesterday. My shoulder has been hurting for about 2 months...ever since my (then) 7 year old decided to jump from the top bunk of his bed and play "catch me Mom". When I caught him I heard my shoulder pop. And it hasn't been the same since. So I finally drug myself to an ortho doctor. They think I probably tore the rotator cuff. That's not good news. They will do an MRI and then we'll go from there as far as deciding treatment (conservative is anti inflamatory drugs and cortizone shots...agressive is surgery). I went to pick up the antiinflamatory meds last night and the prescription was $50! (That's with insurance!) I told them to keep it and call the doctor to see if there is a Tier 1 or 2 drug that they cover. Geesh...I pay $1000 a month in premiums and still have a $50 copay. I hate our insurance. I'll owe 10-30% of the MRI depending on who does it. I won't even go on my insurance/health care rant here. Ugh.

Have a great one!

Jane

I am an Innovator

I promise I have artwork to share...just haven't had time to take photos. So...in the meantime...here's a little "blog" quiz I took on "What Role Do You Play in the World?"

You Are the Innovator

You're the type of person who is always a step ahead of everyone else. You thrive when you're experimenting with new designs, ideas, and attitudes. You are a creative person with many talents. You have to have artistic outlets in your life. You need to create - whether it's writing furiously or redecorating your home. If not, your life becomes chaotic. You tire of doing the same thing every day. You change your job, friends, and personal style often. You are at your best when you have a focus. If not, you develop a flaky artist's temperament.

What Role Do You Play?

Also, to share a little humor check out this link to Charlie Bit My Finger

Ok...I'm off to work.

Jane

New Puppy Pic

Had to share a new picture...this is titled...

Chewy in the Hand



As you can see his hair is getting longer. He's also full of energy (although you wouldn't guess it from the picture! LOL.) Wants to play all the time...our other dogs still will have nothing to do with him. Hoping that time will help.

Ok...gotta go to work. Happy Friday everyone!

Jane

Ahoy there matie!

I traded for some of the new High Hopes Images from Chrissy again. Chrissy does some amazing work...if you'd like to see more just click on her name to view her SplitCoastStampers gallery.

This pirate is one of their new releases...isn't it adorable?



I couldn't resist using lots of gold embellishments for my little pirate!

Thanks for looking! Guess I have to go to work since I didn't find me a treasure! LOL.

Jane

Sleep deprivation...

Ok...anyone have any tips for getting some sleep with a new puppy? He doesn't cry if he's in bed with us. And I wouldn't mind him sleeping with us except for the fact that he is SO small (all one pound 5 ounces of him) that I'm afraid we are going to squish him or send him flying with the tug of a blanket he happens to be laying on. So when he is in bed with us I sleep extra light. I put a box by the bed with one of our shirts and one of his toys in it. If he's sleeping I can sometimes stick him back in the box and he'll sleep briefly but then be crying again to get back to us. After almost a week of next to nill for good sleep I am exhausted. Tonight I tried to let him cry it out but I couldn't take it. So here I sit at 2:30 a.m. awake with him. Putting him in bed was pointless - I still wouldn't be getting any decent sleep. I actually thought if I could find a big box I'd put him in a box in another room so I would have to hear him cry and maybe I could get a half a night of sleep. But I can't find a big enough box. Ugh....

Well, as long as I'm awake I might as well post my next card. This is one that I made with my new stamp that my Secret Sister sent me. Isn't it cute?



This is another of the Stampendous Changito stamps. I colored it with my prismacolor pencils. I love how it turned out. My friend, who is a teacher, got this card delivered to her on the first day of school.

Ok...guess that's all for now. He's happily sleeping at my feet. Grrrr.

Jane

Some Girly Fun

I don't generally do many pink cards (or pastels) but I got this image from Seleise and wanted to play with it. I love how the card came out! Thanks Seleise for sharing some TAC images (The Angel Company) with me.



Now, I'm off to work. Another day...another few dollars. :-)

Jane

I got some Blog Bling!

I was given some bling by Nikki. Thank you !!!!!

Here are the guidelines:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

For my nominees...I'd like to nominate the following people:

1. Linda - Linda was my upline when I was a Close to My Heart consultant. I'd never stamped before signing up. So she was my original "teacher" when it came to stamping. Go over and visit her new-ish blog and tell her to post more often! She does amazing stuff...just needs to post more often. LOL.

2. Ya ya's Mom - I'm not sure if she wants her real name out there or not...so I'll honor the name she uses on her blog. YYM (my 3 letter acronym for her) and I got to be good friends when we were both CTMH consultants. She allowed me to stay at her house during convention so I wouldn't have to pay for a motel. Isn't that sweet? Her sense of humor and writing cracks me up.

3. Liane - Another part of my former CTMH team. Go check out her blog for some artwork and her sense of humor.

4. Marcia - She's a part of my Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers group and she does AMAZING work. Go check her out!

5. Jen - A fellow designer for Clear Dollar Stamps (she also designs for other companies as well). Great stuff for inspiration on her blog.

6. Laurie - Our Design Team Coordinator...great artwork and samples.

7. Monique - And lastly, another Design Team Member. Love her detail work.

For the record, I really wanted to include my friend Concetta...but the only link I can find is her old blog on Blogger and I know she's changed since then. I thought I had it saved in my favorites. But I guess not!

Ok...now I really NEED to go get ready for work. Hope everyone has a great day! We've ALMOST made it to Friday!

Jane

Monkeys Everywhere!

I saw a card similar to this (with the four cutout circles) on another blog and wanted to try it myself. I added another layer to the circles. It was a lot of work...not sure it was worth the effort! To top it off...when I got to the last circle on the cardstock my circle punch quit working. (Anyone know why or what to do?) So I had to kind of cut one out by hand. That's why it's lopsided a bit.



All stamps are from Clear Dollar Stamps.

Jane

Our Newest Addition!

Had to share our newest addition! This is Chewy (short for Chewbacca). He's a six week old shih tzu. Isn't he just the cutest thing?

Chewy and Dakota:


Chewy and Mario:


And for size comparison...here is Chewy with a can of Campbell's Soup (regular size can NOT the family size can):


We've only had him a few hours but he's doing great. I think this was a good age with the kids. They are old enough to love having a puppy but also old enough to be gentle with him and help with him. The Mom and Dad were both under 10 pounds so this guy should stay pretty small. He is dwarfed by our regular shih tzu and you should see him next to the shepherd/chow mix! Luckily she is the most docile creature on earth.

Anyways, just had to share! I'm so happy to have him!

Jane

Raining Cards!

I belong to a group called the Sisterhood of Blogging Stampers 4. I just participated in a swap with them and received some wonderful cards that I wanted to share with all of you out in cyberland. AND I made quite a few cards myself this weekend so there should be something new each day this week! So come back to visit!

Without further ado...let the "raining" of cards begin...

This first card is from Kelly L. It's the first card I received. I love the clean line and the piercing at the bottom of the card.



The second card is from Marcia P. over in Austrailia (one place I have always wanted to go visit!) She did some paper piecing on the dresses and hats and I love the glittery flowers. She sent me a variety of images to play with. Thanks!



The third card is from Deb over in Scotland (that's the coolest thing about these swaps is getting mail from other countries!) These images are very popular outside of the US and seem to be catching on here as well. What I love though? Is the paper piecing on this one and the unique cut of the card. Deb also included some images for me to play with. Yay!



Here's a close up of the image with the paper piecing so you can see it better:



And the last card I received is from Seleise B. The image is from The Angel Company. I love the pink/black color combo. Seleise also sent me some images to play with. One of which I played with yesterday and will be sharing later in the week.



Thanks to all these wonderful women! I love all the cards. It was nice to come home to a surprise in my mailbox. I still may receive more and if I do I will post them as well.

For all my visitors...you can find links to these ladies blogs at the right hand side of my blog under SBS4 - Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers 4.

Have a great day!

Jane

Blog Candy Winner!

The winner of my 20,000 hit blog candy award is....
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are you ready?
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really ready?
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The winner is Helen who said:
"My fav, except for the kitties, would have to be Treasure Hunt...we are all about Get Smart around here!
Thanks!
Helen"

Helen, send me an email (there is a link at the top right of my blog) with your address and last name. And I will order Treasure Hunt for you!

Thanks everyone for playing and for visiting me. I feel so special out here in cyberspace.

Today and tomorrow I plan on playing a bit. I already have next month's stamps to play with (and I'll say that I love them!) but I also got a new Changito stamp from my Secret Sister that I haven't played with yet either. So I'll try to make a mixture of stuff so I'll have some I can share here on my blog for now.

Have a great Sunday!

Jane