Don't You Just Love New Stamps?

I received an order the other day from Impression Obsession and I was so impressed with the service. The image I decided to play with today is called Starflake. I first stamped my focal image in Night of Navy and I tried not to center it. I then stamped the same image in Sahara Sand ink off the edges. I used a couple of shades of blue pencils and OMS to color the flake and then added gems for a bit of sparkle. I matted on a light blue and then onto a Sahara Sand card base. My sentiment is from Inkadinkado as are the tiny little flakes. The tiny flakes are accented with an opaque white gel pen.

My inside sentiment is "There's snow place like home for the holidays". Not the traditional Christmas colors, but I think that it works. So, I guess I have officially started Christmas. What a relief! I don't want to jump the gun too fast as their looks like there will be some amazing new stamps to play with after the Gina K. release party tomorrow night. If you get a chance, stop buy the Gina K. Designs link over at Splitcoast Stampers at 8:00 p.m., Thursday for some fun contests and amazing inspiration! Have a wonderful day!

Girly Girl Card!

Happy Saturday! Okay, so over at Stamp TV this week, Lynn has made a girly request for the potluck challenge. What do you wear that you can't get enough of? Is it shoes? Is it purses? Maybe it is jewelry. You are to take that item and show it on your card. Could be you just like clothes! Well, I am not a great clothing shopper but I am known to like a nice purse. I also like jewelry (esp. antique) and if I decide to do a second entry, it will be that.

The purse stamps I used are from Denami Design. The sentiment stamps are from 2 of my magnetic sets from Making Memories. I am pretty sure that the dp's are from K&Co. Paper piecing was a must to pretty up these purses. I also used a cute, cute girly stamp to do my inside. It is made by Uptown Rubber Stamps. I used a Fiskars border punch to add a bit of interest to the front. I really don't think that anything girly would be complete without some pearls and gems to bling it up! I think I was pleased with the results.

Hope you are doing something exciting today! Perhaps you took a few deep breaths are doing something you have put off for a really long time (wink, wink, Colleen). DH promised we would go out and do something fun this evening so I can't wait to see where we end up! See you soon!

Finally a post!

Sorry I have not posted for a few days but there have been some family things that have kept my mojo on a low level. It's time to kick the worries to the curb, and get back in the swing of things.

As much as I would love to get started on Christmas cards, I needed another Thanksgiving card for sending.


I used a collage stamp for Outlines Stamp Company. The stamp name is "Split Layering Collage-Blessings H-794. One of my very favorite things about Outlines stamps, is that you can cut all the images apart to lay them out on your card in different ways. I colored it in pencils and markers, layered it on a white and chocolate layer to give it a nice edge. When I was done it still needed something so I pounced it with my Versamark pad and added one layer of UTEE. Now this left the piece with a bumpy texture, and I had every intention of adding more UTEE and perhaps doing cracked glass technique on it. I ended up just loving it with the one coat. It looked more like stained glass. My dp is an unknown. My sentiments inside and out are from Theresa Momber's new set "Autumn Beauty" which is available through Gina K. Designs.


Have a sweet Autumn day and be creative!

Finishing Up Fall

Since tomorrow is the first day of Autumn, I figured I should finish up my cards so I can get them into the mail. Wasn't it just summertime with trips to the beach and catching fireflies? Sheesh, that sure went fast! Now it is time for apples and the smell of cinnamon and cooking things that need to simmer all day long. YUM!

This is also the week where my night time in the stamp room grows shorter. It's the new TV premiers this week..... ohhhh Grey's Anatomy, House, Dancing with the Stars, etc. How fun!

Okay, for my first card I would like to share one that I created with stamps that I dug out of my stash. I know that I purchased these during the 90's and they are from a company called " The Artist Stamps". My center border was made using green apple Pure Luxury card stock that was punched with my Threading Water, Fiskars punch. The watercolor looking DP is from Flavia's Peaches and Pomegranates collection. The die cuts and frame around the doves head are from K&Co. I really think I kept K&Co in business when I was scrapbooking! I must find little ways to use all these things up. Am I the only one who has hoards of this stuff?


My second card was made using one of those dollar bin stamps from Michaels. I believe the ribbon is also a dollar find. I stamped the pumpkins multiple times using Dusty Durango from SU. I went over the stems and tendrils with an olive Marvy marker. I water colored in the dirt and added some brush marker strokes to give the effect of grasses. Sorry, the dp is another grab from my stash. Again I went to K&Co. for this chipboard element. Yippee, I used something else! I feel like my card shapes get so boring but I absolutely hate having to put two first class stamps on a card because it is square! I don't mind adding the extra 17 cents if I get a little heavy. I do add that often as I am always afraid my recipient will have to pay postage due. LOL!

Number three, is one I sent to my DD and her boyfriend to wish them a Happy Fall. We have had so many laughs over squirrels the past few years, that I thought this would be appropriate. This card is also using the bargain stamps from Michaels. They have come out with a matching line of papers and embellishment all of them have the brand name, Reflections. I love the papers as they have a distressed fell, are double sided and you are able to just buy a mat stack which is plenty for card making.

Sorry if I am being a wee bit long winded, but I am wide awake and had plenty of exercise today. It is a great time to get that fall cleaning done. Washing those single rugs and such so they can dry out in the breeze. Ripping down curtains to be washed. Who am I kidding, I will be snoring before my shows even come on tonight! Take care and Happy Fall Y'all!

In The Pink?

Good Morning! First I want to apologize since my blog is being wonky! My counter stopped working and the links in my previous post worked and now they don't. Grrrrr! I am just not good with this stuff! I would love to show you the first card I made with my new Lindy's Stamp Gang stamps! This image jumped right into my hand this morning and said pick me, pick me. Isn't this little flamingo too cute? As far as I know, that great sale is still happening . This little darlin is from the "Sad Sally Songbird's Gang". She can be found at the Lindy's store here . http://www.lindystampgang.com/ The images are really fun to color!

I think Fall is really on it's way. We actually had to take the chill off the house this morning. It was down in the 40's at daybreak. Now I think it will be fun to decorate! I hope whatever you do today, is fun and uplifting to your spirit! I may be back with another post if cooking does not keep me tied to the kitchen too long. It's a big sports day in my house and that should keep the DH out of my hair.

I Found an Amazing Deal

I just wanted to pass on a sweet deal that I found while surfing through my list of stamp sites. I don't know if you are familiar with Lindy's Stamp Gang, but there is a super deal going on over at their website. If you are a fan of whimsical images and cute sayings this may be for you! The sets of stamps which come as unmounted sheets of rubber, are very reasonable to begin with, but right now, if you buy 4 or more sets, they are just $4 a set. Their shipping is lightning fast. I received my order within days. I will be making some cards for my blog in the near future. If you go check it out, be sure to read Lindy's story at the bottom of the home page. Oh, and when you click on a theme, their are multiple sets under each. I personally bought 8 sets and may just have to go back for more! Have a great night!

School, Sports, Spirit! Blog Hop

I was just thrilled that Melanie Muenchinger asked me to be part of her Blog Hop! The "School, Sports, Spirit!" stamp set is a wonderful continuation of her designing talent. It is the perfect companion to her previously released set at Gina K. Designs, called, "Sporty Accessories".
For my first card, I worked with the field hockey images in the set. I found an copy of a correct field and altered it with the "go for the goal" stamp. My DD was a fine hockey player and all I can remember the coach yelling, was for them to keep their sticks down. This sport does not have a lot of cute things you can yell out during a game, as does baseball or football, etc. My background is the popular green apple and black onyx Pure Luxury card stock which is available at Gina K. Designs. I stamped the wonderful cleat stamp across the bottom and highlighted them with opaque white gel pen. My panel with the hockey stick and ball were colored in pencils and OMS, and then piercing was added. I created embellishments using circle punches and silver studs.

For my second card, I was drawn to the jacket stamp in the set. Using a tip I picked up from Melanie's blog, I cut the arm so that it could be lifted and a football placed under the arm! I colored everything in our local high school colors and plan on sending this card to a neighbor boy who has joined the school team for the first time. My card base is soft sand Pure Luxury card stock and the dp used is from Junebug by Basic Grey. I stamped "show your spirit" in Memento, tuxedo black ink on half of the card base to create a patterned background. All images were colored in pencils and OMS. I hope you enjoy the hop!

For even more samples of the School Sports Spirit stamp set, please visit the Illustrator of the set, Melanie Muenchinger's blog. Melanie will be offering her new stamp set as blog candy tonight too - so we hope you'll take the time to comment on her blog for your chance to win this spectacular stamp set!

After visiting Melanie, hop over to her guest designer Melissa Shultz's blog for a special card she'll be sharing with us tonight.

Melanie has also asked a few members from StampTV to join us in showcasing her new set, so please check out her friends' blogs here:

Mary Anne


Sharri Seffens

Then, stop by these GinaK Design Team Members' blogs participating in Melanie's blog hop tonight:

Gina Krupsky

Carolyn King

Donna Baker

Erika Martin

Jessica Fick

Lee Murphy

Theresa Momber

GinaK's CenterStage Design Team Member's blogs:

Geri Utterback

Tina Gilliland

Using Front & Backs

Many years ago, (15) while attending my first rubber stamp convention, I discovered Art Impression stamps. I didn't buy many at the time, but now I wish I had. I did however, purchase the catalog and it is one of my very favorites. These stamps are ones that I have gone to time and time again. The images are always the finest detail and really fun to color.
I created this card a year or so ago, and she makes me smile every time I am looking through my stash. Have you ever had one of those neighbors that you love to chat with over the fence or porch railing? They always have the best stories or advice? I had just such a neighbor in my first

home! We had the pleasure of living in a town home that belonged to DH's grandmom. We were the young couple and everyone knew him since he was a little boy. If you did not sit on your front porch in the evening, you missed all the neighborhood news. It was kinda fun. We even had one neighbor who sang Amazing Grace while she cleaned. It was heavenly! Anyway, my lady and sentiment are Art Impressions stamps. The flowers at her feet are stamps by Judith. I created the fence by hand and the flowers on the front of the fence are had drawn with Prima's attached. Everything is colored with OMS and colored pencils. I did some chalking to create the clouds and added so Stickles for sparkle. Art Impressions, has many fun people and animal stamps. The older stamps, still come up for auction on Ebay but you will pay dearly for them. They are well sought after. I don't think I would ever part with mine. Keep your eyes open and you might find a bargain. Have a great day!

What do Wheeee and Bump have in common?

This week, over at Stamp TV, Gina came up with an interesting challenge. It is called soot stamping. Now mind you, the challenge is not hard at all once you find the right soot maker. Lol! I tried so many different candles I never thought this challenge was going to happen. It ends up you need a cheapie candle. No Yankee's, no PartyLites, no Woodwicks and certainly not an expensive dinner taper. Just a plain old, junky, cheapo pillar candle worked perfectly! You must do it on glossy card stock and keep it moving so you don't catch it on fire. Once you get the paper good and sooty, just stamp a clean dry stamp right in the soot. The Motorcycle Mama is from 1991 and is a Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper stamp. Be careful you do not get it full of fingerprints after you stamp. Spray with a sealer or if you don't have any, hair spray will work. Just do not spray near your candle!!!!!!!

My second card was created the same way. It really does give a very eerie appearance. I think this is just perfect for any of your Halloween cards. This one was created using Gina K.'s Tree Silhouettes stamp set. My things that go bump in the night saying is a rub on from DCWV. The designer papers used in both projects, are Basic Grey, Eerie.

I am going to make this a short post tonight, as I am rather exhausted from weddings, birthday parties, cooking and just plain enjoying the last couple of days of my DH's vacation. Hope everyone had a fun filled weekend. See you soon!

Wedding Wishes

Good morning, everyone! About a year and a half ago, I received a frantic phone call from a dear neighbor and she told me that her daughter was getting married and would I help them figure out how to make "Save the Date" cards. She had a specific idea in mind so before they arrived at my door I came up with a version that I thought was elegant, but fairly simple. Well they loved it and I sent them home with a list of what they would need, my stamp and my sample. Months went by and I often wondered how they had made out. One day I came home from work and found a bag in my mailbox containing my stamp and a note. It said..... "Thanks but it did not go well so we decided to order them". I just smiled, realizing that wedding can be so frantic and totally understanding. Well here we are many months later, and Saturday is her big day. I decided that her wedding card just had to be made with that very same stamp! This is what I came up with. The flower is an Anna Griffin image made by All Night Media. My inside and outside sentiments are from Rupa Shevde's , "With This Ring" stamp set over at Gina K Designs. I used my Nestabilities Pendant die to create the lacy addition. Tiny dots of Stickles were added to the centers for a bit of sparkle.
Another cute little addition to this story is that the couple met in college at a party. After talking for a bit they realized they lived in the same town. After a bit longer, they realized they live one street apart their whole life. When I walk out my back door, I can see both of their houses! Isn't that just the cutest story?

Happy Labor Day! I am sorry Summer is at it's end for all you beach lovers and outdoors people, but I have been itching for Fall for weeks now. The new color challenge over at Stamp TV is to use Yellow, ivory and dark brown. My 2 light layers are ivory, Pure Luxury card stock and my deep brown is chocolate kiss Pure Luxury. Both are sold only at Gina K Designs. My huge tree was stamped in Memento, rich cocoa and is from PSX in 1995. I love this stamp and just do not find enough uses for it. I sponged on some SU, so saffron for the sky and saddle brown Stazon and rich cocoa for the ground. I mixed a few colors of Flower Soft and applied it to the ground to look like scattered fallen leaves.I wrapped my corners in swiss dot ribbon from an unknown maker. The sentiment is a rub on which I think worked well over the tree. I will eventually turn this into a Thanksgiving card. I am excited to have my DH home all this week! I am hoping we can do some day trip and have some much needed fun. Fingers and toes crossed on having good weather. There are some outside chores that also need doing. There is a brisket in the smoker which will serve as some yummy picnic food this evening. Have a fun, safe holiday!

Hoot Hoot!

Morning everyone! This is another post using my Limitless Limbs set from Pink Cat Studios. The set includes 2 different trees, which I think is so awesome. This time I used a fall theme and added apples and leaves. I just had to put Mr. Hooty McBoo in the top of the tree. Everything is colored in OMS and pencils and my apples are coated in Crystal Effects. Instead of bulky ribbon, I used a piece of chenille fiber as a bow. My sentiment is an unknown. The DP is from K&Co's Wild Saffron. The image is mounted on an amber card stock panel that has been punched with my new Martha Stewart Lattice punch. I have wanted that punch for months and finally, the big M had a coupon for 25% off Martha products. I balanced the top with a couple of amber crystals. Oh, and I hand drew my horizon lines so the tree was not dangling in space! The sky is sponged in blue and sunlit yellow.

What ever you do today, do it with a smile! See ya next time!

Age Takes It's Toll

I had this great saying stamp that I purchased from River City Rubber Works and have been trying to figure out how to use it. Hubby needed a funny card for a buddy at work, so I put on my thinking cap. I went scrounging on Google images, and came up with this black and white photo. I mounted it on a layer of Pure Luxury, soft sand card stock and then onto a white base card. I did the sentiment in a inside/outside format and cut the front part out in an oval Nestability. On the inside, I added Happy Birthday and the rest of the sentiment. Silver studs are my only extra embellishment.

Hubby has been keeping me real busy lately with all the cards he needs for work. I sure don't mind but I am so lousy with ideas for guy cards. Hope his buddy likes it!

I wanted to tell everyone about some sweet blog candy I found over at Jennie Harper's blog. If ya want to go check it out, you can do so here. She will be choosing the winner on September 7th. Her work over there is simply amazing!

On a more somber note....... One of my dear friends, Tina, over at Stamp TV lost her Father-In-Law to cancer today. I just want to express my deepest sympathy to her and her family.

Witch in Flight

I have been trying to complete some Halloween cards while I await an idea for a birthday card I have to make this week. I guess I think a vision is going to appear to me! Lol! Anyway, this was a fun card to put together. My background dp is from Creative Imaginations. The image of the moon and trees is a digi image I have had for ages. I wish I knew who created it so I could give credit. It very much reminds me of the moon in ET. I printed the image in duplicate and stamped this swirly witch from Inkadinkado on each. I added a tiny bit of diamond Stickles to her trailing stars. They were then each mounted on a layer of Pumpkin Spice Pure Luxury card stock from Gina K Designs. I used black organza ribbon across the bottom of each and sparkling orange brads in the top corners. I had sticky paper ribbon from K& Co in the shape of bats and added that below. A simple Trick or Treat is stamped on the inside. It really feels good to be ahead on something! Hope you are having a productive day also!