A little Christmas in March?

In honor of the ice and snow we had this weekend, I've decided to show you a few little Christmasy somethings :) These are some of my Winger Design Team projects for the Paper Wings Gallery. There are a ton of wonderful projects found there using TAC stamps & products, so you should probably go take a lookie-see!

First up is this small mason jar candle, caramel scent. I found these at the Dollar General Store, and there were some really pretty colors to work with: caramel, vanilla, & strawberry. I thought these made great gifties at Christmas.

Stamps: Simply Christmas, Fresh Air Favorites

Paper: Amelia SWIC & Cardstock

Ink: Bordeaux, Cognac, Jardin Moss, & Burnt Umber Palettes

Other: Christmas Red Stickles, Amelia Ribbon, misc. ribbon, Pop dots, distresser, Mega Scallop Circle Punch, brass eyelets

Next, how about these little Ghirardelli Mint Chocolate Scallop Squares? Yummy! Just hang them on the tree and see how long they stay there

{ mine never made it to the tree ;) }

Stamps: Sweet Goodies
Paper: Amelia Cardstock
Ink: Bordeaux & Jardin Moss Palettes
Other: Amberley Grace Ribbon, foam tape, Mega & Giga Scallop Square Punches, red & green Tombow markers, white gel pen

And finally, keeping with the whole yummy chocolatey goodness, this Ghirardelli Mint Pouch!

Stamps: Tag Tidbits

Paper: Amelia SWIC, Amelia Cardstock & misc. cream cardstock

Ink: Burnt Umber Palette

Other: Scor-Pal, misc. ribbon, Fiskars border punch, sewing machine, circle punches

This little baby would work as a gift card holder as well! If you would like a template, just email me and I can send it to you. The template isn't pretty, but it gets the job done! :)

So there you have it... a little Christmas in March.

What do you think?

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Scrappy ButterlyBits revisited...

Here's the second "scrappy recycled" card that I had made the other night. I definitely like this one better than the last one... probably because it has more layers and is much more collage-ish looking :) It also measures 3"x5-1/2".

Stamps: Butterfly Bits, Linear Sentiments, Go Abroad, Tag Tidbits, Creative Inspiration

Cardstocks: recycled chipboard base from TAC Workpad, White UltraSmooth, Reece (light ocean blue), Bazzill Mono-Pinks, Bazzill Mono-Blue Greens, misc. dark brown

Inks: Toile Pink, Belle Rose, and Burnt Umber Palettes

Other: White Scrapper's Floss, foam tape, Fruit Punch Stickles, misc. button & ribbon

The butterfly, brocade medallion, "we are friends" strip, and the small brown dotted white cardstock were all, again, in my "pile of stuff I might use later"! And I actually used them... un-freakin'-believeable! The butterfly wings are bent slightly so they "fly off" the page... get it... fly... ok, I'm a dork. Onward!

I foofed up the inside on this one, too... I really like it! And, again, it uses more scraps! The "with love" is popped up on foam tape, and the butterfly is covering up the staples that I used to attach the sheer ribbon.

The ocean blue cardstock is left over from cutting a small star out for a previous project. I roughed up the edges of most of the pieces with just the edge of my fingernail... this turns the edges up, but you don't get all of those loose little bits that end up flying everywhere.

What do you think?

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You've gotta be kidding...

Brrrrrrrr... yep, you guessed it... it is freakin' cold here in Kansas! There is ice on the mailbox and back deck, and a little on the back door. Why, yes... yes we WERE wearing shorts in 70+ degree weather a few short days ago. Jeebus. It is rainy and dreary out today, which is just perfect since I need to stay inside and clean anyway :( But, man... what a drag.

On to the good stuff! My pile o' scraps is becoming a mountain. So I made two cards last night without cutting into one single new pristine paper or cardstock sheet! I am so proud :) The card base is 3"x5-1/2" and is made from the chipboard backing from my TAC Work Pad! I should be able to get about 5 cards this size from that baby... I love recycling! I've really been favoring the Kraft cardstock look lately, so this is right up my alley. I'll show you one card today and the next one will be in my next blog post.

Stamps: Butterfly Bits, Linear Sentiments, Hinges (hostess set)

Cardstock: recycled chipboard, Bazzill Mono-Reds, White UltraSmooth, DCWV chartreuse, Cha Cha (yellow)

Ink: Toile Pink, Belle Rose, and Landscape Palettes, VersaMark

Other: Magic Mesh, foam tape, Fruit Punch Stickles

The butterfly was in my "pile of stuff I might use some day", so I didn't even stamp that last night! The mesh was left over from the ERC Crop goodie bag, and the scraps... well... they keep multiplying so who knows what project they came from :)

I even did just a little something on the inside... gotta use up those scraps somehow...

Here's another challenge, although not many people are taking me up on them: attack your scrap pile and do not use any "new" paper or cardstock (except for the base... that can be fresh) and create a card, scrapbook page, altered item... anything! Let's use those scraps, people!!

What do you think?

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Scraplings...

Finally! Some actual photos within the posts... geez. This is the little Scrapling make-n-take I had at the crop on Saturday. It's a wee little thing {sounds kinda Irish, huh?}, BUT the key is what you do with it! Scraplings are the little left-over chunka chunks that you get when you create a 4-1/4" square card from a typical A2 card (check the Hero Arts blog... they did some great ones using mailing labels!!).

Anyhoo, I've been needing to do more scrapping lately, so I decided to use the Scrapling as a page element for this 6x6 page. Why a 'cruise' page? Well, next year marks Poot's and my 10-year wedding anniversary, and we decided a long time ago that we would be going on a cruise to celebrate! I've only cruised once, for our honeymoon, and I loved it! So, this is just a little jump-start for the scrapbook I will... um, probably not... NO!... that I WILL complete for that event :)


Next up, Heather showed us how to use it as a bag tag... loved it! So, here's my version. It looks pretty different from the one above, just by changing the color palette. What's funny... both designer papers are from the same paper pack!!



Stamps: Flower Patch, Island Trees, Linear Sentiments, Tag Tidbits, Memo Fun, Playful Bet
Paper: Rustic Chic, Kraft cardstock, DCWV brown cardstocks, Amberley Grace cardstock
Ink: Burnt Umber, VersaMark
Other: misc. ribbon, paper piercer, sanding block, Mega & Giga Scallop Square Punches, Cloud Scissors, Pink & Red Scrapper's Floss, Copper eyelet


So, that's what I did with my Scraplings... what will you do with yours? CHALLENGE TIME!!! Use your Scrapling on something and link back in the comment section so we can all see!!

Well... what do you think?

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The Angel Company Contest!

I totally forgot to tell you! The Angel Company is having a fantastic design contest! It is open to demonstrators AND customers! You could win $100 in free stamps...

let me repeat that...

You could win $100 in free stamps!

Just go to the blog of TAC's founder & owner, Mischelle, and check out all of the details. There are four different catagories in which to participate, so there should be a niche for everyone! Mischelle has also been Angel-blog-hopping and was kind enough to mention my blog in her last post, along with another wonderful Angel, Debra! How flattering and exciting!!

Ok, I'm at my 'other' job and better get back to work... until next time!

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Just a little sumpin' sumpin'...

This is a scan of a few of the samples I made up with the goodie-bag items from the ERC crop yesterday. Patty asked the vendors to make up something to show the croppers ideas of how to use their items. My favorite creation that I gave to Patty was a little 'Boo Bag'... yep, you guessed it: I forgot to take a picture! I'm hoping my BFF snapped a pic of the table set up!

I'm not sure who the manufacturers are for most of the items, but the rub-ons are Karen Foster and there was Magic Mesh that I used as a stencil for the white paint from Pebbles, Inc.

I added the cutie pa-tootie moon-cow from An Udder Birthday stamp set, along with the White UltraSmooth card base, Bazzill Mono-Blues, and scored a few lines with the Scor-Pal... all to compliment the swirly journaling block that I turned into an image mat :)

My baby, Thor, is showcased in the center of another journaling block that I made into a photo frame (I know, I know... he IS adorable)!

The other two items, 3x3 giftie card w/ pocket envelope, was fun to make. I used the rub-ons on top of the glitter chipboard letters after painting the pattern on the paper base. For the card, I stamped the circle & star from Creative Inspiration in VersaMark and 'For You' from Memo Fun was stamped with Noir Palette. I finished it off by punching a circle and tying a bit of gingham ribbon from our Black & White Ribbon collection. The card slides down and the knot shows through the notch in the pocket.

Next time, I'll show how I took my Scrapling make-n-take and turned it into a bag tag & a scrapbook page! As for my goodie-bag samples...

What do you think?

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Hostess Club Announcement

Sorry for another quickie, pictureless post, but I keep forgetting to send this announcement and now it is crunch time!! I'm getting ready to leave w/ my BFF Laurie, to visit my BFF Cindy, in Topeka... they have graciously agreed to help me with my booth at the ERC Crop tomorrow! If you want to come and see me, I love visitors!! [... and I totally don't mean that in a prison inmate or asylum patient kind of way] :) The ERC Crop & Shop will be held at the Holiday Inn Holidome at 6th and Fairlawn... starting at 8:30 am!!

Back to my announcement...

Want to get out of the house for a few hours, one day a month, and gather with other creative types?
JOIN MY TOPEKA or GARDNER STAMP CLUB
DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: April 1

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every month we get together and make a variety of projects like cards, scrap pages, altered items, etc. My Stamp Clubs are usually the first to know about upcoming specials and new techniques!

On Club Night, I’ll have a project or two lined up. I bring the bulk of the materials. You’ll need to bring your own adhesive and scissors. You can use any of my products I have for free (stamps, ink, etc.)! All you have to do is place an order for TAC products. The cost & duration depends on how many sign up. Each Stamp Club session lasts for as many months as there are members. For example, if seven sign up, the cost would only be approximately a $20 order and the duration would be seven months! Each member takes a turn being a hostess and reaping all of the hostess benefits!! {you do not have to pay your minimum when it is your hostess month!}

Once you sign up, you must agree to go through the entire round, so that it is fair to the other members. If you are unable to physically make it to a meeting, you are still required to fulfill your minimum purchase… I just request that you email me the order that week, and I can take debit/credit cards over the phone/email, or I can have you drop off a check (whichever is easiest for you!).

If you do not live near either location, and would still like to receive project kits and/or join the club & have your order shipped to you, I would be more than happy to accomodate you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or email me!!

Blog Candy Winner is...

Thanks for all of your lovely comments... they really mean so much to me!

Ok! The lucky number is...

"20
Random numbers generated Mar 19 2009 at 19:25:22 by www.psychicscience.org."

Which means, Suzann is the winner:

"suzann said...
I've linked you to my blog, so check me out at: sue-scraphappy.blogspot,com
March 16, 2009 10:29 AM"

Congratulations, Suzann! Please email me your info so I can get your goodies sent off sometime next week (my email link is located in my sidebar)!!

Mini-album Quickie & Happy Birthday to Me :)

***enter blog candy drawing before 3pm tomorrow on THIS POST***

Another mini-album! This one is the Rockin' Roxie Timesaving Kit from TAC. I did this one super fast, so there are no fun moveable or interactive pages, but I can see making a bunch of these in a flash for teacher's gifts, updating the grandparents, friends... the list goes on.

Kit/Paper: Rockin' Roxie Kit, Miss Moxie SWIC & Cardstock

Stamps: BooKoo Blessings , Swirlies

Ink: Noir, L'Amore Red, Chartreuse, Cote d'Azure, & Orangerie Palettes, and VersaMark

Other: Winchester Hardware (large eyelets), Miss Moxie Ribbon, misc. staples & buttons, and Scrapper's Floss in a TON of colors!!

I just LOVE Scrapper's Floss {really I do}...

And I really think this album just screams kids or fiesta or par-tay time!

What do you think?


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SHARE YOUR ART!!

I was over at Bcrafty's blog while hopping around, and I think it is a fantastic way to share our art!

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Could be a card with which I am really pleased, a pin I made, a doodle or something else all together LOL! My choice!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make although I hope you do!
2. What I create will be made with you in mind so you won't get something I already made unless I think it suits you to a T.
3. It'll be done sometime within the next 2 months.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. The catch is that you must offer this blog candy on your blog! Re-post this on your blog, offer something you make - your choice - to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog (then come here and post). Oh wait make that the first 4 people 'cause I am #1 {giggle}

Yep be sure to add my name to the #1 line on your blog post - I am the first participant and I am already offering to share. When you create your give-away you will be the #1 spot for players 2-5 on your list. The first 4 people to post this on their blogs and leave a comment here telling me they did (I will go to your blog to check that you have this posted) will get an art share handmade item from me. Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! SO ...................who will be next????

1. Bren
2. Suzanne
3. Nancy
4. Angela
5. Melisa

All full up! Give me a few weeks before you start stalking the mailbox, ladies!! :)

Mod-Vintage Birdie in a Cage...

***Don't forget to enter to win blog candy in my previous post!***

I've been wanting to play with this new BirdCage stamp set, and finally got a chance yesterday! I had a card base already made from a piece of Hemingway cardstock and was planning on doing some paper piercing... yeah, I know... there isn't one single pierced hole on this!! Funny how things totally turn around, isn't it?

Anyway, I love the retro top to the Happy Birthday sign from Hotel Signs, so I started with that in VersaMark. Then I stamped the Script Background twice on the right side with VersaMark, to create a subtle patterned base. I layered a scrap of old lace to divide the two images. I edged the entire card front with Burnt Umber Palette.

I stamped the birdcage in Burnt Umber on White UltraSmooth cardstock, added a bit of pink from a Copic marker, and edged it first in Belle Rose Palette and then again in Burnt Umber. I layered this on a bit of pink cardstock from Bazzill Monochromatic Reds. This panel is then popped up on Pop Dots.

Next up, this yummy pink velvet ribbon (I can't remember who the manufacturer is) & sheer organza from the Willoughby Ribbon collection. I topped it all off with a flower & buttons from the Lemonade Blossoms & Buttons and Audrey Embellishment Jar, tied with White Scrapper's Floss.

I think it looks a little Mod-Vintage...

What do you think?

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BLOG CANDY!

Did you think I forgot?! :) This papercrafting yumminess celebrates three things:


1. over 16,500 site hits
2. over 200 posts
3. my birthday is next Wednesday :)



What all is included? Fresh from CHA, we have glitter stickers, two different rub-ons (color!!), and a copy of the Jan./ Feb. Memory Makers magazine. Also, three small TAC stamp sets, a few 4" round blank coasters, several TAC stamped images, some Creative Cafe buttons, and a dozen charcoal-colored paper flowers (Bride's). Wait, there's more...
An acetate pocket mini album, Love Note card, and a 4-pack of Fall cards... all made by me :)

I'll leave this open until Thursday, March 19th at 3pm and will use an online random number generator to choose the winner.

How to enter: 1. comment on this post and share your favorite birthday memory. 2. If you are one of my Stalkers (Followers), or choose to start now, please enter another comment. 3. If you link up my blog on yours and announce my blog candy, enter another comment and leave your blog address!


Also, I have received a couple more blog awards {blush} :


The first is from Ana who became an Angel in February! The award is Best Blogger (and something else I can't read, lol, since it is tiny letters). Her blog is in Spanish, so my wonderful Angel friend, Diana, was kind enough to translate for me {mwah... big kiss}. In her message, she is thankful to receive the award, because it keeps her motivated to keep creating and posting. She wanted to share the award with those that inspire her... thanks so much, Ana! I included the English-translated link to Ana's blog... I hope it works!

I am inspired by so many people, it's not even fair to limit it! The easiest way (for me) will be to nominate all of the blogs I Follow... if I am listed as one of your Followers, please take this award!!

The second one is from Nancy at Inkcicles and is the Best Blog Comments Award. Thanks so much, Nancy... it's a pleasure to leave you comments (and not too hard to do!).

Please take this award and pass it on to your loyal commenters. Show them how much you appreciate their feedback. These are the ones who tell you if they find your post useful or not, who take you with them on their creative journies, who read each day and let you know that they did.

I have quite a few wonderful commenters... and I think you know who you are ;) Here are just a few:

Nicole, Michelle, Melisa, Anna, Suzanne, Sarah, Debra, Seleise, Chris

I know I've probably missed some, but again, you know who you are, so please take this award! Thank you all so much!

Pemberley Bay Matchbook Album...

Woo Hoo! Finally finished the Pemberley Bay Matchbook Kit that TAC gave us in San Antonio! I hadn't done much there because I was going on very little sleep (oh the fun we have) and just couldn't focus. I followed their directions for a few pages, but decided to just wing the rest (hence the "co-design" photo watermarks). I'm doing another slide show... do these work well for you guys? It's so much easier than posting a dozen photos! Just click on "view all images" for a larger lookie-see :)

Stamps: Interact

Kits/Paper: Pemberley Bay Matchbook Kit, Amberley Grace SWIC, Amberley Grace & Hemingway Cardstocks, misc. shipping tags & large coin envelope

Ribbon: Amberley Grace, Angelee, Reece, & Willoughby ribbons, Tan & Brown Scrapper's Floss

Ink: Burnt Umber Palette, Walnut Ink

Hardware: Antique Triangle Loops, Antique Copper eyelets, Antique Spiral Clips
Other: Acetate, Pop Dots, paper piercer

I've also done the Rockin' Roxie Matchbook Kit... I'm waiting for the sun to come out so I can photograph it. I actually completed it before the Pemberley Bay one, so I picked up a few tips:

1. Use foam tape (or similar) as spacers at the binding area... this allows for a more level look to album, especially when closed.

2. When using popped-up elements (or buttons in the case of RR), try to spread them out in different areas on different pages... don't just put them all at the 'open end' of the page. If not, it leads to an uneven look when closed.

3. Be careful when letting elements hang off the ends of the pages... top & bottom are fine, and you can do a teensie bit on the end (just not-so-much).

4. Be sure to do a 'dry run' with your pockets & tags... a couple of pages I did just use the photo mat as a pocket, and it really needed a bit of a gusset.

5. On the page with the triangle loop, eyelet & ribbon, I created a pocket with the AG paper by running strips of foam tape around three sides. This allowed plenty of room for a few tags and gives more dimension to the page.

My favorite page? I love the cover & binding, and all of the interactive pages, and the cool fancy frame page with the acetate window, and the foam tape pocket page... wait... did I just name every freakin' page?! ;)

By the way, I still have several tabs, photo corners, and two whole pages left over from the kit... hmmmm... what to make next...

What do you think?

Edited to add: TAC had pre-cut the fancy frame shapes with a die cutting system they had at the home office. I really like that shape, don't you? They provided everything except the stamp set, ink, the sheer binding ribbon, acetate, staples, foam tape, and some of the floss... pretty generous I think... it's great to be an Angel, huh?! :)

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A little more Rustic Chic...

**Editted to add: yummy blog candy from Melissa HERE**

I just noticed that I have well over 16,000 hits AND my last post was #200, soooooooooooo be sure to check back later this week to see what kind of blog candy I will be giving away!

On to tonight's cards: I, unfortunately, needed a 'get well soon' card quickly since I should have mailed it off A LONG TIME AGO {I'm kinda sucking as a friend in that department}! I needed a guy card which, as you know, is very difficult for me. Plus, I needed one that was flat, no bumpiness, so it would go right through the mail machines. This is what I came up with... I like parts of it, but other parts not-so-much.

Stamps: Trendy Greetings, Mini Medallions (retired)

Paper: Rustic Chic, Kraft cardstock, Bazzill Mono Blue-Greens

Ink: Burnt Umber Palette, VersaMark

Other: Crystal Laquer, stapler, misc. ribbon

I love the medallion border and the Crystal Laquer 'button' that is above the sentiment. I couldn't have bows, or frilly ribbon or whatever, so I kept the layout clean and simple. I'm not diggin' the way the cardstock 'ribbon' beneath the sentiment is looking, and I'm really not sure about the stapled ribbon on the left.

This next one is what I call 'leftovers'! It's a little 3x3 jobbie using some leftovers from the above card, and a couple of extras:

Stamps: Tag Tidbits, Criss Cross (Level B Hostess set)
Paper: Rustic Chic, Kraft cardstock, Bazzill Mono Blue-Greens, DCWV brown
Ink: Burnt Umber Palette, VersaMark
Other: paper piercer, Brown & Lime Scrapper's Floss, misc. ribbon & button

Another clean-line card, with just a little burst o' fun with the button & floss :) This particular piece from Rustic Chic paper is my favorite in the whole paper pad. Even though it starts to cross into the 'country fried' look { soooooooo not me :) }, it is one of my favorite 8x8 Wing It Collection paper pads.

I like the subtle butterfly beneath the greeting... me loves the VersaMark!! ;) And the pierced line across seems to 'ground' the whole card.

What do you think?

Lilly Flower Ribbon Book...

Well, I didn't finish it, but I'm going to share what I have so far ;)

First, the Frugal Find: one of my local Hobby Lobby's, in the fabric & trims department, carries bags of misc. ribbon for $1.99 (or $2.99?). In each bag there are 15 different ribbons with 2 yds. of each kind... 30 yards of ribbon for a couple of bucks! And almost all of it (in the two that I bought) is extra wide (1" or larger). And one was this 5" wide white satin!

[is it still considered ribbon if it is THAT freakin' wide?]

Anyway, I decided that it would make a beautiful little album/ journal cover! I took a bunch of pictures, so I decided to make a slide show for easy viewing. (You can click on "view all images" to view larger photos)

Stamps: Butterfly Bits, Memo Fun, Creative Inspiration, Swirlies, This Girl

Paper: Lilly Anna SWIC & Lilly Anna Cardstock

Ink: Belle Rose, Toile Pink, & Chartreuse Palettes, VersaMark

Other: Scor-Pal, Crop-a-dile Big Bite, Bazzill Bitty Blossoms, Icicle Stickles, Juliette Ribbon, Mimi Ribbon, Extra Jumbo Flower Punch, WeR large green eyelets, misc. ribbon, staples, & sewing machine

I folded it over on both ends and, using my Janome mini sewing machine, double-stitched the flaps to secure and also to create a decorative binding. I did all of my stamping and heat-set it, and punched holes and set the eyelets. I scored my cardstock pages to fit within the cover binding and punched holes through both.

I used the Juliette dark pink ribbon to lace in-and-out through the binding. I then took smaller pieces of the same ribbon and knotted the blossoms to the binding to cover the icky holes. On the inside, I took some green satin ribbon and tied a pretty knot.

I knotted a piece of pink ribbon and ran it from the back through to the front cover as a closure... it holds it closed without having to tie a bow or knot it at the front! I Stickled portions of the butterfly and the centers of the medallions on the front cover.

I started to work on the inside pages, but I just wasn't feelin' it late last night. I do like the first page (the pocket & tags one), but the others I'm not-so-thrilled with... we'll see when inspiration hits again. :)

What do you think?

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