Robin's Ramblings

Oh my!

2012-01-15T20:16:00.002-05:00

Woah! I haven't posted anything since last May! Oh my goodness .... it's time to update my profile.

I have moved TWICE since my last post. I am living and working in SC, near Parris Island. When I first moved here, my now-former roommate and I lived in a beautiful two story house. About six weeks after my arrival, she received a well-deserved promotion and was transferred to another project. Unfortunately I could not afford the house by myself, so I had to find another place.

However, that was OK, because I am now in a 2BR apartment, so guess what that means? Yep! I have a craft room! Yay!!!

Thinking of You

2011-05-15T13:10:00.000-04:00

Hello! It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. It's about time, don't you think?

This is a card that I made a couple of weeks ago. I like how it turned out and will most likely make more like it. There is very little stamping on this CAS card.

Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Asian Artistry (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Stamin' Up Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink white, unknown DSP for vase
Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, recycled light chipboard box (butterfly), Stampin' Up ornament and large oval punchs, Provocraft embossing folder

Featured Stamper, 4-10-2011

2011-04-11T12:25:00.003-04:00

This is my card for yesterday's Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.com. I chose to CASE this card from Becky's gallery. There were so many choices; her gallery is fabulous! The only things I didn't change were the sketch and the black layer. I did not cut out an oval using my nestabilites; I punched out an oval and a scalloped oval then layered them instead. I changed the image, color scheme, used different ribbon, and dry embossed the black layer. I ourposely left off the sentiment and will add that later when needed. Recipe

Stampset - unknown Inkadinkadoo

Cardstock: PTI cream, Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Baja Breeze, unknown dsp for scalloped oval

Ink: Archival Black, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

AccessoiresL Cuttlebug, "Vic toria" embossing folder, blender pen to color the image, Stampin' Up! ivory ribbon

Teapot Tuesday!

2011-04-06T11:28:00.004-04:00

This is my card for this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com. We were supposed to use cats because the recipient (Linda) loves cats. But, I used a butterfly because cats can't fly! LOL I used two Technique Junkie technique's on this card, Mulberry Magic and Fauz Rhinestones. I dont' have any mulberry paper so I substituted a used dryer sheet. The Crystal Effects ran together on the samller dots and so not all of my "rhinestones" turned out like they were supposed to. Oh well, I'm still happy with this card. I used a stamp from Papertrey Ink's Butterfly Kisses set on a piece of yellow designer paper, cut out both butterflies with Papertrey Ink dies , then layered them so that the top layer pops up. The ink is Momento yellow. Recipe

Stampset: Papertrey Ink Butterfly Kisses

Ink: Momento yellow, Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise

Cardstock: Papertrey ink white, Stampin' Up! Night of Navy, unknown dsp

Accessories: Used dryer sheet, Papertrey ink dies, border punch, Crystal Effects

Teapot Tuesday Challenge #136

2011-03-09T10:06:00.003-05:00

This is my card for yesterday’s Teapot Tuesday challenge.

We are dancingat the Roxy! How fun is that? I am doing the Bee Bop Wop … my little bees are buzzing across the card to get the nectar from that luscious flower with the polka dot center!

A BIG “Thank you” to Roxy71 for all the sketch challenges she has given us the last few years.

Recipe:

CS: PTI white, SU! Summer Sun
Ink: Summer Sun (marker), Distress Black
Stamp: unknown
Accessories: polka dot brad, prima flowers

March Card for Abby

2011-03-06T14:32:00.003-05:00

The Teapotters on Splitcoaststampers.com are sending cards to a young lady named Abby each month and this is my card to her for March.

Word on The Street is that Abby has recently gotten a pug puppy that she named Peach. The image I used is the closest thing I have to a pug puppy! And since she named the puppy Peach, I used Papertrey Ink's Melon Berry cardstock and ink as it is a nice peachy color.

I hope Abby likes this card. as much as I enjoyed making it for her!

SCS Keyword: CFABBYMAR

Recipe:

Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Papertrey Ink's white and melon berry
Image: Inkadinkadoo image, unknown sentiment
Ink: Papertrey Ink's melon berry, Stazon black
Accessories: clear glitter pen, Stampin' Up's Framed Tulips & Square Lattice embossing folders

Co-worker's Birthday Card

2011-03-04T07:45:00.002-05:00

This is the card I made for a co-worker's birthday. Finally! A card I am happy with and not embarrassed to give away!

I saw the idea for double embossing with two different Stampin' Up! folders online somewhere recently; I apologize, but I don't remember if I saw it on a blog or on a Yahoo Group. I liked her card and realized how easy it would be to do the double embossing.

It's hard to see the image, but this was a practice piece for the "Neutral Shadows" technique from Technique Junkies. I found the piece laying on my little table and decided to use it. Here are the steps to make this card:

Punch the image out with a 1-3/4" circle punch.

Stamp the sentiment

Double emboss the layer (Square Lattice folder first, then the Tulip folder)

Cut out the die cut

Glue the die cut to the embossed cardstock

Glue the image inside the center circle of the die cut

Attach rhinestones

Glue the card front to the base

Recipe:

Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark for embossing

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! - Marina Mist, Pear Pizzaz, Papertrey Ink white

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Well Scripted (sentiment), Studio G image

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Quikutz die, Stampin' Up! embossing folders, Rhinestones, Clear Embossing Powder

March already!

2011-03-02T07:16:00.002-05:00

No picture to share today, just some ramblings!

Sometimes things happen in life that are no fault of your own yet it affects you anyway. My roommate was laid off from her job a couple of weeks ago and decided to go back to Florida. Unfortunately I could not afford our apartment by myself, so I had to move, too.

Thankfully a co worker lives in the same complex and has a spare bedroom, so I moved in with her. I am glad it worked out that way - I was able to stay in the same apartment complex and I did not have the stress of having to quickly find a new apartment and move. She has a couple of small dogs (who I just love!) so I will be helping her take care of them.

It was a bit stressful, though, having to pack up and move so fast. I have not been able to (nor have I even wanted to) make a card in the last couple of weeks. Having to reorganize my stamping supplies in a new place and a trip to JoAnn's this past weekend helped get the creative desire flowing.

I made a couple of cards since Monday and another one is in the works, but I am not happy with them at all. They are both severely lacking. I guess "creative desire" does not necessarily equal "creative mojo!" One may be fixable (I have some ideas that might work) but the other had to go out today so "it is what it is."

OK, enough rambling for this morning! I hope all my friends out there in Blogland have a GREAT day!

Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday Challenge

2011-02-07T19:16:00.001-05:00

This is my card for the first Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge.

The challenge is to use a "Go To" sentiment and make a collage from the same sentiment. I used several Papertrey Ink sentiments to make my focal point.

Recipe:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink white, Stampin' Up! concord crush, unknown designer paper (bird punchies)
Ink: Stampin" Up! concord crush
Accessories: Martha Stewart bird punch, unknown polka dot brads

Mini VSN

2011-01-24T19:02:00.002-05:00

Last weekend, Splitcoaststampers.com held a Mini VSN (Virtual Stamp Night); there were 6 challenges posted. A challenge thread is posted and you have 45 minutes to make your card. You don't necessarily have to take the picture & upload it within that 45 minutes, this is a fun night of challenges based on the honor system. All pics had to be uploaded by 8 p.m. tonight to be eligible for any prizes that may be awarded.

The Mini VSN was a prelude to next month's VSN Weekend. Lots of chocolate is consumed all over Stamping Land! Probably some wine, too, but we'll not talk about that!

This card is for the first Mini VSN Challenge, seen HERE over at Splitcoastampers.com. This was a combination challenge - sketch,color, and punches or dies, and the only stamp is the sentiment.

I punched three hearts, folded them in half, and glued them together to make the flower. I used a sizzlet die to make the leaves and green under the petals. The stem was cut freehand. You can't see it in the pic, but I traced over the sentiment and along the edges of the flower petals with a clear glitter pen.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Papertrey Ink white
Ink: Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red
Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Accessories: Heart Punch, Martha Stewart border punch, Sizzlet, circle ounch, scallop circle punch, ribbon scraps, glitter pen

FS206 Featured Stamper

2011-01-16T13:07:00.004-05:00

This is my card for today's Featured Stamper at Splitcoastampers.com. I chose THIS card of Tracy's to CASE.

I changed the theme of the card because I am burnt out on Christmas cards! So, I changed the sentiment, and used two heat embossed butterflies instead of the poinsettia & the dewdrops that Tracy used. I kept the layout and matted the layers. Except for fussy-cutting the butterflies, this card was quick.

Recipe:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Hugs & Wishes, Beautiful Butterflies
Ink: Stampin' Up! Night of Navy, Versamark
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Night of Navy, unknown DSP's from my stash
Accessories: gold embossing powder
Technique: Heat Embossing

My Brother's Birthday Card

2011-01-15T18:58:00.003-05:00

This is the first card I've made using a digistamp. I downloaded Gimp (a free photo editing program) and changed the color of the lines from black to this color which is pretty close to Stampin' Up!'s Riding Hood Red. I re-sized the image so that it was close to 3" square.

I used the Aged Tile technique from Technique Junkies on the image, then mounted it to Chocolate Chip cardstock. The card base was too bland and boring, so I inked up an 2-1/2" square acrylic block with PTI's Chamomile Tea ink & stamped it all over the card base to add some visual texture.

This card is going to my brother for his birthday.
Recipe

Cardstock: Stampin; Up! Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip (sentiment), Close to Cocoa marker around the tiles
Accessories: acrylic block

MMTPT127 Winnie, Not Whiney!

2011-01-04T20:24:00.004-05:00

This is my card for this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com. This card is going to baby Jon in Cody, WI. I hope his mama and grandmama like it. I sure enjoyed making it!

(yes, I used the same stamps & technique as in my previous post!)

Recipe:

Cardstock: PTI white, Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Night of Navy, Close to My Heart DSP
Stamps: Studio G sentiment, unknown image
Ink: Stazon Black, Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue
Accessories: Border Punch, Glitter Pen
Technique: Paper Piecing

Happy New Year! Wish-RAK Challenge Card

2011-01-02T19:03:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year to all my Blog Friends! So far, 2011 looks like it will be a better year than 2010! Yeah, I know, it's still early, but I'm remaining positive. [grin]

This is the card I made for Splitcoaststampers.com New Year's Cards For Troops baby card challenge. The link is to my gallery at Splitcoaststampers rather than the actual thread; you have to be a Wish-RAK member to see the threads in that forum. I will be sending the cards I made for all the challenges to Operation Write Home.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Georgia Pacific white, Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo & (retired) Razzle Lemonade DSP
Stamps: Studio G sentiment, unknown image
Ink: Stampin" Up! Rich Raszzleberry, Stazon Black
Accessories: Sakura clear glitter pen

My Christmas Gift!

2010-12-28T20:06:00.002-05:00

My husband made this bow maker for me! It is seriously awesome!

I showed him a pic of a bow maker online that was pretty simple. It was a small block of wood that had 6 or 8 holes drilled in it & (I think) 4 pegs; the lady sells hers for $15.

My in-laws's neighbor is a woodworker and he had these pieces of scrap wood laying around. He drilled the holes & glued the pieces together after beveling the base. The top part is scrap banister rail. My husband sanded it so that it is perfectly smooth then varnished it. It is really shiny! And heavy!

I was really surprised when I opened the box and saw it. I never expected anything this beautiful and elaborate. I guess he really does love me! lol

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T16:21:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone out there in blogland is enjoying today with family and friends.

I am in Tallahassee FL this weekend. My husband, his parents, and I are spending the Christmas holiday this year with his sister and her family. While I miss being with my family (this is the first year that I have not spent at least part of the holiday with my family), I am enjoying being with my sister-in-law and her husband, children, and grandchildren.

The 3 hr trip from GA was uneventful - the best kind of road trip! I only had to stop to ask directions once! lol I got great gas mileage; the car only used 3/4 of a tank! It helps having slower speed limits on the rural highways.

Tomorrow's agenda is shopping in the morning with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. There is an antique auto museum here that my husband wants to go to, so we will go there in the afternoon. That should be interesting and I am looking forward to that.

We will be headed back to GA on Monday. We both saved enough vacation time so that we are off all next week! I'm not sure what we'll be doing all week, though. No plans, other than take in a movie and just relax. Maybe I'll try out a few new recipes next week!

Elf Suit!

2010-12-23T11:18:00.003-05:00

This is my "elf suit" for the holidays! A tone-on-tone red striped t-shirt, jeans, and lime green socks!

LOL

Teapot Tuesday Landscape

2010-12-22T09:26:00.001-05:00

This is my card for this week’s Teapot Tuesday challenge. We had our tea party during art class this week. Oh my! You should have seen all the paint being flung around! LOL Check out the link for more information on the weekly tea parties. You are welcome to join the fun.

Recipe:

Cardstock: PTI white, basic black, unknown pink DSP
Image: unknown landscape
Ink: Stampin’ Up! Basic Gray
Accessories: Sizzix embossing folder, self adhesive rhinestones, layered prima flowers, border punch

MMTPT124 Card for Abby

2010-12-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry for the "low light" quality of the photo. I should have been more patient and waited until daylight. Yeah, well, patience is not one of my strong suits. lol

Anyway, this is my card for this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com. This is my flower card for Bree (OK, really, it's for Abby!); every star gets flowers after her performance and Bree (Abby) is certainly a star!

There is no recipe for this card because everything except the card base (Papertrey Ink cream) came from my scrap box. The flower image was the result of a practice for a technique that I can't remember the name or where I found it. It's been several months since I made it.

Faux Tile

2010-12-13T14:32:00.003-05:00

TLC301 Technique was Faux Tile. This card didn't take long at all to make and I love how it turned out! it doesn't show up, but I used a glitter pen on the outline.

Recipe:

Stamps: Unkown Background Stamp, PTI stamps for sentimetn & outline
Ink: Stampin' Up! Marina Mist
Cardstock: Stampin" Up! Marina Mist, PTI white
Accessories: Brads, Sakura Clear Glitter Pen, White Ribbon

Luminaria

2010-12-10T11:59:00.003-05:00

I made this luminaria in about an hour following the tutorial in the Resources area of Splitcoatstampers.com I will be making more of these for spring and Easter.

Recipe:

Cardstock: (Unknown) Embossed DSP from Michael's, Vellum, Stampin' Up!: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Ink: Stampin: Up! Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Martha Stewart cardinal and pine branch punches, battery-operated tea light, Scor-Pal

Long Time, No Post!

2010-12-09T08:40:00.003-05:00

I have been wanting to do a better job keepig up with this blog and posting cards that I hve made. I see that I haven't posted anything in over a month!

This card was sent to my Best Stamping Friend back home on Florida.

Here is the link to the card in my Splitcoaststampers.com gallery with the details and link to the challenge thread.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up!: Very Vanilla, True Thyme, Chocolate
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (sentiment), Unknown (image)
Ink: True Thyme, Real Red
Accessories: D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, Sakura glitter pen, ribbon

Technically NOT a One-Layer Card!

2010-11-07T10:23:00.002-05:00

Talk about a quick CAS card! There's not much to say since the card speaks for itself. It is my entry for DellsDani's Musical Card Challenge at Splitcoastampers.com. This card is really glittery IRL from the smooch spray!

Recipe:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink white, Stampin' p! Marina Mist
Ink: Colorbox chalk inks
Stamp: Studio G
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestability label die, rhinestones, spray smooch glitter

Crafty Ho's Challenge Blog

2010-10-31T19:14:00.002-04:00

This my entry for this week's challenge on the Crafty Ho's Challenge Blog.

This week, it was a recipe challenge: 1 leaf (oops! I used 2), a button, and a circle. I don't use buttons on my cards but I did find a brad in my stash that looks like a button so I used that.

You can't really see it, but the background is subtly embossed using a leaf stencil. Yep, the thin plastic kind for stenciling with paint! It is too subtle for my taste but IRL it gives this card some texture. I used Marvy punches for the circles and the edges of the embossed layer were distressed.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, unknown brown dsp
Stamp: unknown sentiment and leaf stamp
Ink: Sage Shadow
Accessories: Creative Memories paper flowers, brads, Cuttlebug, plastic stencil, Marvy punches, distressing tool

Signed,
Robin
3-2-1 Blast Off! Ho

Do You Love Card Challenges?

2010-10-30T22:01:00.002-04:00

If you do, you will love the Feline Playful blog! She is giving away a Mega Blog Candy this week ... and I mean MEGA!

Go check it out for he blog candy and the lists of challenges. There are so many challenges out there and this is a good place to find a lot of them.

MMTPT117

2010-10-27T22:36:00.003-04:00

This is my card for yesterday's Teapot Tuesday challenge on splitcoaststampers.com

Close to My Heart's "To the Finish" stampset
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Nestabilities labels,
Versafine black ink
Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock

I stamped the checkered flags then cut them out & glued to the card.

Gotta love a quick and simple CAS card!

Heartfelt Creations Cardinal & Holly

2010-10-14T18:42:00.003-04:00

Here is one of the Christmas cards I've made so far this year.

I love this cardinal from Heartfelt Creations! The technique for this card is Paper Piecing and it's easy to do, especially with this image since most of the sections are easy to cut out.

I stamped it on white cardstock, then stamped it again in yellow, red, and green papers. I cut out the sections I wanted (green leaves and berries, yellow beak, and red body) then glued them onto the image that was stamped on the white cardstock.

To make the shaped piece, I laid one of my nestabilities die over the image and traced around the inside of die. I cut it out then erased the pencil marks. After that, I used the same nestabilities die to cut the black mat.

The background is a piece of Real Red cardstock from Stampin' Up! that was embossed with Tim Holtz' folder, bricks. I brayered white pigment ink then sprinkled some glitter while the ink was still wet. After the ink dried, I sprayed it lightly with hair spray to set the glitter.

The brads are faux brads; the tutorial can be found in the Resources section on Splitcoaststampers.com.

Card for Today's Featured Stamper Challenge at SCS

2010-06-13T17:36:00.002-04:00

(Please excuse how dark this pic is!) This is my card for today's Featured Stamper challenge at SCS.

I chose THIS CARD to case because I love the simplicity of her white Christmas card. It didn't take long to create something similar to LeAnne's card. I changed the embossing folder, the stamps, and the bling (as well as it's placement). I also added some bling of my own with my Sakura clear glitter pen.

Recipe:
Cardstock: Whisper White
Stampsets: Stampin' Up! Old Fashioned Christmas (retired), PTI's Holiday Wishes
Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Gray
Accessories: Sakura clear glitter pen, punches, Holly & Ribbon embossing folder, self-adhesive black "bling"

Changes!!!

2010-05-19T07:36:00.002-04:00

Well, it has been a while since I last posted something! A lot of changes have been happening since then.

A few weeks ago, I moved to southwest Georgia with the company I work for. This project is supposed to last a little more than a year, so it won't be long before I'm back home in Central Florida. Until then, I'll be making several weekend trips back. Thank goodness for Facebook so that I can keep in touch with my family!

I made my Dad's father's day card and my sister's birthday card last week. Hopefully I'll be able to post pics of them in the next couple of days.

Blog Hop for Gabby! ( 2/20/10)

2010-02-20T00:01:00.011-05:00

You have landed on the next stop of the Blog Hop for Gabby. I hope you have been enjoying the cards along the way and have had an opportunity to purchase the Moody Rock Star digital stamp from Paper Makeup.

This is not a blog hop sponsored by a company but rather is one in honor of our good friend (and Sista Ho!), Gabby! We wanted to do this blog hop to show her how much we care about her. We are sending her lots of "inky hugs" today.

Gabby is on a lot of design teams and sure is one talented lady! I am in awe of her talent and am always thrilled beyond measure when I get one of her cards in a swap! She loves black and white cards, so those are the main colors of my card. I threw in a bit of Rich Razzleberry (a current Stampin" Up! In color) to break up the monotony.

The recipe for this card is simple:

Stamps: Laundry Line flourish frame, Stampin' Up Three Little Words
Cardstock: Stamin Up Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: flat back ahdesive blings from Joanns, black velet ribbon, butterfly embosslet from Stampin' Up, sizzix embossing folder, cuttlebug

Here is the lineup for today's hop:
Joni <--- is offering blog candy!
Melyssa
Sheri
Melissa
Cheryl
Sarah
Michele
Tammy
Audrey
Laura Jean
Kelli
Sandye
Roxie <--- is offering blog candy!
Yvonne
Robin (me!)
Su <--- Next in line!
Jackie

Love ya, Gabby Green Eyes!

Vintage Vogue card

2010-01-09T13:56:00.002-05:00

I saw this gorgeous card by Lianne Carper and couldn't wait to CASE it! Lianne provides a wonderful tutorial including panel dimensions for her card.

I changed one of the cardstock colors, the sentiment, and used a SU! corner punch. I also sponged around the edges of the image/sentiment panel. The rhinestone brad is from Gina K and the white faux brads are from Joann's. Everything else is from Stampin' Up!

Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper Wite
Accessories: rhinestone brad, white faux brads, corner punch

The Prettiest Card I've Ever Made!

2010-01-08T16:54:00.003-05:00

This is the prettiest card I have ever made! I CASE'd Erna Logtenberg's card. My card is a standard A2 card, but Erna's must be larger. The sentiment inside her card is too big for mine as is the swirl image on her card.

The top picture is the inside and the bottom is the outside.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU! Priceless and True Friend, Sanded BG (the sentiment is unknown)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Always Artichole, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: Nestabilties border, Sizzix embossing folder, half back pearls, faux self-adhesive brads

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T09:20:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas morning ... so ... Merry Christmas to everyone out there in blogland!

Today will be quiet at our house. We had our get together with my family last night. I enjoyed spending a few hours with my family and was missing them as soon as we got back home. My granddaughter had a blast playing with my husband; I think she wore him out with all her energy! lol She is growing up so fast.

We will spend some time today with my husband's parents. She doesn't get on the computer, so I can tell everyone that he got her two beautiful robellini's. One is a tall quad that will be absolutely gorgeous in the front yard and the other is a smaller triple. His father does get on the computer so I can't say what he got for his Dad. ;-) I had the privilege of making a pretty box to put the gift in.

Finally! A New Card to Post ...

2009-12-19T21:18:00.003-05:00

I hope you can see the picture OK. I'm using my laptop and don't have photo editting software on it.

Anyway! This is a card I made today using the new Vintage Vogue set from Stampin' Up! that will be available to the public on Jan 5, 2010. All the stamps used on this card are from that set. I really like the "vintage-ness" of this set - it will make some awesome shabby chic cards!

Recipe:

Stampset: Stampin' Up! Vintage Vogue
Cardstock: SU! Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel
Ink: SU! Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: SU! embossing folder, pop dots

Excuses, blah blah bah!

2009-12-09T07:59:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I last posted! I have been creating cards, I promise!

I've been working on Christmas cards and gift projects. Throw in Thanksgiving and a holiday party here and there as well as getting "stuff" together for a yard sale ... and you have the makings of a busy woman!

My desktop computer is acting up so I have been using my laptop for the past week or so. Of course, all my card pics are on my desktop. Of course. So, I'll post some pictures as soon as I can get back to using my desktop PC.

Stamp Sets For Sale

2009-11-13T17:40:00.002-05:00

I have the following stamp sets for sale, $5.oo per set. I need to make some room!

Price does not include shipping. I can accept paypal, postal money order, personal check (must clear before item ships) or well-concealed cash. I can only ship in the US at this time.

Big Blossom
Birthday Whimsey
Bold Butterfly
Border Builder
Circle of Friendship
Fine Frames
From the Garden
Label Classics
Lovely Labels
Noteworthy
Oh My Word
Painted Garden
Polka Dots & Paisley
Riveting
Say It With Scallops
Snappy Starts
Spring Solitude

Desk Caddy

2009-11-07T11:03:00.003-05:00

The instructions to make this desk caddy can be found here in the Scor Pal forum at Splitcoaststampers.com

It was very easy to make. The hardest part was finding the lazy susan mechanism and the plastic angles to make the angle cuts! I used a 12x12 piece of textured Stampin'Up! DSP for the main body and another sheet of the same DSP for the pieces to cover the mechanism and to make the inside stops.

Recipe:

Paper: Stampin' Up! textured DSP
Accessories: Scor Pal, ribbon, lazy susan mechanism, plastic angles

IC204 Franz Porcelain Inspiration Challenge

2009-10-31T14:41:00.003-04:00

I am IN LOVE with Papertrey Ink cardstock! The white and vanilla (as are the other colors!) are very heavy and are perfect for card bases!

Yesterday, I decided to stop at Michaels on the way home from work. They have new Martha Stewart punches! It was really hard to decide which one to get; I wanted them all! I finally decided on the Floral Vine punch.

Of course I had to play with my new toy yesterday! I happened to have the Summer Sunrise cs already cut so I grabbed it, along with a card base in white. After punching the edge, I used my Scor Pal to scor two parallel lines. At this point, I was stumped. I just didn't know what I wanted to do with this card. The colors didn't lend themselves to Christmas; I thought about punpkins but none of my pumpkin stamps felt "right" for this card. So I set it aside for the night.

Today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com is based on the site Franz Porcelain Precious Possessions. This is the piece I used for my inspiration: Fluttering Beauty Butterfly Teapot. The colors were perfect for the card I started last night!

The closest flower I have is from Stampin' Up's Fifth Avenue Floral set; I stamped the lily in Versafine black ink then sponged them with pumkpin pie, tangerine tango, groovy guava, and cameo coral inks before cutting them out. I used a Spellbinder nestability butterfly shape to cut, emboss, and sponge the butterfly. I used tangerine tango, groovy guava, and blue bayou inks.
I used a bit of copper stickles to add a bit of bling to the flowers and butterfly

Recipe:

Stamps: SU! Fifth Avenue Floral (flowers), CTMH Butterfly Wings (stems)
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink white, summer sunrise, melon berry
Ink: Versafine Black, Groovy Guava, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Cameo Coral, Blue Bayou, Old Olive
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch, Spellbinders nestability, stickles

What an honor!

2009-10-23T07:54:00.003-04:00

Mothermark, creator of the Teapot Tuesday Challenges, recently received a box of cards and a great present. She pictured the card I sent (along with the others she received) on her blog, http://mothermark.blogspot.com/2009/10/very-special-teapot-and-more-wonderful.html, and said the kindest things about me. I nearly cried!

Thank you, Cindy, for making my day!

Retired Stampin' Up! Sets for Sale

2009-10-11T20:16:00.002-04:00

Please check THIS THREAD over at Splitcoaststampers.com for my list of Stampin' Up! sets that I have for sale.

I can accept Paypal, postal money orders, personal checks (must clear my account before items are shipped), or well-concealed cash. I can only ship within the United States at this time; buyer pays USPS priority shipping. Please email me at rjporter@gmail.com

$5.00:
Birthday Whimsey
Lovely Labels
Painted Garden
So Many Scallops

$7.00:
Big Blossom bg (no case)
Fine Frames
From the Garden bg (no case)
Label Classics
Noteworthy
Oh My Word
Polka Dots & Paisley
Say It With Scallops

$10.00:
Bold Butterfly
Border Builders
Circle of Friendship
Riveting
Spring Solitude

$15.00:
Happy Heart Day
Blossoms Abound
Essence of Love
Greetings Galore NUM
Sun Ripened II

$25.00:
Scenery

Today's Inspiration Challenge

2009-10-10T22:17:00.005-04:00

This is my card for today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com.

This was my first time with the "bleaching" technique. I poured bleach over a pad of paper towels, then laid my (bravo burgundy) cardstock on top of the paper towels. I patted the top of the cardstock with my finger to get the pattern. It took a while for the cardstock to dry.

Once it was dry, I cut it to the size I wanted, then stamped with it with an Inque Boutique set called "Silhouettes." Unfortunately Inque Boutique is no longer in business so probably the only way to get the set is through EBay or possibly the Buy/Sell/Trade forums at Splitcoastampers.com.

Recipe:

Stamp: Inque Boutique "Silhouettes"
Ink: Memories Black
Cardstock: Bravo Burdundy, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: scallop border punch, bleach

Yesterday's Teapot Tuesday Challenge

2009-10-07T08:09:00.004-04:00

This is the link to my entry for yesterday's Teapot Tuesday Challenge (post 300) over at Splitcoaststampers.com.

Mothermark's (Cindy) birthday is during the month of October, so this week's teaparty is a birthday party in her honor!

Recipe:

Stamp: House Mouse image received in a swap
CS: Stampin Up! - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzelberry, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Accessories - ribbon, Stampin' Up! markers (used to color the image)

Another Teapot Tuesday Challenge!

2009-09-30T20:38:00.002-04:00

This is my card for yesterday's Teapot Tuesday Challenge (post #273). We went on a hayride though the countryside and it was sooooo much fun!

I bought this stamp off EBay a month or so ago and it's been sitting on my computer desk ever since. It screams "country cottage" to me (as well it should since it is from the Woodlands Cottage set from the 2006 Holiday SU! mini).

Recipe:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, retired SU! DSP
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Stamp: Woodland Cottage (retired, from 2006 mini)
Accessories: brads

Tuesday Teapot Party!

2009-09-16T18:20:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's teapot challenge is located in Jellystone Park in Pelahatchi, MS, where Barney Bear is in a basket. Is he stuck in there? Is he too scared to come out? Is he just hungry and wants to eat all the food for our tea party?

I don't know. I. Just. Don't. Know. It looks to me like he is thirsty and wants to enjoy a spot of tea!

This is my card for the Tuesday Tea Party Challenge. I received this Gruffie image in an animal image swap some time ago. This challenge was the perfect opportunity to use it! I colored it with copic markers.

Recipe

Stamp - Gruffie
Ink - black
Cardstock - Papertrey base and DSP, whisper white
Accessories - flat back pearls, copic markers

The Fashionable Traveler

2009-09-13T21:34:00.003-04:00

Join us on October 3rd for a Fashion Show and lunch ... all for only $12.00!

More information is available here on the First Baptist Indialantic webiste. There is a link to register online.

It's going to be a fun time!

Teapot Tuesday MMTPT63!

2009-09-09T18:56:00.004-04:00

Check out this blog for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge! This week's challenge is to save Lou-La-Bella Rock-A-Fella from the nasty slug bugs.

How fun!

Teapot Tueday now has its own challenge thread over at Splitcoaststampers

Recipe

Stamps: SU! Great Friend (sentiment), CTMH Celebration Solids
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Red paper
InK; Going Gray, Real Red (markers)
Accessories: Cuttlebug folder, lace edge punch, ddew drops

Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers

2009-09-06T19:50:00.004-04:00

This is my card for today's Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers.com.

I chose to CASE this card although it ended up as not much of a CASE!

The card started out as a 4" square card. After I stamped & colored the image and sentiment, I wasn't sure if I wanted to emboss or faux stitch. But then I spied my deckle scissors!

Unfortunately they didn't cut nicely through two layers of cardstock. So I cut off the back side of the card & decided to use it as the focal point. I found some DSP that matched & cut out a matt from that. Added to brads, popped up the image, and called it a day!

Recipe:

Stampsets: Sweet Stems, Great Friend
Cardstock: Whisper White, dsp by Srapbook Wall
Ink: Versafine black, SU markers - ballet blue, bordering blue, eggplant envy
Accessories: brads, dimensionals, deckle scissors

Featured Stamper Challenge #FS134

2009-08-30T19:44:00.003-04:00

This is my card for today's Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoast. Darlene's gallery is phenominal! If you need some inspiration, that is the place to go!

I chose to CASE this card because I knew I could finish it before church. I changed the cardstock, dsp, embossing folder, and stampset. I also changed the layout slightly and used flat backed pearls instead of ribbon.

Recipe

Cardstock: Rose Red, Whisper White, Bella Rose (retired) and Berry Bliss (retired)
Ink: Rose Red
Stampset: Four Square
Accessories: flat back pearls, scalloped square punch, 1" punch, embossing folder

FaveCrafts Mettalic Pearl Inkpads contest

2009-08-29T19:18:00.000-04:00

Metallic Pearl Inkpads
New Colors For FolkArt®Marvy Uchidawww.Marvy.com

Review by Maria Nerius
This is a new line of inkpads from Marvy Uchida. The inks have a metallic look with a touch of pearl shimmer. This is pigmented ink with a raised inkpad. The top of the inkpad indicates the color of ink. The ink is acid-free, archival and water based. Once dry the ink is water resistant. There are 8 colors in this line: gold, silver, black, blue, red, green, orange, and violet.
Testing Feedback
Great colors. The metallic pearl shimmer is very pretty.
Easy to clean up. Just soap and water for hands, stamp, and work area.
Inkpad is easy to hold in your hand to ink the stamp and also direct to paper techniques.
The top of the inkpad is easy to seal onto the inkpad, less change of your inkpad drying out.
You can never have enough metallic ink colors. Great for special cards like holiday and graduations.
Marvy Uchida inks compliment each other; it’s a brand you can depend on.
Win these New Ink Pads!

http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Metallic-Pearl-Inkpads-Giveaway#

New card, as promised!

2009-08-17T19:35:00.005-04:00

Most importantly, my Dad went home last Friday from the hospital. He's still not 100% but he is a lot better than he was!

As promised, here is a card using one of the new sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog; it's called Autumn Splendor.

I made this card for yesterday's Featured Stamper challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com. Here is my gallery submission that shows a link to the card I CASE'd. I chose to leave the sentiment off for now; I'll add that when I actually use the card.

It's hard to see in the pic, but the leaves are popped up for depth. I used two colors of ink - I first tapped the image in Really Rust, then in Old Olive to get just a hint of color. The trick to that is to use the lighter ink for the base color and the darker for the highlight. That way, you won't ruin your lighter inkpad.

Recipe:
Stampset: Autumn Splendor (available to order Sept 1st)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Really Rust
Ink: Really Rust, Old Olive
Accessories: Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, ticket corner punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder (herringbone)

Life has been crazy lately!

2009-08-13T08:37:00.003-04:00

I haven't been making many cards lately; it seems that "life" has gotten in the way. :-)

My Dad was rushed to the hospital last week and he is still there. I'll find out more this morning, but the hope is that he will be able to go home today.

He went to his doctor because he thought he was coming down with pneumonia again. It turns out he was suffering from congestive heart failure; his doctor sent him immediately to the emergency room. I am very thankful that he didn't wait to see his doctor and that he is getting very good care from the doctors and nurses at the hospital. I've been spending most of my non-working hours at the hospital since he got there.

My Dad is an active 74 YO man and he loves his race car! There was a small article at www.daara.com (you have to scroll down on the home page to see hs pic and the note) which is the racing associaton he belongs to.

If all goes well and he goes home today, I will be able to post something new in the next few days. My Stampin' Up! order will be delivered today and I will have new toys to play with!

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and Blog Candy!

2009-08-02T14:36:00.003-04:00

Wowsers! Go check out this site, pricillastyles, for an awesome blog candy giveaway! She is giving away a SU! Big Shot, doctor's bag, and embossing folders!

Oh my! I would faint dead away if I won that.

Be sure to leave a comment on her blog for your chance to win.

2009-07-04T21:19:00.002-04:00

This is my card for today's Limited Supply Challenge at Splitcoaststampers. the challenge was to use either digi stamps or die cuts. I don't have any die cuts, so I used a digi stamp that I got a few months back from Mel Stampz
This was my first attempt at coloring a digi stamp; it's OK, I guess, but I sure do need practice with my copics!

Recipe:

Stamp: digi stamp from Mel Stampz

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, LeJardin dsp (retired)

Accessories: ribbon, Martha Steart flad back pearsl, copics

Become a SU! Demonstrator

2009-07-01T11:45:00.004-04:00

Holy cow! Look at this sign-up special that Stampin' Up! is running this month! THIS is a fabulous deal!

From the Customer Page at stampinup.com :

While anytime is a great time to join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator, joining during July and August is especially sweet!

Starting your own Stampin' Up! business means free and discounted products, plus a little extra cash--and who couldn't use that? Plus, from July 15 - August 31, you can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $85!

The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including

*For All You Do stamp set
*In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
*Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
*In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
*Business forms and tools

Or if you want to buy the standard $199 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")--a $43 value! The standard Starter Kit includes

*Four stamp sets
*A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
*Stampin' Pastels
*Card stock
*Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
*Five Classic Stampin' Pads
*VersaMark Pad
*Stampin' Scrub and Mist
*Blender pens
*Business forms and tools

These special offers--the Mini Starter Kit and the In Color add-on to the standard Starter Kit--are only available for a limited time, so you must act fast! Benefits of Becoming a Demonstrator whether you just love to stamp, or you want to grow a successful, thriving business, the Stampin' Up! opportunity is the right fit for you. Stampin' Up! demonstrators enjoy many benefits, with just a few listed below:

Product discount. Demonstrators get a 20 percent discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting.

Extra income. You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting--how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger--the monthly payment for your new car--it's your decision! See the Compensation Table for more information.

Flexible schedule. This is your business, so you can put in as much (or as little) time as you'd like.

Support from Stampin' Up! We love our demonstrators and it shows through our demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics available on our Demonstrator Web Site.

Email me if you would like to take advantage of this special promotion. I would love to have you on my team!

New Catalog Today!

2009-07-01T09:20:00.003-04:00

The 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog goes live online today at noon (Mountain Time). As soon as it is available, I will out a link on my sidebar.

Get ready ..... get set .....

Sympathy Card

2009-06-23T05:33:00.004-04:00

Sympathy cards are not fun to make and it's hard to get excited about one. But unfortunately, there are times when a sympathy card is needed.

I used mostly retired Stampin' Up cardstock and designer paper.

Recipe:

Stamps: MSE
Cardstock: River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, LeJardin DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: ribbon, Marvy punches, Sizzix dies

Sneak Peak Set - Autumn Days

2009-06-20T21:24:00.002-04:00

This is my project for next week's getogether for the FL Stamping Sisters group (a demo-only group)

We are having a shoe box swap using new items from Stampin' Up! I decided to do something other than a card this time. This is a cover for a 3x5 tablet.

Cut your base card stock at 5-1/4" x 7-5/8" Fold the cardstock in half (longways), then score at 3/8" on both sides of the center fold.

Fold the cardstock along the c enter fold and make two cuts about 1" from the top & bottom; stop cutting at the score lines. Fold the top and bottom sections in (valley fold) and the center section out (mountain fold). This will hold your pen.

Secure your tablet inside; I used multi-mono glue. Decorate the front as desired. The layer of DSP was cut at 3-1/8" x 5"

Recipe:

Stampset: Autumn Days
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Lovely Flowers DSP (from Hostess Level 3)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: brads, scalloped border punch

Stampin 411 Sketch Challenge

2009-06-13T18:57:00.004-04:00

This card is my entry for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.

This was a fun sketch and I'm sure I'll be using it again. The floral image was stamped then colored with markers. I put some Crystal Effects over the flowers to make them pop.

I like this card, but it is rather bland and the 1" strips of DSP are "lost." If I use So Saffron again, I'll use Chocolate Chip as the base and add a layer of Chocolate Chip under the 1" strips of DSP.

Recipe:

Stamps: Sweet Stems, Oval All
CS: So Saffron, Whisper White
DSP - Tea Party, SAB paper
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Crystal Effects, large and scalloped oval punches

Late Night Stampers designers

2009-06-12T11:08:00.003-04:00

Check out these great blogs for some wonderful card and rubberstamping projects! These ladies design for the Late Night Stampers yahoo group.

1.Gretchen Barron gbarron56@comcast.net http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/
2. Barbara Dondero barbaradondero@gmail.com http://BarbsStampingSpot.blogspot.com
3. Tammy Fite stampinmama@comcast.net www.stampwithtammy.com
4 Judy Jackson JudyStamper@verizon.net
5. Mary Brown mary@stampercamper.com http://stampercamper.com/
6.Sarah Wills sarahwills@austin.rr.com http://sarahsinkspot.blogspot.com/
7.Selene Kempton e.selene@verizon.net http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot.com/
8.Virginia Killmore vkillmore@gmail.com http://virginias-website.blogspot.com/
9. Elizabeth Sloman sloman4100@bellsouth.net www.mamastamper.com
10.Marisol Gutierrez atouchof_sol@yahoo.com http://atouchofsol.blogspot.com/
11. Dawn Bullock Dbullock28@comcast.net www.stampincreations.blogspot.com
12.Sandi MacIver sandi_maciver@comcast.net http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/
13.Stephanie Sullins stephenandsteph@earthlink.net http://owlwhimsy.blogspot.com
14.Susan Shields blestmomof6@cox.net http://createdwithlovebysusan.blogspot.com/
15. Rebekah "Becky" Jens en www.stampthat.com
16. Heidi Michel heartfeltblessings@gmail.com www.heartfeltblessings.blogspot.com
17. Barb Slaughter stamper0910@yahoo.com
18. Lisa Milliron uniquedesignsbylisa@windstream.net http://www.uniquedesignsbylisa.typepad.com/
19 Connie Babbert iluvstamping@columbus.rr.com http://inkspiredtreasures.com/
20 Nancy Dawson nancy@centralva.net http://creativewishes.blogspot.com
21 Bethany Keeney bethanykeeney@hotmail.com http://keeneyfarm.blogspot.com/
22 Kirsten Brown stampinsilly@gmail.com http://imstampinsilly.blogspot.com/
23. Mary Jo Price-Williams technostamper@roadrunner.com http://technostamper.blogspot.com/
24. Elizabeth Hurst stampwithelizabeth@gmail.com www.animalscraps.blogspot.com
25. Vivian Swain florida_scrapper@earthlink.net http://floridastampinwithvivian.blogspot.com/

Home from vacation

2009-06-07T07:24:00.003-04:00

We returned home last night from vacationing in Tennessee. My husband's family lives there and it was nice to visit with them again.

Now it's time to relax for a while and get caught up around the house with such chores as laundry and mowing the yard. Apparently there was quite a bit of rain while we were away and the grass has grown a LOT!

Stampin' Up! on Youtube

2009-05-26T17:37:00.002-04:00

Wow, check this out! Stampin' Up! has a channel on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/stampinupvideo

So far, there are nine videos to choose from. Go check them out and see for yourself!

Get Ready! "Last Chance" list coming soon!

2009-05-25T11:56:00.002-04:00

Stampin' Up! will be publishing the "Last Chance" list on June 1st. That list will contain the stampsets and accessories that will be retiring as of June 30th. As soon as it is available, I will post a link. You'll only have a few weeks to get those sets you want before they are gone forever!

Copics ... yay!

2009-05-09T18:09:00.002-04:00

This is the first card I actually made after coloring an image with copic markers. I really like the copics and will slowly be acquiring more colors (as the budget permits!)

Recipe:

Cardstock: SU!Close to Cocoa, unknown lilac cardstock, Afternoon Tea DSP, WW
Stamps: SU! Serene Spring (image) , Gina K (sentiment)
Ink: image - stazon black, sentiment - Chocolate Chip
Accessories: sakura clear glitter pen, copic markers

Stampin' Up! Scrapbook Special!

2009-04-29T12:33:00.003-04:00

What an exciting opportunity for scrapbookers to become a demo!

Scrapbooking Starter Kit Promotion

Dates: May 1-31, 2009

Promotion Details
In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

Item Code Description Retail Value
113510 Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* $42.95
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $19.95
108697 Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock $11.95
105240 Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad $7.50

*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $43.95 value.

Email me for infomation on how you can sign up for this special to become a SU! demonstrator. I would love to have you join my team.

Mother's Day gifts

2009-04-27T21:35:00.006-04:00

This is a photograph envelope that I am giving to my mother and my mother-in-law for Mother's Day this year.

I found the instructions at Becky Oehler's blog. She made her photo pouch from Papetrey Ink envelopes. I decided to make my own envelopes from textured cardstock.

The directions for custom envelopes can be found on the Scor-Pal website.I cut my cardstock to 6-3/4" by 10-3/4" the sentiment was compute-generated and printed on Very Vanilla (StampinUp!) cardstock.

Two new cards

2009-04-24T17:27:00.003-04:00

This is my card for today's Limited Supply challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com The challenge was to make a card based on a room in your house. I chose to use the colors in our guest bathroom, olive and wine. The pattern on the shower curtain and towels is roses, so of course I needed to use a rose stamp.

I am a bit proud of myself with this card; I actually used some of my hoarded retired In Color stuff!

Recipe:
Cardstock: True Thyme, Purely Pomegranite,Very Vanilla
Stamp: Inkadinkadoo clear stamp, Stitched bg
Ink: True Thyme, Purely Pomegranite, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Purely Pomegranite satin ribbon, brads, word window punch

This is my card for tomorrow's shoe box swap for the FL Stamping Sisters group. This was a fun card to make.

Go here to sign up for a newsletter on how to make the die cuts with SU!'s Top Note Die. It is so simple!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Rose Red, So Saffron, Rose Red DSP
Stamps: Soft Summer, Oval All
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, So Saffron, MellowMoss
Accessories: Top Note die, brads, large oval punch, scalloped oval punch.

Blog Candy Alert!

2009-04-14T14:24:00.002-04:00

(not me! one of these days I'll offer some blog candy!)

Mary Giemza is celebrating 3,000 hits on her blog and is giving away some awesome candy! (nesties among other stuff!!)

Head over to her blog, http://mycardz.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/blog-candy-2/#respond , and leave a comment. She does ask that you post on your blog about her candy.

Happy Easter (belated!)

2009-04-13T08:13:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone had a happy Easter and enjoyed some family time.

My husband and I (and his parents) drove to Orlando after church to have dinner with my family. It was a great afternoon; everyone (except my older brother & his family who live in VA) was there. We enjoyed ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (yum!), veggies, pies, fruits, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

A couple of challenge cards

2009-03-21T13:47:00.002-04:00

This is a double challenge card!

FTL34 and IC172 I really like this sketch and will be using it quite often!

Recipe:
Cardstock: So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, BellaRose dsp, cs from Michaels
Stamps: Elegant Thank You
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Martha Stewart flat-back pearls

This is my other card for the FTL34 challenge.

I used PTI cardstock, dsp, and ribbon that I received in one of the PIF threads at SCS. The white layers are embossed with Cuttlebug folders and the flower is popped up.

Recipe:
Cardstock: PTI cs and dsp, Whisper White
Stamp: Embrace Life (sentiment is from a set I picked up at Joanns)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (retired color)
Accessories: MS flat-backed pearl, PTI ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folders (D'Vine Swirl and Swiss Dots)

Black Rose Artichoke

2009-03-10T19:17:00.002-04:00

Today's challenge at SCS was a color challenge: CC209 The colors were Black, Rose Red, and Always Artichoke.

This was a "quick and simple" card that took all of about 15 minutes from start to finish (including clean up!).

Recipe:
Stamp: Sweet Stems
Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Basic Black, and Always Artichoke & rose Red DSP's
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin' Up markers, Cuttlebug embossing folder, marvy punches

Two challenge cards today!

2009-02-15T18:27:00.003-05:00

This is my card for the Cinema Saturday Challenge, #19. The movie this week is "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow.

I have never seen this movie. I took my inspiration from one of the movie posters where Gwyneth was holding a teacup. Part of the challenge was to incorporate dots; I used the dotted ribbon and the pink brad.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Stamp: Stitched background

Accessories: Metallic gold marker, dotted ribbon, primas, pink brad

This is my card for Gabby Green Eye's Saturday Challenge. BLOGC3

Gabby posted a heart template with instructions to create a basket of flowers.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Rubber Stampede (basketweave), Clearly Wordsworth (sentiment), Kinen background

Accessories: Dollar Store flower, dew drops, Chocolate Chip marker

Sympathy Card

2009-02-14T20:38:00.003-05:00

This is definitely the type of card I don't like to make, but unfortunately, sometimes a sympathy card is needed. This is for a sister Wish-RAK'er on Splitcoast.

I thought it was appropriate to use items that I received through Wish RAK - the image, inside sentiment, and round tab punch. The image was watercolored using Stampin' Up! markers

Recipe:
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Kiwi Kiss, chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon black
Stampset: Serene Spring, Close as a memory
Accessories: SU! markers, watercolor pen, round tab punch, self-adhesive flat backed pearl

This is a picture of the inside of the gate-fold card.

New Challenge on Splitcoast!

2009-02-10T20:32:00.004-05:00

Woohoo! There is a new weekly challenge at Splitcoast! It is the CAS Challenge (CAS = "Clean and Simple"); this week's inspiration piece was flannel posted in the thread.

This card is my take on the butterfly flannel. I used the front of a 3x3 notecard I had made as the focal image. I stamped the card base with SU!'s Polka Dot background stamp. Talk about quick and easy! This card was done in about 5 minutes!

Recipe:

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranite, Whisper White, Au Chocolat DSP

Ink: Purely Pomogranite, Craft White

Stamps: Happy Heart Day, Polka Dot BG

Accessories: ribbon, sakura glitter pen, ticket corner punch, scalloped circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, white gel pen

Black Base Card, as promised!

2009-01-26T21:21:00.003-05:00

We are still having water problems, but hopefully my husband will be able to get them taken care of tomorrow.

Here is the card I made for last Friday's SCS Limited Supply Challenge .

This card didn't end up exactly as how I picured it, but I like it. I wasn't sure what ribbon to use; as I was digging through my ribbon drawer, I ran across this pink ribbon that I've had for ages! I got it a long time ago when I was still sewing.

Recipe:
Stamps: Garden Collage
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Rose Red
Ink: Gray
Accessories: Pink fabric ribbon, dew drops, SU! chalks, Sabrina (brand) DSP, corner punch

Ugh! Plumbing Problems!

2009-01-26T15:35:00.002-05:00

My husband, Father-in-law, and I have been re-plumbing our house since last Thursday. We discovered a supply-line leak under the slab last week and decided it was easier & more cost effective to run new water lines through the attic.

Uhhhh, yeah! It's a time consuming project, that's for sure! Four days of cutting water lines, gluing connections, running to the store because they needed something else, etc! The water has actually been off since Saturday; we spent the last two nights at my in-laws' house. Today's plan is to turn the water on and pray that there are no leaks at any of the connections.

I did manage to sneak in a card over the weekend; I was able to make a card for last Friday's SCS Limited Supplies challenge to use a black cardstock base. As long as all is well and we can go back home this evening, I will snap a pic and upload it. I think it turned out pretty nice. :-)

Wow! FREE Stampin' Up! Catalog Offer!

2009-01-21T11:25:00.000-05:00

Starting February 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009, online orders that utilize the convenience of 24/7 shopping AND select me as their "demonstrator" will receive a FREE catalog with their first order (limit 1 during this period).

Updated Stampin' Up! Catalog Link

2009-01-20T15:44:00.003-05:00

The new 2009 Spring Summer catalog from Stampin' Up! is available! I updated the link on the right side of my blog so that you can view it.

After you complete your list of goodies that you "just cannot live without," contact me via email (rjporter@gmail.com) to place your order.

Don't forget, Sale-A-Bration is just around the corner. Stay tuned for more details. ...

Hmm, I need to get to work!

2009-01-13T10:57:00.002-05:00

My great-nephew's birthday is coming up soon & his party is this Sunday! :eek: I need to get to work and make his card. I'll probably duplicate the card I made for my friend's daughter's first birthday, except in blue!

I just haven't been motivated in the last week or so to make any cards; it's like my "mojo" is gone. So we'll see how well his card will turn out.

Gina K's January Challenge #3

2009-01-05T20:48:00.003-05:00

This is my entry for Gina K's January Challenge #3 seen here.

This card measures 4-1/4" x 6-1/4" and I really like this size. I bought a box of invitation envelopes a couple weeks ago, but didn't notice that they aren't the STD invitation envelope size! This card works great for the envies I bought.

The deets: I used all the retired In Colors from 2007-2008 because I love those colors! I used a blender pen to color the image.

Recipe:

Stamp - Anita's Stamp (no name or year)

CS - Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi DSP

Ink - Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Bayou Blue, Purely Pomegranite, Groovy Guava

Accessories - brads, blender pen

2009-01-03T18:57:00.003-05:00

One of our friends little girl turned one year old on Jan 1st. She is an adorable baby! Her birthday party is tomorrow afternoon, and this is the card I made for her.

I used Stampin" Up cardstock and markers, but the stamp came from Michael's dollar bin. They have some of the cutest stamps in that bin! And, I used my Linen background stamp on the pink cardstock to give it some texture.

Recipe:

Stamp: Michael's dollar stamp, Linen BG

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Berry Bliss DSP

Ink: Stazon Brown, Pretty In Pink, Yo Yo Yellow, More Mustard, Bliss Blue, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery

Accessories: pink rhinestones, SU! markers (all colors except brown)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T07:24:00.003-05:00

Goodness, it's 2009! What happened to 2008? It blew by!

I participated in a few of the New Year's Eve challenges at Splitcoast; I'm hoping to finish the rest today. Here are two of my cards:

This is for the SCSNYE01 Friends and Food challenge. This had to be a card for a friend and involve food. I't probably a bit of a stretch for a teapot to be considered food ... but it holds a beverage, right? lol

Recipe:

Stamp: Mary Engelbreit

CS: Handsome Hunter, Very Vanilla, 2 different DSP's

Ink: Basic Black, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, More Mustard, Apricot Appeal, Glorious Green

Accessories: Martha Stewart Lace border punch, rhinestones, SU! markers

This is my card for the SCSNYE02 challenge, Remembering the Past. This challenge was to use a retired Stampin' Up! set as the focal image. I used the sun from the Stardust set. And it had to be flat for mailing; we were supposed to use three layers max,but I used four. oopps!

Recipe:

Stamp: Stardust, Warm Words

CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, DSP

Ink: Brown Stazon

Accessories: Sakura gliter gel pen

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T05:28:00.001-05:00

Two days until Christmas! This year just flew by!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your day is full of love and laughter, friends and family.

Quick Update

2008-12-22T09:51:00.003-05:00

Well, I manageed to get quite a bit accomplished on Saturday even though I haven't been feeling well lately. I caught a cold last week so I've been sniffling, sneezing, and just generally feeling weak ... great! Just in time for Christmas!

I got two batches of candy cookies made (one is for my brother for his birthday), peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and I dipped a whole bunch of pretzels in chocolate. I made the money holders (in the post below) for my son and his wife, and I wrapped the rest of the presents (except one that DH didn't bring home until yesterday afternoon).

Unfortunately I did not get any laundry done over the weekend nor did my poor dirty car get washed. But! I did mow the back yard yesterday afternoon; DH mowed the front & trimmed one of the palm trees.

So it was a very productive weekend. And now I can relax about Christmas since I'm almost ready!

Mini Envelope Money Holder

2008-12-20T18:00:00.002-05:00

I am subscribed to Dawn's Stamping Studio and saw a mini envelope money card on her blog today. I am giving my son and his wife cash for Christmas and needed an envelope. Thank you, Dawn, for a great video!

I changed the colors and stamps. I don't have any 3x3 envies, but I do have an envelope template program on my computer so I printed them.

Recipe:
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU! markers (real red, old olive, pumpkin)

This weekend

2008-12-19T21:29:00.002-05:00

Well, tomorrow promises to be a super busy day! But I am looking forward to it.

I'm going to do all my baking tomorrow and finish wrapping gifts. I have to make some bags and a gift card holder. I also am planning on getting some laundry done and my car washed. I'm going to a Christmas party tomorrow night and I do not want to drive a dirty car there!

After church and dinner on Sunday, I'll be finishing up the laundry and other household chores. I'm hoping to squeeze a few minutes in to amke cards for the Inspiration and Featured Stamper Challenges on SCS at some point during the weekend.

A busy weekend, but fun!

Another Christmas Card

2008-12-16T18:48:00.003-05:00

I like this card, too! (although not as much as the one I posted yesterday).

The cuttlebugged panel has an oval cut-out; the center image was stamped then sponged on a piece of scrap cardstock then adhered to the back. I used Martha Stewart's branch punch for the twigs on the front and a flat back self-adhesive pearl. The frame was cut using the oval coluzzle, then glittered with Dazzling Diamonds. The base is dark forest green Making Memories card stock.

12/24/018 Update: I found the card that was the inspiration for this one - Kitty's card I am glad I found her card because I wanted to give her credit.

My Favorite Christmas Card for This Year

2008-12-15T21:40:00.002-05:00

I love this card! I only made one but I will be making more for next year!

I saw a very similar card on Splitcoast and, I'm sorry, but I don't remember whose card it was! So, please! If you recognize the card, let me know so I can give proper credit.

I'm not sure if you can see the sparkle in the picture, but I used spray glitter (very similar to spray paint) that I got from WalMart. I found it in the craft department; this particular color is called "opal." They also had silver and gold.

Recipe:

Stampset: Paint Prints (retired), A Cardinal Christmas (sentiment)

Ink: Color Box pigment inks, Chianti & Evergreen

CS: SU! Real Red, WW, Forest Foliage

Accessories: Yellow stickles, Spray glitter, Corner rounder

I'm a bad blogger! :-(

2008-12-11T08:05:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry it has been so long since I posted anything! I have been just as bad about posting cards to my gallery at SCS.

I have been busy getting ready for Christmas and have neglected my blog. I promise! I will take pictures soon and start posting again. I'd like to take some tonight, but I don't know that I will have time. I have a lot to do to get ready for the weekend.

We are going to be away from tomorrow morning until Sunday afternoon. We will be in Orlando tomorrow for the Performance Racing Industry show. We will be staying overnight in Orlando and then heading over to Clearwater on Saturday morning. My company's Christmas Party is going to be held at the Sand Pearl Resort on Saturday night. And then we will be coming back home Sunday morning sometime. Phew! A busy weekend!

In Color Swap Cards

2008-11-15T16:28:00.006-05:00

This is my card for the In Color swap at SCS. This card was originally only going to be the folded Top Note die cut. But as I was putting away my copy of the card, I laid it on top of another card.

Oh my goodness! I couldn't believe the difference and how good it looked! So, I cut the back panels, layered them together, then attached the folded Top Notes die cut card.

Recipe:

CS: Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rosa DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel (to color the skirt)

Stamp: Winter Post, unkown sentiment

Accessories: White snowflake brad, iridescent rhinestone, Top Note die

Eastern Blooms Birthday

2008-10-25T20:33:00.004-04:00

Today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers was pink bedding from JC Penny. This card is my submission for the challenge.

This card sure is pink! As I was creating it, all I could think was that it was "too pink," and how could I tone it down? The Certainly Celery green didn't help much, so I decided to add a layer of Chocolate Chip. The base is also Chocolate Chip.

My granddaughter's fifth birthday is coming up soon, so this will be her card.

Recipe:

CS: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Ink: Cholocate Chip, various chalk inks

Stamps: SU! Eastern Bloom, sentiment is from a Gina K set

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (for the leaves), Boho Blossom Punch, brads, , Fiskars texture plate

3x3 Snowman Swap Card

2008-10-23T19:10:00.003-04:00

This is one of 6 3x3 notecards for a swap on Splitcoaststampers. I haven't sent these in yet but I will soon because they are due in mid-November!

It's a quick and simple card. The snowman was stamped on white card stock and cut out (2-1/2" x 2-1/2"). I used the ticket corner punch on the corners. The layer underneath (2-3/4" x 2-3/4") is SU! Brushed Silver. The cardstock is last year's In Color, Soft Sky. The accessories are a silver snowflake brad and light blue organza ribbon.

My Stair Step Card

2008-10-14T20:19:00.004-04:00

Please see the post below for the link to yesterday's Technique Challenge at Splitcoaststampers. The cards in the gallery are stunning!

Recipe:

CS: Handsome Hunter, unkown DSP

Stamps: SU! Snow Swirled, Gina K's Christmas Blessings

Ink: Real Red, Handsome Hunter, Stazon Black, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss, YoYo Yellow

Accessories: pink bling, clear glitter gel pen, gold brads

Today's SCS Technique Challenge

2008-10-13T14:48:00.003-04:00

Oh my! You just HAVE to go check out today's technique challenge and the gallery at Splitcoast! The gallery of chock full of breathtaking cards! I can't wait until I have time to play with this technique, but it won't be until tomorrow at the earliest. Once I get my card finished, I will post it here.

Have a great "Rest of the Day!"

One card for my stash for coworkers

2008-10-12T17:00:00.002-04:00

I give birthday cards to my coworkers, most of whom are men. I have such a difficult time with masculine cards, though. This is one that I made this past weekend and I really like it. I will most likely be duplicating it for upcoming family member birthdays.

Recipe:

CS: Always Artichoke, Choc Chip, DSP

Stamp: Clearly Wordsworth

Ink: Close to Cocoa

Saturday SCS Inspiration Challenge

2008-09-27T10:18:00.003-04:00

Saturday's challenge at SCS is always an Inspiration Challenge. I chose to use the green room posted; I call this card Kiwi Kiss Room.

As I finished each step, the card just didn't look finished so I'd add another element. At first, it was only going to be the white background image layered on black & attached to the Kiwi Kiss base.

Well, that was way too plain! So I thought about adding the brads but then decided to add the prima instead. With just the flower, it was still too plain, so I decided to add the brads.

It was getting better, but it wasn't finished yet. That's when I decided to add the white layer under the black. Nope, not done yet, something was still missing. I laid the white strip across the BG image & decided to layer it with black. It called out for a layer of Kiwi Kiss -- Eureka! All it needed now was the Happy Birthday sentiment. Done!

Recipe:

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, BB, WW
Ink: BB

Stamps: I have had them for a while and I don't remember the companies.

Accessories: SU! scallop punch, brads, primas

Featured Stamper and Carolyn King's blog

2008-09-21T09:18:00.005-04:00

Today's Featured Stamper at SCS is E3stamper and she has a fabulous gallery! It was hard to decide on one card, but this is the one I chose.

I changed the colors,the image, and embellisments but kept the layout pretty much the same. This was a very fast card to make because the image was received in an image swap and the sentiment, white flowers, and Bashful Blue teztured CS were received in a Wish RAK. So, no stamping for me on this card!

I am sending this card to the Alzheimers Care Center that is listed on Carolyn King's blog. Alzheimers is a terrible disease and the caregivers often go unthanked. If you know someone who is a caregiver, please won't you send them a card? Or, if you are blessed and don't know a caregiver, please send a card to the Center that Cammie listed.

Recipe: Image: Received in a swap CS: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue textured, WW Ink: Black Stazon Accessories: SU! rubons

Please Help Heal Devin

2008-08-30T07:29:00.002-04:00

My co-worker's 2 YO son nearly drowned last summer. He spent several weeks in ICU at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, FL before being sent home.

My co-worker, Jeremy, found out about a family in Tampa, FL who has a hyperbaric chamber that they allow people to use for free! It's their ministry and a wonderful one at that! Devin spent a month in Tampa getting treatments and he showed great improvment! Unfortunately, he was unable to stay longer and now Devin is back home. Jeremy is trying to raise enough money to buy a hyperbaric chamber for Devin and he intends to have the same ministry as the family in Tampa - allowing other folks to use the machine for free! Jeremy has a heart full of love for all his children; you can see it in his face and hear it in his voice when he talks about them.

www.helphealdevin.com is the website where you can read about Devin and the hyperbaric chamber that Jeremy wants to buy. He is asking that 25,000 people donate $1 each; there is a paypal button on the site.

Please, won't you help Devin and other people who would benefit from this?

Boho Background Gift Card Holder

2008-08-24T17:42:00.004-04:00

I spent most of the weekend making gift card holders and this one is my favorite. Even though it has the scalloped circle and the gold bling, I think this is a masculine card.

I found the tutorial at danasdabblingstudio, scroll down until you get to her tutorial posted on August 20, 2008. It is a easy tutorial to follow and I'm sure I'll be making more of these as the holidays get closer.

The Details:

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel, Bella Rose DSP
Stamps: Boho Background
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Gold bling, 1-3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch

Tropical Storm Fay

2008-08-20T18:33:00.005-04:00

The first two pictures are our backyard; they were taken earlier this afternoon while it was still raining from Tropical Storm Fay. Fortunately, at 6:30 p.m., most of the water has gone down into the ground and our yard isn't flooded anymore.

The storm rolled into Melbourne around 5 a.m. this morning and has been lingering in Northern Brevard County most of the day.

This is our front yard. You can see the gully of water between our house and our neighbor's house.

Today's Featured Stamper at Splitcoast is Knightrone!

2008-08-17T21:26:00.002-04:00

Today's Featured Stamper is Knightrone. She has a fabulous gallery! I chose to CASE this card:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/736662?cat=500&ppuser=61504

I kept the Christmas theme and sketch, but changed just about everything else! I stamped over the poinsettia image with the Linen BG stamp & Sahara Sand ink to give the image a bit more texture.

Recipe:
Stampsets: CTMH (for the poinsettia), Circle of Friendship, So Many Scallops, Linen BG
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, retired SU! DSP
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Basic Black, Sahara Sand
Accessories: CB embossing golder (D'Vine Swirls), Green Stickles, 1" circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, scallop circle punch