If you are my Mom... STOP READING!!!

Everyone else...you can peek. This is a card I made for my parents wedding anniversary. I know I say this a lot but THIS is my favorite card. I was inspired by the sketch over at My Paper World. I used my Always stamp set from Stampin Up. I have been admiring all the wonderful cards people were making with this set. I can honestly say I had no idea this existed even though I had been through my catalog thousands of times. I wasn't until I saw what Beate could do with this set that I thought, what is that, I have to have it.

Okay, lets see if I can explain it all. I stamped the bird first in Barely Banana. Then I used a sponge dauber to blot a little bit of Chocolate Chip Ink on the stamp. I stamped him again and I REALLY like the way it looks. I even had to take a close up shot just to show you. I started to cut out his legs, then realized I had a life to get back too and just stamped them on the BP. Again I apologize, I have no idea who makes this paper. It was from a 6x6 block of vintage looking cardstock. I used my ticket punch on the edges of the bird and mounted him on the decorative paper and then a piece of Close to Cocoa paper. This was my first attempt at the Versamark pad for a watermark design with the berries and I think I did alright. I inked all the edges with my Distress Ink (I can't help it) and also used my Versamark pad for the Everything stamp. Final touches were the cute little flowers attached with a brad. I love the soft colors but mostly that little bird. Thanks for looking!

Another Sketch Challlenge...

This lovely sketch is from Amy Rysavy at Prarie Paper and Ink. Talk about talent. I have been eyeing her creations for awhile now and thought this sketch looked like a lot of fun. I never think to overlap a circular image over the main image. Most the time I go brain dead when I sit at my craft table so a sketch helps me know which direction to go.

I really liked the way my card started out and then as it progressed it gave me more trouble than I thought it would. For this card I used stamps from Friendship Blooms out of the Sale-A-Bration catalog. There is still time to place an order of $50 to get your FREE stamps. Anyway, I started overthinking, over inking, over cutting, ahhhhh. When all was said and done I think it was the ink color I didn't like. Lovely Lilac was one of my choices with my SU starter kit and I have found it doesn't work for me. Either I am really into the browns right now (which is apparent from yesterday's post and guess what tomorrow's too!!) or I just don't know what to do with this color. I thought it would complement the background paper choices well but it almost got lost. I restamped the flower in black ink, cut it out and mounted it right over the first lilac attempt. I think I will have to try another card, this layout deserves something better. I think I can, I think I can.Well I wish I was off to my craft room but unfortunately the laundry room is calling my name :( I remember being a little girl and my dad giving my mom a hard time because she always complained about the laundry. I remember thinking, "Yeah, why is she complaining, the machine does all the work, she doesn't even have to wash them." Oh, to be little again!!!! If only a machine would do it all! If you find one let me know. Happy Thursday!!

Mojo Madness Week 26

Oh boy was I excited about this sketch. Julee always has the best sketches. If you haven't checked out her stuff yet, you should. She is also the designer of Verve Visual stamps. There is a Serenity set that is totally been calling my name. I have been trying not to buy other stamps right now to try and get my SU collection growing but this set is tempting me. They are having 15% off AND free shipping at Verve just through the end of February. I guess you know what I will be ordering on February 29th!!!!

Anyway, I have been really excited about sharing this card with you. I used my new Bloomin Beautiful set that comes out on March 1st. This set is so gorgeous. I new right away I wanted to use this flower for the large panel. Julee's sketch had only 4 squares on the side but I thought mine needed five (sorry Julee). The squares I punched were a bit smaller and four looked empty. I used my Earthy Elements markers to color it in and love the way the big flower looks. I even had to take a close up pic just to show you. I used a flower punch for the side, distressed the edges and attached it with a jeweled brad from SU. I wanted to do a scallop like the card Julee made but my punch is on backorder. I tried a circle but didn't care for the way it looked so I had to compromise but ultimately I think I like this better.

I was totally on a creative roll yesterday, I got throug three cards in a hour, can you believe it. I finished all my cards for the sketch challenges, two more left. So check back for those creations.

Hostess Benefit Stamp Card

I have been waiting to ink this baby up. These are the CUTEST stamps in the hostess benefits level 3 stamp set Time Well Spent. You can earn this set FREE when you host a workshop that totals over $500 along with all the other goodies! I love to color my stamps and spent quite a bit of time doing just that with this card. I used my Earthy Elements markers to color. Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, and Summer Sun. On the big flower I used my yellow Watercolor pencil from SU. I wanted it to be a little softer. Then when I was done coloring I realized it was a little to soft. I used my sponge daubers and distress ink to give it some dimension. I cut out five of the little flowers with the intention of using them all along the bottom but ran out of room. I couldn't waste it so I mounted right in the middle of the big flower. I love the way it turned out because it was kind of puny without it. I have to apologize because I have no idea who made the patterned paper. I am really bad about that. I have a HUGE stash of paper from scrapbooking and am trying to use it so I can buy some new stuff. Any bold paper would work. The little flowers along the bottom are mounted with two flush and two on dimensionals. I started flush than alternated for dimension. The eyelets are from SU, Jumbo Pewter Eyelets. Oh yeah, the sentiment is from this set as well and mounted on Real Red Cardstock. I colored the little flowers and VOILA! Hope you like!!!
(Oh almost forgot, the cardstock used the make this card is Night of Navy from the Rich Regals Collection)

New Mini Occasion Stamps

So I have been very happily stamping in my craft room lately. I have had a lot of orders from friends and family for cards. Everytime I think about doing a sketch challenge or making cards for a card swap I get another request for cards. I am so happy about the wonderful response I've gotten. My Etsy store is at an all time low. I made a few today and thought I would share them with you.

This card is cased (sort of) from the new SU mini occasions catalog. Don't forget you can purchase these stamps yourself in March. I really love the way this card turned out. I used my NEW (you'll see this word a lot) Bloomin Beautiful Stamp set. I actually bought this set just to make this card. All the other stamps in this set are beautiful as well and it might even be one of my favorite sets. I used my NEW (see, told you) Sanded stamp in Chocolate Chip for the background. I stamped the flower in Chocolate Chip too. I've found that I use this color A LOT more than my black. It is just softer and I really like it. I used my NEW (hehe) SU Earthy Elements markers and my watercolor pencils to color the image. I used the Merci stamp from my FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set. What do you think??

This card I made for a friend of mine who needed a card for another friends adoption. This stamp is from another set in the mini catalog called Big On Spring. I knew I had to have this one. My sister is having a baby in June and I wanted it to make her a card for her shower. The little onsie is pieced on and looks so adorable.

I will have lots more to post so please check back. There are three challenges I can't wait to get to. They are some amazing sketches. Should be fun!!

Weekend Sketch Challenge #36

Happy Weekend again!! This week seemed to go really fast for me. I had tons of stuff to get done and only made through about half of my list. :( The good news is my new box of SU goodies arrived so I did get some stamping in. :) I'd much rather be stamping then all the things I had to do so I'm not to bummed. Next week will be busy though. This weeks sketch challenge was a fun one because I got to use my new stamps. I ordered some from the new mini catalog and was very impatiently waiting for them. This one came from the For Father stamp set which I really love. It is very fun to color. I can't wait to make more. I "borrowed" the idea for the eyelets from the card showcased by MJ Albright. I really loved the card she made for Beate's sketch challenge. I will be posting more later since I had a chance to work on some things. The stamps from the mini are really fun. Oh and the best part. I mounted them in record time. It was nice not to have to trim them. Leaves more time for creating!!!!!

Wild Wasabi Card Stock Special

Purchase a special-offer Wild Wasabi card stock pack for only $3.95 .
The pack includes 16 sheets of 4-1/2" x 11-1/2" Wild Wasabi textured card stock that has been scored at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8".

Take a look here for a list of some great ideas with this special.

This special is only available March 1 - April 30. Don't miss out on this great deal.

Photo Copyright of Stampin' Up.

A Good Egg Indeed!

So I FINALLY have had a chance to ink up a few of my new stamps. This one is by far one of my favorites. The little chick is so cute. I love the way this card turned out. The color choices were very bright but I think that is what I love. The egg shell was paper pieced to give it some texture. I roughed up the edges of the card stock and mounted my little chick using dimensionals. All the stamps used are from the Stampin Up A Good Egg set. Of course, I had to try out all my new ink pads too, so the flower back ground is Lovely Lilac, and the dots along the bottom are Barely Banana and Brilliant Blue. This was my first attempt at two step stamping and I really like it. It adds so much more depth to the stamps. I hope you like it. Stay posted because I'm planning on getting a few more cards posted.

Autism Awareness

Have you been to Stampin Mama's blog lately. Erika Martin is an incredibly talented stamper who designs for some great companys. She is having a HUGE giveaway to help raise awareness for autism. Gina K Designs even designed a stamp set in honor of her son. She has a lot of really good information. Check it out, it's worth your time.

It's the Weekend...

...and that can only mean one thing. Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge! I have been itching to stamp since my Stampin Up starter kit got here. I haven't been feeling good lately so all my new stamps have been sitting there very neglected. When I saw this weeks sketch I new right away what stamp set I wanted to use. The Stamp of Authenticity set was my FREE set for signing on during Sale-A-Bration. I don't know why I love this stamp set so much but I do. I used Not Quite Navy for my card and Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip as the accents. These colors go so well with this set. I always think blue jeans because of the little proof stamp and brown because this set is just so vintage. Anyway, I hope you like the way this card turned out. I am really happy with it. Hopefully I will get to all the other stamps sets I got soon too. Have a happy weekend.

Extra! Extra!

Want to earn even more Stampin Up for free?!?!?! Stampin Up has announced that from March 18 - April 30th hostesses will great an extra $25.00 in free merchandise. Click here to read more.

Don't forget Sale-A-Bration is NOW through March 17th. Click here to view a brochure.

Receive a free Sale-A-Bration set when you spend at least $50.* There’s no limit—for every $50 you spend, you can select a free Sale-A-Bration set!

Hostesses: When you host a workshop of at least $300, you’ll receive a free Sale-A-Bration set in addition to the generous hostess benefits! You’ll receive a second Sale-A-Bration set when your net workshop sales reach $600. Get a third set for workshop sales of $900 or more!*

Recruits: Sign up to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration and select any set
(value up to $47.95) from the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 free!**

Call me now to schedule your workshop!

A Happy Little Card

This card I made for a sketch challenge at My Paper World. I've never made a card like this one. It was fun to make. I was hoping to be able to use my new Stampin Up stamps but I'm STILL waiting on the package. I being trying to track it for the last few days and it is stuck in Commerce City due to "Adverse Weather Conditions". Is any one else sick of the snow. It has pretty much all melted here and it is still causing me grief. COME ON SPRING. I still haven't had time to try out that idea I had on dry embossing but I'm hoping today I will get to it. I had to give in and clean my house. There should be a warning label one stamps. "Side effects of too much stamping may include but are not limited too: Dirty House, Uncooked Meals, Mountains of Laundry, Unmade Beds and other half finished projects." We have all been sick going on about two months now so hopefully the major disinfecting I gave this place will help with that too. This card was definately a get here soon for spring card. I think everyone is feeling the same too. All the blogs I visit are all full of pretty pastel cards.

I still have to finish cleaning the basement so happy stamping!!

Weekend Sketch Challenge

I really like the card I made for this weekends sketch. It was really a very simple layout and I loved it. There is a alot of room for your own creativity with Beate's layouts. I have had some requests lately for more birthday cards and thought this layout would be perfect. I used another one of my new stamps from Stampendous. I love how playful the flowers are. They were fun to color and really give the card a cute punch. I used a dimensional to adhere the happy birthday and like the way it looks. I don't use dimensionals alot and have decided to try it more. I still have not perfected the art of bow tying. Mine never seem to turn out the way I think they should. I either don't know what I am doing or expect way to much of my ribbon. If anyone has any tricks please let me know so I can stop blaming the ribbon. I have a new idea for dry embossing that I am off to try and I will let you all know if it works!!!

Macy's Valentine's

My daughter Macy is in Kindergarten and of course her V-day party is next week. I was in search of a cute valentine card and couldn't find anything. I turned to a few blogs for inspiration. I found the instructions for these adorable Sour Cream Containers on Beate's blog . I knew this was what I was looking for immediately. The directions were very easy to follow. My daughter and I took to my craft room for what I thought would be a couple hours of "love" to create them. I was shocked (my husband too) when we emerged after about 45 minutes with 25 valentines. We had a semi-assembly line going with me taping and crimping and my daughter stuffing them with kisses. She signed the tag and voila. Oh, and the best part. I made all of these with scrap papers leftover from other projects. These have been my favorite paper craft yet. I can't wait to try them for birthday's, baby showers and more. Thanks for the great idea Beate!

It Was Only A Matter of Time!!

I knew it was bound to happen when I tried my first stamp. I have resigned from Creative Memories and have signed on with STAMPIN UP!!! I'm really excited about the change. Creatively, Stampin Up is more inline with my own creative path. I am selling all my on hand products for a discount. If you are interested in seeing a list please email me at scraps_by_m@hotmail.com.
If you would be interested in seeing a catalog or hosting a workshop please let me know.
I'll let you all know when my starter kit arrives. I can't wait to get started!!

Mojo Madness

I knew these challenges were going to be addicting but I don't think I realized just how hooked I would be. I have had a good time looking at some of the other cards posted too. It is really neat how one sketch can make SO MANY different cards. For this card I used my new stamp from the Stampendous Bee Happy collection. These bees are so cute, I have a couple and this was my first chance to try them out. I used Stampin Up's watercolor pencils and blender pens to color my bee and add a touch of color to the butterfly. I had planned on tying the yellow ribbon were the eyelet is but it covered the stamped images too much so I just threaded it through and tacked it down on the back side. This card measures 4.25 x 4.25 like the sample size that Julee did. I have never done a card this size and was surprised just how small it was. It was a fun challenge and I'm pleased with the end result.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge

Okay, I found another one. This sketch is from Beate's website and I was really excited to try it. I have never done one of her sketches. She is an incredibly talented stamper. This was a really fun card. I LOVED the layout. It was easy to work with and I really like the way my card turned out. I used blue cardstock to make the card itself. The decorative paper is from Sweetwater. The three chipboard flower are from the same company and coordinate well with the paper. The stamps used are from Stampin Up's Unfrogettable Collection. And I have to tell you EVERYTIME I use this set I get Nat King Cole's Unforgettable stuck in my head. Anyway, the stamps were a lot of fun and added a big splash of color. I added two green brads just for a bit of something. I added blue ribbon and then the twine to tie on the hang tag that is also from Sweetwater. Hope you like it!

Verve Visual Challenge

Well this is my very first challenge and WOW did I find a good one. Verve Visual is a stamping company offering this challenge to all stampers. Get this, the winner gets to be a guest designer for one month with the company. Cross your fingers!! I came across it searching my favorite blogs. I have been waiting two days to try my hand at this sketch (sick kids). I couldn't stop at just one so I did three.
This one was my first and I sort of like it. It is what I wanted to do but something wasn't right. On my second attempt I figured out what it was. The size of the brown diamond is too small or the one with my stamped image is too big. Either way the proportions just weren't right. I do like the ribbons on this one though.

My second try brought this ladybug card. I really liked the way this one turned out. The coloring I did on the stamp itself has to be my favorite. I like the shading and the two toned coloration on the body. This just turned out to be a very fun, playful card. In hind sight I wish I hadn't done the stitching around the bee. I was going to hand draw the stitches with a green pen to mimic the ones in the background paper and I think it would have turned out better if I had. (Lesson 1: Trust your instincts :)

Ok, and for the grand finale I made the flower card. Your probably looking at it thinking, hello, you were suppose to stamp the card, but I promise I did. That LITTLE yellow circle in the middle was stamped. So, maybe it was a bit of a stretch but I was trying to do something out of the ordinary with the square shape in the middle. (I just couldn't make myself cut one more box.) I LOVE the way the shading on the petals turned out. It sort of makes it look like the tips are beginning to die like a real flower would. Instead of a solid sheet of paper behind the flower I used two pieces of ribbon. I think for my first "challenge" I did pretty good. I'm off to find more sketches because boy is this addicting!!

Creative Memories UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

True 12 x 12 sizing - Special early release. It's new, true, and just for you! Introducing true 12 x 12 sizing on our newest albums, paper and pages. We've altered our sizing ever so slightly but with huge results. Now you can flip a piece of paper, and because the page and the paper are truly square, it will fit in any direction on your page. And, with this sizing change, you can now fit two 4 x 6 photos horizontally on your page - no cropping needed. We've got our complete array of true 12 x 12 products launching in March, but we're so excited about the options that true 12 x 12 provides that we're launching some selected items right now! We've got everything you need to start a new, true 12 x 12 project available right now, including true 12 x 12 Coversets, White Refill Pages, Page Protectors and two of our new Power™ Palette Systems. Contact me today to get started - you'll love the flexibility that true 12 x 12 sizing brings to your projects!

With the introduction of the new line the old stuff has to go. Now is a good time to begin wrapping up those current projects and get ready to start new ones in a new size. Don't worry if you have old pages left over they will fit in the new size albums, however, the new sizes will not fit in the old.

If you want to order more pages for your current album or any of the old albums before they retire please let me know. If you are like me and do each project (child) in a certain color you may want to order enough albums as well because colors are also changing.

If you have any questions about the new change to Creative Memories please let me know. I am here to help.