New Years Belief

Thank you for visiting my blog this past year...well, it'll be a year in a few months. Thanks for your encouraging and positive comments...greatly appreciated!

My belief, for those of you reading this, is summarized in the verse of scripture on this card from 3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth!! Happy New Year!

Perky Penguin

Love this little guy - this card design was one I received in a stamping swap. Thanks Avis for the instructions! The scan is not the best as you can't see how it pops out when opened. Love the wording in this card "Abundance is....unexpected blessings!" May you all receive many unexpected blessings during the holiday season and an abundance in every category of life for the new 2008 year!! God bless you and your families and thanks for dropping by!

Secret Sister Swap Gifts

I just wanted to show you what I received in the mail this week from Julie Griffith, my secret sister/santa! I belong to a TAC stamping group and we had a sister/santa swap...never having done one before with them, I thought it would be fun to try it out. Well, as you can see by the pictures below, I was blown away by Julie's generosity and talent (well, talent, I already knew she was a very talented stamp artist!). I didn't want to open up some of the gifts because her wrapping was so pretty. She sent me lotsa hand-crafted items (the personalized notecards and the calendar with verses of scripture were some of my favorites!), some TAC products and a cd from their WHAG stamping seminar. Needless to say, I was totally BLESSED! Thanks again, Julie, for your big heart of giving!!

Holiday Carnival!!

If you haven't done so yet, please visit Craft Critique's Holiday Carnival. They had three days full of different BLOGS featuring holiday cards, decorations (see me here!), sb layouts, altered items, gift ideas, gift boxes, recipes --- anything to help you with ideas for the upcoming holidays and then some. I participated this year and was overwhelmed with the talent out there and the great hearts of these crafters to share with us. So go visit and enjoy your time there! Go on!

Simply Rudy - Embossing a Background

Don't you just love this little guy? He's from Tis the Season stamp set. You could easily use this set with the Merry Wishes paper that is so festive looking! Scroll down to see my post where I used this paper to make ornaments and to take advantage of this paper special until November 30th!!

First, I made my own fern background by heat embossing the fern from Bold Flourishes stamp set. For newbie stampers, that means I stamped my fern image with embossing ink and then sprinkled embossing powder over it. Then we heat emboss it with a heat gun until the powder melts and you see a shiny surface. A very cool technique. Er, or should that be a very hot technique??!) I used a scrap piece of Rustic Chic paper behind Rudy (you know how I can't throw away these small scraps of TAC paper!) I then embellished it with a ribbon and paper flower. That's it - simply Rudy! Hope you enjoy him.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May you and your families be blessed with a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving day! Every day is a day to be thankful if we just take the time to THINK about how God has blessed us TODAY!

Here's a card I made using Ephesians 3:20 as the central focus of the card. This verse is our ministry's "theme" verse for the year. I'm so THANKFUL for that! Ephesians 3:20 is one of my all time favorite verses. If you'll look at the column on the right hand side you'll see it there, under my picture. Yep, that's where you've seen it before. This verse is one I always bring my mind back to when I'm challenged in life. God can do ABOVE AND BEYOND what we can ask or think!! Wow, how awesome and comforting is that?? All we have to do is BELIEVE His Word and claim His promises. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, our theme for the year is "Your Power for Abundant Living." What a great theme to work & study this year, huh?

Again HAPPY THANKSGIVING today and tomorrow and tomorrow and...!! God bless!

Teabag-Folded Tree

We made these teabag-folded trees at Rita's Ohio Gathering (thanks, Rita!) but I misplaced the directions. So from memory (oh boy!) I made this one. They are easy to make once you put one together. I don't have her instructions but I found this website that has similar instructions.

The sizes of paper squares that I used on this Welcome card were:
3x3",
2-1/2 x 2-1/2"
2x2",
1-1/2 x 1-1/2"

First I used the Patridge's tail (from TAC's "Partridge" rubber stamp set) as my design & I stamped it on light green cardstock using Bordeaux Palette inkpad on the first and third layers. For the green layers I doodled white dots on my green cardstock using my Signo white pen.

Next, I folded as per instructions and nested them together with glue dots. The bottom striped strip and the two top ones are from TAC's Amelia paper collection. Love the vintage look of this paper! I then tied some jute twine around the strip before adhereing it to the front of the card.

I will be punching 1/8" hole on top to thread ribbon thru them and use them as ornaments. I saw a technique using beeswax, so I want to try this on some of these ornaments & see what they turn out like. I love experimenting with new techniques, don't you? I will show you those once I try that technique. Well, friends, thanks for dropping by and lookin'!

Notecards Box with Divider (altered treat box)

I saw this cute Treat Box tutorial and thought I'd give it a try. No, this isn't a sample of that treat box -- sorry. But it is the first time I've tried a challenge and it was lotsa fun! Loved the treat box!

Here's what I did differently. I decided to use double-side paper instead and then was inspired to alter it and turn it into a notecards box with an inside divider for my desk. Tell me what you think.

To make the divider, I simply and obviously didn't thread ribbon thru it like the treat box tutorial called for. I brought all folds together to form the box. I then brought two of the pointed triangular folds to the center and adhered them together with double-sided tape. Then you adhere the remainder of the sides together to complete the box. That's it!

You can use this not only for notecards, but you could put receipes, tall candy bars, napkins and plastic ware, etc. You get the picture. The divider makes it a more versatile box to use.

I used Tag Tidbits (which is one of the best stamp sets to use for "teeny" sayings) for the "Just a Note", Amelia hardware , Salsa Flowers and I put to use some discounted double-sided paper.


Thanks for dropping by - God bless YOU!

"Merry Wishes" ornaments

Here are some ornaments I made with TAC's "Merry Wishes" 12x12 paper collection. I really like this paper - it's so versatile!

I covered wood cutouts with the paper. You can put a "stonewashed" look on them to soften the colors by lightly dry brushing white acrylic paint over them or you can put a "vintage" look on them to get that old world look by edging the ornaments with Versamagic "Jumbo Java" inkpad (or your favorite brown inkpad) with a cosmetic sponge - whatever the look you want, it's easy to do with this paper. You'll then want to seal the ornaments with a matte sealer.

Right now TAC has a "Merry Stamping" special on this paper! You can get the paper collection (which includes 16 heavy weight patterned paper, alphas, tags, AND a 34-word stamp set for only $29.95!-retails for 39.95. Check out the "Merry Words" - they are wonderful for those scrapbooking pages you know you're gonna make this holiday! This paper goes a long way and it is has such a fun & festive look. Click here if you want to see the rest of my TAC online store.

Thanks for dropping by to visit me! God bless~

Tutorial - Scalloped Shrink Plastic Ribbon Slider

I was asked how I made the scallop edge on the Teeny Tiny Tag with the oval scallop punch. I thought I'd show you how to do that plus combine it with how to make a shrink plastic ribbon slider. Whew!-what a mouthful.

For the scalloped ribbon slider (see SLIDE pictures below this):

-First, remove the plastic back to expose the scallop punch opening.

-Cut a piece of opaque shrink plastic 3"x2". The size you use must be, of course, smaller then the opening so you can feed it thru.

-Insert your shrink plastic as you normally would. Then feed it thru and out the punch opening. (See Slide pictures below.)

-Position it & you're ready to punch the scallop edge.

-Punch two 1/4" holes on each side. This is where you will slide your ribbons thru.

-Using black Versamagic inkpad. Stamp your image on the shrink plastic.

-With a an heat gun, heat emboss it holding it down with tweezers.

-It will begin to curl but don't freak out-it's suppose to! Keep heat gun on it until it curls & uncurls itself.

-Immediately place it under an acrylic block to flatten it.

-Color in images. I used Impress markers. Some I just sponged inkpad colors on them. Hit them with heat gun a few seconds to dry off the colors.

-You're ready to use it as a ribbon slider or a charm.

Shrink plastic is easy and lots of fun to make your own charms, embellishments, alpha stickers, earrings etc. Now go make one and show me your work. Thanks for joining me today!

SO MUCH - SO GENEROUS!!

Wow! Have I told you lately how blessed I am to be a part of TAC (The Angel Company) rubber stamps and scrapbooking company? A lot of people aren't familiar with THE ANGEL COMPANY and all it has to offer. This is just a "heads up" for you. I can't tell you enough what a great company to be a part of and they are just so GENEROUS to their customers and their demonstrators. If you've been considering in becoming an independent demonstrator, you must read on. Join my "Luv 2 Bless" Stampers team and have fun with us! There is only a minimum of $100 in retail orders in 4 consecutive months and there are so many benefits available to you. Email me for more info or click here to read on your own. Take some time (you're gonna get blessed!) and look at some of the GENEROUS SPECIALS just for the month of November:

"Celebration" will continue ALL THRU the month of November. This is where, when you place your order with me, all customer and hostess benefits ARE DOUBLED! Can you believe this? Regularly, for EVERY $30 order you get 1 free GWP (gift with purchase) stamp. But now you get 2 instead of 1. With your $100 FUNSHOP, free hostess stamps sets are DOUBLED also! Plus you still get one 1/2 off item with that!

SURPRISE BOXES - These are GREAT for the "gift-giving" holiday coming up as there is quite a variety of product in this baby! Surprise Boxes are a box full of discontinued product which has at least $100 retail value. You can order one, or as many as you'd like, for only $50!

"Fond Farewell" to some of our paper collections. Only $3.50 for 36-sheet pad of 8x8 paper and $10 for 12x12 heavy weight paper collections (which include tags, alpha stickers, embellishments) as follows (click on highlighted name to see the wonderful colors of paper):

Bella Flor - $19.95 now $10.00
Kaleidoscope Brites - $19.95 now $10.00
Surf Shoppe - $6.95 now $3.50
Simply Spooky - $6.95 now $3.50
Whimsey Blossoms - $6.95 now $3.50
Finger Paints - $6.95 now $3.50
Country Cottage - $6.95 now $3.50
Metropolis - $6.95 now $3.50
Lap of Luxury - $6.95 now $3.50


"Merry Stamping" special - includes "Merry Wishes" paper 12x12 paper collection and "Merry Words" 34-stamp set (retail $39.90) for only $29.95 for BOTH! This is such a FUN paper collection for all your holiday projects.


Stamp of the month - with $30 purchase get this "Button Words" 12-stamp set for only $6.95!
Vintage monthly set - with $30 purchase get the "Ginger Joy" gingerbread man for only $4.25. A great one to use for your holiday candy tags.

Well, didn't I tell you you'd get blessed? Thanks for dropping by to see me. I'll have some artwork and tutorial in my next post, so come back to visit me! God bless~

Natalie Rose Card

Here's a baby card I made for one of my sweet customers. Her newborn baby's name is Natalie Rose. Isn't that such a lovely name?

For a really soft color to edge a girlie card, try Versamagic Pink Petunia. I used the Mimi paper collection & edged it with this color chalk inkpad.



For the white dots on the scallop and the name plate, I used the sharpie poster-paint pen. Click on the photo for a larger view. "Children are a gift (heritage) of the Lord" - don't you just love that verse?

Tutorial - Walnut Ink Resist - updated

I said I would show you the demo on Walnut Ink Resist that I presented at our Ohio Gathering rubber stamping weekend. Glossy paper is used for this technique. The instructions are on the picture SLIDE but, for "newbies," you're basically going to:

- Ink your stamp with Versamark or embossing ink and stamp it on your glossy paper.
- Sprinkle stamped image with CLEAR embossing powder.
- With heat gun, heat emboss image until it melts to a shiny surface.
- Take the dauber on the Terra Cotta Walnut Ink bottle and swipe all over your image and paper. The embossed images will "resist" the ink and you'll get a really interesting vintage look to your work.
- Let the ink dry or you can wipe off excess ink with kleenex depending on the look you want. That's all there is to it!

The SLIDE show below shows variations of faux looks you can obtain when doing this technique. I used the Amelia paper collection to match this vintage look. Any questions? You must give it a try! It's lotsa fun. We'd love to see what you've done with it. Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Teeny Tiny Gift Card

Harvest Hellos

Of course you know the post below prompted this card! You can click on the picture for a closer & larger view.

I used "Delicious Autumn" stamp set and "Kaleidoscope Boyz" paper. Don't forget this 36-sheet paper pad is part of the Crazy for Color - Kaleidoscope Kit paper collection set. It's very versatile and fun. Thanks for visiting me.

Okay, Fall Is Here!

>
There! I said it! It takes me a long time before I can say that word since I don't ever want summer (my favorite season) to be over! But then when I'm at our favorite pumpkin farm and I see all of God's blessings, I'm totally okay with it! Here are some photos my boys and I took last weekend. Believing you'll enjoy them!

Simplicity - Sweet Tweet

Crazy for Color - Kaleidoscope Kit

This month TAC is making available the KALEIDOSCOPE Paper Collection Kit for only $34.95 which includes all of the following:

Kaleidoscope Brites Paper Collection ($19.95)
Kaleidoscope Girlz Paper Colection ($6.95)
Kaleidoscope Boyz Paper Collection ($6.95)
Kaleidoscope "Wordz" 30-stamp set ($10.95)

The total value of this kit is retailed at $44.90. But this month you can get it for $34.95!!! Wowza! All of that paper AND an 30-stamp set? Very generous, huh? I'd say so and such fun paper collections especially for the KIDZ' projects!

See My Samples in the New Fall Supplement

The new TAC Fall Supplement is here! I'm so excited to share with you that I designed samples for three of the new stamps sets in TAC's Fall Supplement! I was so blessed to have been given that opportunity. My favorite stamp set was the "Birdy Holiday" - what do you think? These samples are located on pages 9 and 10 of the supplement but if you want to see the whole supplement click here. I'm believing you'll enjoy making your holiday projects with these newbies. Thanks for visiting me and let me know if I can help you with your stamping or scrapbooking projects. Bless~

Designer Papers 50% Off This Month!

These 8x8, 70# text paper pads consist of six designs. Each design comes in six colors. One of each sheet for a total of 36 sheets per pad. The following Designer Paper Pads (36 sheets) are 50% this month. You can get them for $3.50 EACH!! "Country Cottage" Metropolis Finger Paints Lap of Luxury

Celebrate With Double Rewards

During the month of October:
-have a Funshop and receive DOUBLE hostess rewards!!
-place a $30 order and receive DOUBLE GWP (gift with purchse) free stamps!!

Can you believe all of this free stuff?? Pick a date and Celebrate! Call me to book your FUNSHOP today!

Simplicity

Pause to Reflect

I got really blessed with Debbie's post entitled Pause to Reflect. It got me to THINK how important it is that we take the time to pause and think about what we're thinking about, to take the time to pause and be thankful for what we have and to enjoy it. I was reminded of the word "Selah" used in the Book of Psalms. Selah means to pause and calmly think or consider about what was just read. You'll find that word in one of my favorite verses, Psalms 68:19 -it says "Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits; even the God of our salvation. Selah." One thing Debbie wrote, "The pauses give resonance to the words, giving them a place to live in our heart." Certainly I want to pause and consider what that verse is stating. I definitely want that verse to saturate my thinking because it is such a wonderful promise to claim! Words can definitely have an impact in our lives. So I often ask myself, "why not allow God's Words be the "preferred" choice to dominate my thinking instead of dwelling on the negatives of life?" If you haven't done so, go to TAC's home page and scroll down to the bottom of the page & take a look at Debbie's "Simply Inspired" blog. Her writings will surely inspire you to "think." Thanks Debbie. Bless ya~

Don't Throw Away Those Scraps!

Okay because I enjoy this Genevieve paper so much, I don't throw away any of my scraps. Here I used 2" and under scraps to make this cute scalloped mini tag. I know somewhere "they" say you should throw away scraps 1/4 of a sheet or less. Are they crazy? They certainly can't be talking about TAC paper collections!!! Haha!!

Genevieve Gift Box

Here's a gift box I made for our Ohio Gathering birthday gift wrapping challenge. I used the "Genevieve" paper (my favorite paper collection!) I didn't have enough of the same ribbon so I didn't like the way it turned out. I made something completely different. I just wanted to show you how you can alter a simple gift box with TAC's wonderful patterned papers!

Ohio Gathering Fun!

Had a wonderful and fun time. Met the nicest women and boy were they talented too! You'll see by the pictures. Thank you ladies for blessing my life! Here are some pictures from our Ohio Gathering. Believing to post some other things later. Enjoy!!

Frig Scrapbook Page

Here's a quick 6x6 scrapbook page to make & hang on your refrigerator. When you've completed it, insert it into an 6x6 page protector, tie a ribbon thru the two holes, add a magnet to the back of it & hang on your refrigerator. When you want to make a change, just slide a new scrapbook layout to replace this one. These make quick gifts too. I used TAC's "Pop Rockz" paper collection on the frog prince one and "Mimi" paper on the second one. I just noticed the picture was crooked on the second one - sorry!

The Ohio Gathering is almost here!

These past few weeks I've been working on my r.s. demo, blog presentation, birthday gifts, display boards, digital swap etc. for Rita's NE Ohio Gathering this weekend! This is where all the Ohio (and some other states) independent demonstrators for The Angel Company meet for a weekend. We share ideas on scrapbooking, rubber stamping, business building etc. I can't wait - it's sure to be filled with lotsa fun and fellowship! I will post some of my "stuff" for you to look at later on. In the meantime here's a sample of what?:

Girl, It's All About the Belly!

I borrowed my friend's camera (thanks Sheryll), since mine is getting fixed, and I'm trying to post some of the things I've been working on.

Isn't this a cute card for an expectant mom? Just love Mabelle Ramirez' stamp sets - especially this one called "It's Swell." She's awesome. Que dices, Mabelle. Te gusta esta tarjeta? I hope so. Used Catelynne paper collection.

Perky Penguin doing the ChaCha

Okay, I'm the one still doing the ChaCha - using the "ChaCha" paper collection, that is. Can you tell I like these decorative papers?! They are so versatile - you can even use them for winter papercrafting. I also used the flowers from the "Oh How" Hostess Special stamp set - they reminded me of snowflakes. So, hey, I think differently than you all, huh? Hope you enjoy this winter card.

Paper Piecing with the Mimi Collection

I don't know what happened to my last post. My pictures for the "Remember September" PaperCrafting month didn't show up. So let's try it again. Here are the "Mimi" paper collection samples. I did some paper piecing on these.

For newbies, here's a quick "how to" on paper piecing:

1- stamp your full image on white cardstock and color in only the hair, face & arms.

2- stamp different parts of your image on different parts of your patterned paper. You will cut out these images and adhere them back to the white cardstock, thus, paper piecing. This is a neat way to add interest and alot of dimension to your work.

Contact me to purchase your Coordinating Paper Sets so you too can start paper piecing some scrapbook or rubber stamped artwork. Have a blessed day!!