Craft Spasms

I've been having some SEVERE muscle spasms in my lower back.  It started last Saturday (not THIS last Saturday, but the one before) and didn't get REALLY bad until this last Friday evening.  I went to the doctor today.  He adjusted my back and prescribed some steroids to help reduce inflammation and some heavy-duty pain killers.  There's something about pain killers that makes me wanna get all crafty up in here, so that's what I did when I got off work today.  Before I get to all this craftiness, though, I have a picture I want to share.  When I go to my craft room, all three boys go with me (the dog, Ernie, and the cats, Smith & Wesson).  Ernie always takes a nap while the cats bird-watch from the window.  This one will probably wind up in a scrapbook and will be titled "Brothers"...

I just LOVE those boys!!

Well, this card is going to look familiar because it's nearly identical to one I made over the weekend.  I changed the sentiment, though, because I needed a card to go with a gift that I've made for a friend.  Besides stamping, I also enjoy sewing and crocheting.  Most of my crochet is thread crochet and I mostly make doilies.  I won't go into details about this card and bookmark since the information for products used is in a previous post.  I thought the bookmark turned out BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL and I made two matching doilies to send, as well.  I hope she likes everything!!

The doc said I probably wouldn't get much relief from these muscle spasms until about Thursday, so I'm not looking forward to the next couple of days very much.  I'm hoping and praying for some relief before then and am doing everything I can to make it happen.  Until then, maybe these pain killers will help me create some more "neato-mosquito" stuff!!

Toodles,

Lovin' The New Bird Punch!!

I have fallen in love with the new Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch from Stampin' Up!  It makes elegant cards come together in a flash and the new style of punches are SO much easier to store and to find when they're stored.  The inspiration for this card came from the most current issue of Card Maker magazine.  I started with a card base of Soft Suede.  I used one of the Cuttlebug border embossing folders to emboss the scallops along the bottom edge.  The next thing I did was layer some of the Raspberry Tart DSP on Rose Red, Whisper White, and Bashful Blue Cardstock.  The sentiment was stamped in Soft Sueded classic ink and comes from the "Messages For Mom" stamp set.   Before punching the bird from Bashful Blue CS, I stamped one of the images from the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set in Bashful Blue classic ink.  I punched the bird and the wing (I didn't LITERALLY punch the bird) and then inked the edges of the wing to give it a little more definition. I used my Basic Black marker to give the bird an eye.  The branches were punched, using the same punch,  from Old Olive CS.  The flower image was stamped in Rose Red classic ink on Whisper White CS, from the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set and then cut out by hand.  A white half pearl from the "Pretties Kit" was added to the center of the flower.  The bird's wing and the flower were added to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals to give the card some depth.  I thought it turned out VERY elegant!

Toodles,
Jen

Ewes Are Sweet!!

If I'd known I could throw this card together so quickly, I'd have just added it to my last post.  This turned out just as adorable as the bunny card.  Which one do you like best?  I think I'm leanin' toward the bunny, but can't really decide.  SUPER fun and easy to make.  If you'd like to learn how to make cards like this, you should come by for a visit to my stamp room (AKA "The Woman Cave").  We'd have SO much fun!!

Toodles (again),
Jen

Hoppy Easter!!

Check out this little fella!  This card was made almost entirely using the punches from Stampin' Up!  The only stamped image is the sentiment and it came from the stamp set called "A Good Egg".  I used Whisper White, Lovely Lilac, Close To Cocoa, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock.  Highlights were added to the eyes using the Signo White Gel Pen.  Whiskers and toes were added using the skinny end of a Basic Black marker.  Punches used include the scalloped border, 1/4" circle, 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle1 1/4" circle, 1 3/4" circle, Scalloped Oval, Small Oval, and Large Oval.  This card was super easy and turned out super-duper, neato-mosquito, cutie-patootie!!  Dontcha think??

Toodles,
Jen

Easter Treats in a Flash!

Check out these Easter treats that go together in a flash!  I used the Baskets and Blooms Sizzix Bigz die to cut the pieces for my basket.  I used sticky strip (acme strength adhesive) to put it together, stuffed some Easter treats in a cellophane bag, tied it with ribbon, and added a punched accent to the front... WAH-LAH!!  Easter treats with some handmade flair... and everyone will think you went to SO much work!!

Toodles,

Jen

Wasn't Sure I'd Be Back!!

It's been SO long since I posted that I was starting to wonder, myself, if I'd ever be back. For months, I wasn't quite myself and couldn't seem to muster the "mojo" or whatever it was that normally drives me to stamp. I have recently been re-organizing my stamp room, though, and I think that might be just what I needed to get my creative juices flowing again. I made eight cards today... two of each of the following.



This card started with a Chocolate Chip card base.  I stamped the background image in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink from the Baroque Motifs set.  "Celebrate" was stamped in Baja Breeze and "Your Day" was stamped in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White cardstock.  The dots were punched from So Saffron CS using the 1/4" Circle Punch.  I added that piece along with a strip of Real Red CS to my card base and added a piece of ribbon.  I didn't have any So Saffron ribbon, so this is "traitor" ribbon that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

This card uses a Real Red card base with layers of Basic Black, Whisper White, and More Mustard.  The monkeys were stamped from the "Fox & Friends" stamp set in Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi.  The sentiment was stamped in Basic Black ink and is from the "Happy Everything" stamp set.  The card was finished off with a piece of Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon.

This card started with a Pink Pirouette base and then I added a layer of Very Vanilla after punching the left edge and piercing the right-hand corners.  I added a strip of Olive Press DSP to the Very Vanilla layer.  The image was created using the new SU punch in Old Olive, Baja Breeze, and Pink Pirouette CS.  The sentiment was stamped in Old Olive.

This card started with a base of Old Olive.  The image was stamped in Old Olive ink from the "Thoughts & Prayers" stamp set.  The sentiment was stamped from the same set in Old Olive on Kraft CS.  I punched a flower using the "Flowers Three" punch in Baja Breeze CS and added it with a half pearl from the "Pretties Kit" and a piece of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. Before adding that piece to the card, I added a strip of Baja Breeze CS that I scalloped using the scalloped edge punch.

Hopefully, I'm on a roll and won't stop here.  I'll try to do a MUCH better job of updating my blog and being creative!!

Bundle Of Joy

My sister-in-law, Tiffani, is in labor this evening and I'll soon have a new nephew.  That news got me in the mood to make a baby card.  I used the "Teddy & Train" stamp set and the "Pawsitively Prints" DSP with coordinating colors.  The teddy bear image was stamped in Jet Black StazOn on SU Watercolor Paper and then watercolored using the SU markers.  Hope you like the card.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the news of his arrival!!

Toodles,

For the Antelope Hunter

I realize this image is, most likely, an elk.  It's the closest thing I had to an antelope image, though, and I wanted a card to say "congrats" to someone for their recent antelope kill.  I used the Nature Silhouettes stamp set and stamped the images in Chocolate Chip classic ink on Apricot Appeal CS.  I punched a circle with the 1 1/4" circle punch and used it as a mask while stippling Bermuda Bay and Apricot Appeal classic ink over the images.  I removed the mask and wah-lah... I had a moon.  The Apricot Appeal and Bermuda Bay background layers were textured using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  After each piece was embossed, I rubbed the corresponding ink pad over the raised part to make it darker, which gave it more texture.  I added a piece of Apricot Appeal ribbon, but I'm not really sure the card needed it.  I may change my mind about that part and take it off later.  We'll see...  Let me know what you think!

Toodles,

Glitter Critter

I know, I know... I haven't posted in FOREVER and now I have two posts in the same day. 
I haven't used enough glitter, lately, so this card made me happy!  I loooooove glitter and hadn't used my Fine Supernova glitter yet, nor had I used this stamp set.  The stamp set is called "Animal Stories" and I used the coordinating "Tall Tales" Designer Series Paper and cardstock.  The sentiment is from the "Hugs & Wishes" stamp set. The images were stamped in Chocolate Chip classic ink. I applied a strip of Sticky Strip to the strip of Old Olive cardstock and then applied my glitter to that.  I used the ticket corner punch on my image and applied So Saffron brads in the corners.  Tied a piece of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon in a knot and added it to my critter with a mini glue dot.  Super-duper fast and easy.  And now I'm in the mood to use even more glitter and it's almost bedtime.  What to do?  What to do???

Toodles!

Re-Inker Organization & a Card

I found these handy-dandy cutlery organizers at K-Mart and they turned out to be perfect for re-inker bottles.  The little tic-tac containers also fit perfectly on these "shelves".  When I purchased the organizers, I also picked up some sawtooth picture hangers and attached them to the backs of each piece.  Once that was done, these were ready for hanging.  I think they were sold in pairs, but I've had these for a couple of years so I don't remember for sure.

I loved this stamp set (Autumn Days) when I saw it in the catty, but have struggled to come up with any ideas for it.  I paired it with the "Autumn Meadows" Designer Series Paper and coordinating cardstock today and this is what "happened".  I wasn't too sure I was going to like this once I finished with it, but it turned out alright.

I got an e-mail from a fellow stamper today telling me that someone was sending spam out to my "StampChic Fan Club" members.  I apologize for any spam you might have received as a result of being a member of my fan club.  I have changed the settings so that ALL comments and postings MUST be approved by me before they'll be posted or sent out to the group.  This should prevent any future spam, so let me know if you continue to receive e-mails that look "fishy".

Toodles,

Jen

Boo Banner

Don't say that very fast! I got this idea from another blog that I was visiting and thought it was neato-mosquito, so I whipped this out fairly quickly last night. I used the "Ghostly Greetings" Designer Series Paper from last year's SU! catalog and coordinating cardstock. My scalloped squares, straight-edged squares, and scalloped circles were cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities in my regular Sizzix machine. The letters were cut using the "Base Camp" cartridge in the Cricut. I used jumbo pewter eyelets at the top of the "B" square and knotted some striped Kiwi Kiss ribbon to make the hanger. I used sticky strip to adhere a strip of striped Pumpkin Pie ribbon to the backs of the squares, which is what made this whole thing a banner. I used a large circle brad to give the bottom some weight so it would hang straight. I just pulled the little brad legs apart (I know that sounds really bad! ;) ) and then wrapped them around the ribbon. I used needle-nose pliers to get them good and tight on the back so the ribbon would stay gathered and the brad wouldn't slide off. Drop by for a visit between now and Halloween and you'll see this spooky banner hanging on my front door!







Toodles,

Here's a fun halloween card. I used the "Home Is Where the Haunt Is" stamp set, which is retired, but you could just as easily use the "House Of Haunts" set from the current catalog. I started with a piece of Summer Sun cardstock and, from top to bottom, sponged on More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip classic ink. The moon was added by using temporary adhesive to affix a scrap punched out with the 1 1/4" circle punch before sponging. Once I was finished with my sponging, I removed the scrap to reveal the moon. The house was stamped with Basic Black craft ink and then heat embossed with SU!'s Detail Black Embossing Powder. The witch was stamped in Basic Black classic ink and the trees were stamped in Chocolate Chip classic ink. I layered my finished image on Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie cardstock and then affixed it to a card base of Elegant Eggplant. I really needed to get some birthday cards done and I DON'T need any halloween cards, but they're just so stinkin' fun to make!!!


Toodles,

Pet Sympathy

You thought I was NEVER coming back, didn't you? I have to say I was starting to wonder, myself! I made this card a couple of months ago (or more), but never got around to posting it. It's been about that long since I've done ANYTHING in my stamp/craft room. Over Labor Day weekend, though, I did a lot of cleaning and organizing and that included the stamp room. Needless to say, organizing the stamp room was just enough to get my crafty cravings started. I've made one lonely little card since then and will post it later.

Here are the deets on this card. Everything is from Stampin' Up! with the exception of the paw print stamp. I "painted" the chipboard heart with Real Red craft ink and let it dry before stamping the paw print in Chocolate Chip craft ink and heat embossing with Irridescent Ice. The card base is Kraft with layers of Real Red, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla. The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip classic ink. The ribbon is SU!'s Chocolate Chip taffeta.

Toodles,

Father's Day Cards

I'm a little late in getting these posted and, somehow, I managed to mail one of my Father's Day cards without getting a picture of it. It was completely different from any of these, so I'm extra disappointed about not being able to show it to you.

I used the retired East Coast Prep DSP and coordinating CS on these first four cards. These were for my brothers and I wanted each card to be different, although they all use the same paper and the same stamped image from "All Holidays".

This card uses the Brocade Background DSP and coordinating CS. I used the Big Shot Top Note die for the shaped panel and stamped the flourish from "Frames With A Flourish" in Chocolate Chip craft ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Using the Crop-A-Dile, I set jumbo eyelets in each corner. "Dad" was stamped in Versamark Ink with "Lovely Letters Alphabet" and heat embossed with gold EP. That layer was added to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Toodles!!

Card Organization

Over the years, I've made hundreds of cards. Unfortunately, they haven't all found homes yet and are just waiting to be sent to someone. Up until today they've been stored in a rubbermaid shoe box, in no particular order, and it always takes a while to find exactly what I'm looking for. Not anymore!! I made these mini magazine holders today that are the perfect size for a standard A2 card (5 1/2" X 4 1/4"). I used the "Bella Rose" DSP and coordinating cardstock. I've only got two of them completed, but plan to do several more so I'll have at least one for each card category. They're going to look just absolutely wondermous since they'll coordinate with the rest of my craft room decor!! Let me know what you think... I might have to schedule a class where we'll make these!

Toodles!