Design Team News

I bet you are expecting another one of those "Oh my goodness, I got accepted to a design team" newsflashes. IF you were expecting that, keep reading... this is NOT one of those. :) LOL

I have officially resigned from both design teams I was on.

Why? Well... I LOVE to stamp... and I do NOT like stress. I am self-imposing stresser-outer. How do you like that for a technical term? LOL I love sitting down, staring at my stamp drawers and choosing just the right stamp to make a card. I enjoy the whole process from choosing the card stock, ribbon and embellishments to addressing the card and sending it out to a friend to brighten her day. It makes me smile. :)

That is something I have not been able to do for some time. Being on a design team means that I have something on my "to do" list. I take my "to do" lists very seriously. It trumps all else... even if it means I don't get to have fun. The problem with this is if I don't feel like doing what is on my "to do" list, then I do nothing. The struggle of WANTING to stamp, but not wanting to use something I myself didn't purchase to stamp with causes me to not be able to stamp. That is NOT a good thing for someone whose hobby IS to stamp.

It was becoming a vicious circle of WANTING to stamp, feeling like I NEEDED to stamp something with stamps I had been sent and going back to stamping NOTHING or feeling guilt for stamping something other than what was on my "to do" list. The 2 companies I was on a DT for are great companies run by GREAT ladies, but I was left feeling stressed by the whole thing.

I was forced to take a long look at myself, my stamping habits and my heart. In the end, I decided that I was not on the design teams for the right reasons, and that the design teams I was on, were not right for me.

As soon as the e-mails were sent and I was able to release my inner "to do" list, I felt SO much better.

Now, I can get back to stamping for me. I will use what I buy and I will buy what I choose. :) I will share the things with you all that I absolutely LOVE and *hopefully* get back to ENJOYING stamping fully without being overwhelmed. I will be a happier, healthier stamper for it. :) LOL

What does that mean for the future? Will I ever be on a design team again? I hope to be. But, it needs to be the right fit for me. I know myself as a stamper and as a person. I am confident in my decision, but I am open to whatever comes! :)

In the meantime, I will continue to make samples for and teach classes at the local stamp store. :) I will continue to buy fun stamps from all the companies that I love. Most importantly, I will stamp MORE... and the stamping I do will be greatly enjoyed! :)

Pink, Black and DIRTY!

It's time for another Dirty Dozen Past and Present Challenge. All Dirty Girls were invited to a 2nd challenge. I *think* this will be a monthly challenge played on the 20th of each month. The challenge guidelines for this month are:

• Challenge Focus: Penguins (your main image must be or include a penguin)


• Required Element: "Ice" - anything icy - glitter, crystals, etc.


• Restricted Element: No use of the color BLUE anywhere on your project or card.

I had a heck of a time getting a good photo that captured all of my "ice" on the card. I uploaded several shots so you could see all the details. :)

Since I had some Elzybells penguins that hadn't seen ink I decided I needed to use one of them. I have the juggling penguin and the penguin standing in the snow. I wanted to use the cute Elzybells igloo, so I decided on the penguin that was looking to the side, so she could look at her home. :) Both images are stamped in Stazon black and colored in with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I also used Spica glitter pens to color in portions of the penguin as well as the Christmas tree. I started out intending to use only pink, black, white and grey, but I can't imagine using any of those colors to color in the Christmas tree, so I sacrificed and used my Spica olive glitter pen to color it in. The ornaments and tree topper star are Spica pink glitter pen. I used liquid applique topped with glitter prior to heating for the snow. I masked the igloo and stamped SU polka dot BG over it with 2nd generation going grey classic ink. The BG on the Basic Grey piece is also 2nd generation going grey classic ink as well as "falling snowflake" stamped with versamark. I used some simple stitching around a couple of the layers. I was able to throw a small piece of 1 inch wide pink satin ribbon. YAY I finished it off with a couple Swarovski crystals in the center of the snowflakes falling around Mrs. Penguin and some crystal brads in the corner of the largest card panel. This card has lots of dimension.

To see my card in my gallery on SCS click here.

To see all the dirty girl's penguin challenge cards click here.

Stamps: Elzybells, Polka Dot

Paper: basic black, basic grey, pink passion, Papertrey white

Ink: Stazon black, going grey, Versamark

Accessories: Spica glitter pens, dazzling diamonds, liquid applique, Swarovski crystals, crystal brads, Janome sewing machine, dimensionals, Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, stump, crystal effects, pink May Arts satin ribbon

YAY for Feedblitz!

YAY! Thank you so much to Feedblitz customer support for helping me sort out the problem. My Feedblitz is now fixed and will be going out as scheduled. :) The awesome customer service agent forced out the past 9 articles that hadn't gone out. Sorry to blast you with them, but I didn't want you to miss them. :)

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you enjoy my Christmas goodies. :)

Hugs!

Holiday M&Ms

This is a simple project I came up with for some Christmas goodies. I had been given these long, skinny bags by a friend over a year ago to be used with Pixie Sticks, but thought they would make great M&Ms tubes. :) I made a paper funnel to help me get the M&Ms in the bags. Then I tied it off with red grosgrain ribbon. Before making the "knot" in the ribbon, I laid a piece of silver stretchy cord over the tied area so that it would be "in" the knot. Then, I attached a tag that I had placed an eyelet in with the silver cord by tying it, then snipping off the ends. This project was very simple and I was able to make quite a few while watching the Survivor finale on Sunday night. I would have made more, but I ran out of bags. LOL

Stamps: Papertrey Holiday Treats

Ink: Glorious Green, Real Red

Paper: Glorious Green, Real Red, Green Galore, SU Whisper White

Accessories: brads, eyelet, silver cord, red grosgrain ribbon, bags, M&Ms, various circle punches

Peppermint Patty Cowboys

What does a 3 hour Dallas Cowboys football game have to do with Peppermint Patties? I played with them during the entire game and then some. LOL I fell in love with the little boxes Cambria Turnbow made in September for Halloween. I printed out her tutorial and made a mental note to get right on that for Halloween goodies. LOL Clearly, that didn't happen, but I DID make some for Christmas goodies. YAY! These are so darn cute! I was making that cooing, squealing baby sound when I made them. *snicker* They are so tiny and cute. I managed to get 14 done and would have made a couple more, but I ran out of Peppermint Patties. THAT is why I hoard. Since when do I buy one of something? I ransacked my entire candy "collection" and had only bought ONE bag. *grrrr*

I followed Cambria's directions minus the scalloped edging. I also decided to make my patterned paper 1/8 inch smaller (on both width and length) than the area I was adhering it to. It drives me crazy when it hangs over the edge, so I decided matting would be best. :) No need to cause myself undue stress right? LOL The dimensions of my patterned paper pieces is 1 7/8 X 1 3/8 in case you decide to make any of these cuties. My York Peppermint Patties must have been fatter, because I could only fit 3 in my little boxes. I also only decorated the top mint, but I still sandwiched the other patties in coordinating card stock. Otherwise, they will move around in your box and look funky. LOL

Stamps: Papertrey Holiday Treats

Ink: old olive, real red

Paper: SU Dashing patterned paper, river rock, real red, old olive

Accessories: pewter brads, jumbo pewter brads, ribbon, dimensionals, Spica clear glitter pen, scalloped circle punches, smooth circle punch, dimensionals, York Peppermint Patties

Special thanks to Lorie who told me how to make a click-able link without having the big ol' address with it. LOL I know how to do it on SCS, but it is a little different on Blogger. :) She told me to type the word(s) I want to use, THEN click the little "world" and paste the link into it. On SCS you click the world *first* THEN type the word. :) So THANK YOU for helping me out! I appreciate it! :)

Prima Bucket

I had saved an empty Prima bucket that held flowers in it. I knew I wanted to use it one day and that day finally came last week when I was working on my Christmas goodies. :) I set up a table in the living room in front of the big screen and went to my "alterables" area and grabbed several things to decorate and fill with candy. This was one of the more involved projects I worked on. I inserted paper into the clear bucket and did not apply adhesive or anything. It kind of springs in the inside of the tin and once you place the candy in, there is no need for adhesive. Then I stamped a label and matted it with some navy card stock. I sewed the matted image onto a strip of patterned paper that I adhered around the outside of the can. I also added some brads, a snowflake punch out and a Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shape. Then, I pierced through the actually bucket with my paper piercer to add another Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shape. I didn't like how everything was lined up in the center and wanted to add a little something off to one. side.

For the lid, I stamped another label and then layered some circles and scalloped circles. I added a snowflake punch and lots of brads. For the record, it doesn't hurt me to use lots of brads. I am actually excited to use them! That means I have less to hoard! LOL I used some dimensionals between some of the layers. I use a HUGE amount of dimensionals on my cards and projects! To finish it off I tied 2 simple knotted bows on either side of the handle with some Stamping Up white taffeta ribbon. This was filled with wintergreen Life Savers.

AFTER I took this photo I noticed that the top layer of the front label was coming up. grrrrrr Mono adhesive does not fare well on things that bend. I had initially planned to sew that layer, so I didn't use red tape. I am happy to report that after taking this picture I used some glue dots to secure the side edges. LOL You know, that type of thing drives me crazy! Crisis averted!

Stay tuned for the cute little boxes ala Cambria Turnbow I made yesterday while watching the Dallas Cowboys lose. *sniff sniff*

I also have some fun M&M treats to share.

Feedblitz

I don't think my feedblitz is working for some reason. I don't recall receiving the newsletter for any of my last blog entries. This is a test. LOL

If you get this through feedblitz and *haven't* received any newsletters recently, then check out my blog. I have lots of new stuff added this past week.

Hugs! Have a GREAT day!

Advent Calendar

Ummmmmm, what was I thinking? LOL This thing took me FORVER to complete. It's a little overwhelming with all the steps, plus I added a few. LOL Oh ya, I remember what I was thinking... these things are SO DARN adorable! :) I wanted a cute calendar for my kids to use in the coming years. Unfortunately, I didn't finish it until 10 days til Christmas so next year I will have some very cute ideas for the insides of the tins. This year, I opted for simple candy in each one. I had already gotten my daughters a Littlest Pet Shop advent calendar anyway, so I don't feel *as* guilty for not getting it done in a timely manner. LOL

I followed the directions that the fabulous Beate posted here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/advent_calendar/

I used the same patterned paper and basic idea that she did. I added a couple details:

• I sewed each of the 24 squares together


• I sewed the panel at the top together


• I used Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale alphabet for my letters and numbers


• I used Prima flowers with a clear button center for the sides of the title


• I used silver brads in the corner of each square and the title

Other than that, everything is exactly the same. It does take quite a few man hours. :) There are lots of steps involved. None of them are *hard*, but I had stampers ADD and would work a little and them move on to something else. LOL

Hint: to make my red tape more sticky, I heated it prior to sticking my finished pieces on the canvas. They didn't seem to stick well without doing that first.

If I had to do it over again, I would make it again though. I really like it. If you haven't made one yet it's not too late! Just work on it now for next year. :)

I'm off to watch the Dallas Cowboys football game and work on some more Christmas gifties. :) I have a table set up in front of the big screen TV, so I should be able to get a lot done in the 3 hours that the game will be on. :)

Have a great rest of the weekend.

One more thing: have any of you been getting your feedblitz updates from my blog. I am not sure, but I don't think they have been going out. Thanks for letting me know.

One more, one more thing: LOL I would like to make a click-able link that does not look like a link KWIM? Can any of you give me directions for that? I want it to say something instead of being the long link. I can do it on SCS, but here on my blog, I am finding it more difficult. LOL Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

More Christmas Tins

These are the 4 oz tins from specialty bottle available here: http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=47 . They are only $.68 each and are nice and small, so you can't fit a whole lot in there. That makes for a very inexpensive gift! :)

To make these tins, I cut a piece of patterned paper to 1/2 inch X 7.5 inches (I think lol). I used red tape to stick it to the tin. Then, using my Papertrey Holiday Treats set, I stamped the round label and inner image. I punched that and matted it with various circle punches (both scalloped and smooth). On some I added a brad or some other simple embellishment. I filled the tin with candy, tied it closed with some 1 inch May Arts satin ribbon (from last share) and tied the tag to it with silver elastic cord. To get to the candy, all the recipient needs to do is slip off the ribbon. :) I have plenty of these made to give to friends, family and teachers. :) YAY

New AMuse Stamps

Check out my new AMuse stamps! :) They are SO adorable. So far, all I have done is admire them. LOL I need to get stamping, but right now I am concentrating on my Christmas goodies so I can have gifts to give away!

I have some more posts coming with even more Christmas goodies. :)

Gift Tin Trio

This a trio of tins I made for Christmas gifts. I used the same papers and tags on all 3.

I covered the tins with paper, filled them with candy (wintergreen life savers), tied ribbon around them and then tied on a tag with some silver cord.

These were added to my stash of gifts for teachers, friends and family.

Stamps: Papertrey holiday treats, itty bitty backgrounds SU

Ink: not quite navy, bashful blue

Paper: Basic Grey patterned paper, bashful blue, not quite navy, papertrey white

Accessories: circle punches, Heidi swapp snowflake ghost shape, silver brads, scalloped punch, SU taffeta ribbon, May Arts satin ribbon, tiny snowflake punch, paper piercer, horizontal slot punch, dimensionals

Nuggets in a Jar

I had lots of nuggets with gold wrappers and NO idea what to do with. I had lots of silver nugget tins, but putting gold wrapped nuggets into a silver tin was out of the question for me, so I decided to try different packaging. I went and bought pint sized mason jars and placed the nuggets in the jar. I placed them carefully and deliberately so that all the labels were facing out.

I made a label for the jar and added a Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shape. Some gold brads finished off the label. Then I stamped a snowflake on bashful blue card stock and punched it out with my scalloped punch. I added stickles to each "dot" on the snowflake and let it dry over night. The punched piece was added to the lid to cover the branding on the lid. The ribbon was not straight when I photographed this and it is driving me crazy, but I hope you will forgive the crooked ribbon and imagine it is straight. LOL

Stamps: Papertrey Holiday Treats http://www.papertreyink.com/stamps_holidaytreats.html

Ink: Colorbox chalk ink (navy)

Card stock: Papertrey white, bashful blue, night of navy

Accessories: May Arts polka dot organdy, stickles, gold brads, Heidi swapp ghost shape snowflake, Janome sewing machine, Hershey's nuggets, mason jar, address labels

I plan to use these for little gifts throughout the holiday season. I have already given one away to the LSS owner, Jean during the Christmas party. :)

Have a great day and happy stamping!

I am off to be scientific with my daughter, Bailey's 4th grade class. I am going to teach them about hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances and we will play with some cool stuff I bought from an online teacher resource site. :)

We will be playing with snow polymer: http://www.teachersource.com/Chemistry/HydrophilicHydrophobicPolymers/InstantSnowPolymer.aspx

Diaper polymer:

http://www.teachersource.com/Chemistry/HydrophilicHydrophobicPolymers/SodiumPolyacrylateDiaperPolymer.aspx

and magic sand:

http://www.teachersource.com/Chemistry/HydrophilicHydrophobicPolymers/MagicSand.aspx

After my kids went to bed last night, my husband, brother and I played with all of it and it is REALLY cool. I had already worked with the two polymers last year with the girl's classes, so I needed to add something else this year. I think the magic sand will go over well. I was pretty amazed at it's properties!

Christmas Gift Stamping

I have been stamping this past week. :) I needed to have some Christmas gifts on hand and went to work getting that done this past week. I have had a major cold and instead of laying around, I set up a table in the living room and have been working in there and watching lots of movies and TV while I am working. LOL Multitasking is a wonderful thing! LOL

Here are a couple things I have made. :)

The first item is a tea tin I purchased from: http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=329

I covered the tin with patterned paper and adhered a label I made. It's very simple. I filled it with holiday colored M&Ms.

The second item is a little candy cane tag I made. It was VERY simple. I plan to give them to my girls classes for Christmas treats. I finished 24 of them yesterday at a crop at the LSS. I used an AMuse sentiment and a candy cane stamp from SU.

I'll share more of my holiday goodies in the days to come. :)

I hope you are having a great day!

Pink Sparkle

This is the final card in the my pink and sparkly snow-woman series. :) It's very similar to the card yesterday, but I changed up the snow, removed the sentiment, added sparkle to the snowflake and jazzed it up a bit more. :)

The clear Heidi Swapp was inked in Versamark and then embossed in pink glittery EP (Judikins I think). YES, you can emboss those clear ghost shapes, just keep the embossing gun moving so you don't make it shrivel up. :)

I stamped bigger snowflake dots on this card and added an embossed frame with my Nestabilities. :) I used crazy stitching, straight stitching and zig zag stitching. I LOVE stitching. LOL

I used an aquapainter and reinkers to color the snow-woman. :)

I have seen that the little snow(man/woman) set is sold out right now, but there is another shipment getting to her on December 14th. Again, I am not affiliated with this company, just passing along the info. :)

If you would like to buy this set: http://www.safesecurestore.com/stores/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=4x5055&Category_Code=&Store_Code=firecrackerdesignsbypamela

Coupon code for $5 off of $10 purchase: 5$OFF

Stamps: firecracker designs snowman set, SU polka dot
Paper: papertrey white, pretty in pink
Ink: pretty in pink, stazon black, pumpkin, bordering blue
Accessories: cuttlebug embossing folder, quickie glue pen, pink art institute glitter, fuzzy brad, Janome sewing machine, Heidi swapp snowflake ghost shape, ruffled ribbon, Nestabilities

Snowman in the Snow

Here is another card in my snow-woman series. :)

I am just loving this little snow-woman. SHE is so cute. :)

My inspiration behind this card was the cute little banners that Jenn Balcer has been making. I initially wanted to make it into a pennant banner, but that was *not* working out, so she is holding a scalloped banner instead. I actually used scalloped scissors in it, which is something I rarely do. LOL It's just a me thing. LOL I drew the line for the ground (yay me for drawing ANYTHING). The snow stamp is from CHF (Cornish Heritage Farm). My daughter, Bailey pointed out that this card does not have ribbon on it. *GASP* She said it was least favorite of the 3 I stamped. *EEK* My girl is being trained well I guess. LOL Her favorite of the 3 will be posted next time. :) I am posting them in the order that I stamped them.

Card details:

Stamps: firecracker designs snowman set, CHF backgrounder

Paper: papertrey white, pretty in pink

Ink: pretty in pink, stazon black, pumpkin

Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, stumps, cuttlebug embossing folder, Spica clear pen, quickie glue pen, pink art institute glitter, fuzzy brad, Janome sewing machine

Sky Falling Snowman

I was browsing SCS the other day and came across a thread about a cute snowman stamp that someone was in love with. Of course I *had* to click on it, and then I *had* to click on the link... and then I *had* to buy this adorable snowman set with his carrot nose up in the air! :)

Isn't SHE cute? LOL I gave her a glittery pink polka dot scarf and some fuzzy pink brads for her belly. :)

If you would like to buy this set, click here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/738642?cat=500&ppuser=11291 . From the time I ordered, I received the set in 2 days! Talk about instant gratification! I also have a coupon code for $5 off any purchase of $10 or more: 5$OFF . Keep in mind these are unmounted stamps and come just as a rubber sheet. You can use whatever mounting method you like. I stick mine to cling foam and then trim them and put them into CD cases. :) I got two sets with shipping for under $18. Not bad! :) Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this company, just passing on the deal I got. LOL

Card info:

Stamps: firecracker designs snowman set
Paper: papertrey white, pretty in pink
Ink: pretty in pink, stazon black, pumpkin
Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, stumps, cuttlebug embossing folder, ruffled ribbon, Spica clear pen, quickie glue pen, pink art institute glitter, Nestabilities, diamond dust, crystal effects, fuzzy brads, Janome sewing machine