Please, Nobody Faint....

Yes, that is a card and indeed, I did stamp it this evening!!!! Hooray! 95% of my tools and supplies are in our newly remodeled room and although I was exhausted (didn't sleep well last night, youngest DD had speech and an IEP meeting today and Girl Scout troop met- we have 22 girls in our troop) I told DH that I just had to stamp! I totally missed out on Kim's contest over at Kraftin' Kimmie's Korner which I had every good intention entering (what do they say about a road and good intentions....) but I was determined to at least make Julee Tilman's drawing for her sketch challenge which ends August 31st at 10pm (MT)! Heck, I'm actually early for that one! Anyway, about my card...I had so many new goodies that had been laughing at me tauntingly due to my lack of time to stamp that it was very hard to decide what to use. I had been completely inspired several days (weeks?) back by a card that Trudee from Follow Your Bliss created using Lizzie Anne Designs' Au Naturale. Well, my brand new Copic markers had arrived on Monday so I just had to try them out! All I can say it "I love them!" Now you may have seen many wonderful tutorials by the celeb stampers on their blogs. These are very much worth reading! But these ladies are awesome at coloring images-forget just trying to stay in the lines, these gals are so.... good that the image doesn't even want to stay on the page! So what does this mean to an everyday stamping with the masses type girl like myself? Sometimes the tutorials are a little over my head artistically. Maybe somebody needs to right a tutorial in titled "Copics for Dummies!" All kidding aside, these are wonderful markers, the gals doing the tutorials are doing an awesome job and the bottom line is practice, practice, practice! After choosing my stamp set, I turned to all my new PP. Enlightened by Memory Box definitely stood out! I added some SU Chocolate Chip and White Shimmer paper and I was good to go. Okay, stamped and colored my main image, choose some Making Memories ribbon, and put the card together. I still needed an element in the right hand corner of the main image layer as required by the sketch. So I decided to experiment with some of my toys. First, I took some white mulberry paper and ran it through my 'bug to create a variety of white flower pieces. The mulberry paper actually cut very well, other than one stubborn string that I snipped with my scissors. Next, I am excited to say, I colored the mulberry cut outs with my Copic markers. It was much less messy than using reinkers! I layered my flower cut outs, stamped, colored, cut out and attached the pretty little dragonfly from Au Naturale and my element was complete! It sounds like a lot of steps but truly only took a few minutes to complete. Speaking of complete, as I said the new craft studio/ home school room is finished and most of my craft supplies are settled. Tomorrow we start moving the home school supplies in but I did get some photos of when it was mine, all mine!!!! I'll start sharing those over the weekend since I work each evening and will probably have NO time to stamp! Thanks to all for stopping by even when new projects were not posted. Take care!

Au Naturale card recipe

Stamps: Au Naturale by Lizzie Anne Designs

Paper: Enlightened by Memory Box, Chocolate Chip, Shimmer White, White mulberry

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Adirondack Espresso

Supplies: Making Memories ribbon, circle punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Copic markers, Copic Spica Glitter pen, antique brass brads, Cuttlebug, paper piercer

And the winner is.......

Cheryl !!!!!! from Engineered Expressions! I would like to thank everyone who stops by my blog and for the great organizational suggestions. My new room is really shaping up and I hope to have some new pics in the next couple of days. Hopefully, I will be back later this evening with something I've actually stamped- I'm having withdrawals! Take care!

Blog Candy

Okay, here is the pic of the goodies that I am "paying it forward" for my recent good fortune! I've added a pretty Prima that I bought yesterday at my LSS and will add, yet, some yummy ribbon (things are a bit scattered since I'm moving from one room to another so the ribbon is not pictured.) Just remember to add a comment to this post. Oh yeah! In all my excitement I forgot! I will be making the random drawing on Monday evening around 8:00 (central time.)

Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend! Take care!

Paying It Forward

I have been very blessed lately. We have completed the new craft studio/homeschool classroom (although it is currently empty), I was randomly selected for Beate's weekend sketch challenge a couple of weeks ago and besides getting some Hero Arts note cards that I had been admiring I got a card from no other than Beate herself (I'll share that soon) AND I was randomly chosen by Angel at Angelosity for some really yummy blog candy (I will share that soon, as well.) Due to my good fortune, I felt very strongly about "paying it forward." So I've been trying to come up with some real yummy goodies. I wanted to take a photo of the goodies but my camera batteries gave out on me tonight so I'll have to list them today and will add a photo tomorrow: A Bo Bunny 6x6 Bare Naked Binder, a selection of Autumn Leaves buttons, some of the new velvet flowers and a kraft coffee bag from Papertrey Ink, and of course, some Delicious ribbon! What do you do to be selected randomly for these fun items. Simply answer the following question as a comment to this post: What is your favorite craft storage solution? It can either be one that you have implemented or one that you've heard about and would like to try. As I organize my new room, I'd love to know what has worked for others to see if it would fit into my space! Now about my new space, I have to first brag about DH. He and my dad did a remarkable job with the laminent flooring! It is absolutely beautiful and even better than I ever imagined! It has taken a while to finish replacing the baseboards (ended up having to get new ones for 3 out of 4 walls), installing quarter round, filling in nail holes, caulking, patching and painting (life keeps getting in the way) but it was officially finished tonight (other than replacing the light fixture for the ceiling fan that is still in the box in our garage.) I did get a few pictures before the camera pooped out. I'm so excited to share them!

Rockin', Bumpered and Nice

Okay, over the past couple of weeks or so... I have been nominated/tagged for several fun blog titles that are being passed around. Now, if you know me, I am by no means a computer wiz! Anything "new" takes me a bit to figure out (although I do usually figure it out.) I was tickled with the nominations from my blogging friends but just have not had the time to see how to get these things on my blog. Now it may seem silly, but this had been weighing on me a bit because each and everyone that visits my blog means the world to me- I know how busy we all are- heck, we are all women, if not moms, we are the QUEENS of multi-tasking! I certainly did not want these 3 special gals to think that I was not pleased with their thoughtfulness. So...here goes:

My dear friend and scrapbooking soulmate, Chris from For Love of Paper, nominated me for Rockin' Girl Blogger. What can I say about Chris? First, she is the Princess of Distressing (only second to her mother, Belinda, who I would have to say it the Queen.) She and I met when I first started scrapbooking in 2005 and our personalities clicked right away! She moved to Austin, TX last year and I have missed her greatly. She and her mom are trying to encourage my hubby to transfer to Houston so we will at least be in the same state. Anyway, I am to pass on the nomination to 5 more bloggers. This is difficult since this has been going around for awhile and if you have already been nominated, I apologize but that only means your are "Rockin' 2 (squared- didn't know how to make it a little 2.)

1. Kim

2. Jules

3. Jill

4. Beckie

5. Bekah

Next, is from the sweet and talented Cheryl at Engineered Expressions. I was first drawn to Cheryl's blog by its title since my husband is an engineer. Cheryl is an engineer turned SAHM who comes up with some of the most creative ideas! I have a project of hers that I was fortunate enough to receive as a gift that I will be sharing in the near future! Cheryl tagged me for a game of Bumper Card. This is sort of a pay it forward where you send a card to someone and then tag 5 folks to do the same. For this I tag:

1. Chris

2. Becky

3. Linda

4. Kelly

5. Heather

Finally, this evening, the most awesome Jill from Inkgenious nominated me for this Nice Matters Award. Talk about nice! Jill is such a sweetheart! Not to mention incredible, she does not miss a beat with her blog- I think she probably reached for a stamp pad as soon as this last baby was born. Supermom for sure!!!! Anyway, I could have come up with many nominees for this award. Most certainly the bloggers nominated/tagged for the above 2 categories but I was trying to search through blogs to find folks who had not been nominated for the other 2 and it was no easy task! So the 5 gals I choose to nominate 5 more each are:

1. Cheryl
2. Sonya
3. Wendy
4. Hulda
5. Chris

If participating in these games is a hardship for you, my feelings will definitely not be hurt. These good tidings are sent with fun in mind and to let everyone know that I am thinking about them and appreciate all of their hard work on their projects and blog. To all, Take care!

Lizzie Anne Contest

Well, I actually entered my first contest. The ever talented Lindsey at Embellished sponsored a card contest using Lizzie Anne designs stamps. I absolutely love Lindsey's e-bay store. It is a super stop for beautiful paper craft supplies and of course Lizzie Anne Designs stamps. Although I didn't win, I was pleased that I participated. I actually feel that I gained some confidence simply in trying and will definitely do something like this again. Lindsey did an excellent job with choosing the winners (4 categories with a winner and runner up) and she certainly had some beautiful cards from which to choose. You can see all of the entries here. I wish a very big CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners! For my entry I used the set Jolies Fleurs. I started with a piece of Whisper White CS and made my own PP by stamping images from the set in Black Noir by Palette and water coloring them with ink from Classic Ink pads in Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, So Saffron, More Mustard, Certainly Celery and Old Olive. The actual focal flower was paper pieced using Memory Box Homespun PP which I purchased from Verve Visual. To make the center of the flower, I punched a circle out of red-line sticky tape and covered it with red mirco beads that I think I got at Michael's. The brads were covered in a similar fashion. The ribbon is May Arts and the slide is chipboard and Homespun PP cut out with my Cuttlebug. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Faux Ribbon. I am pleased with the card and with my first contest. Take care!

Love, elsie- Not so much

Okay, I'm not talking about Elsie Flanigan. She seems like a perfect jewel of a person and oh, so talented. I was given papers and rub-ons from her Roxie line for my lss (Once Upon a Scrapbook) design team. First, off I was a bit intimated by the funky style of this line. This is so ... out of my comfort zone. Now I'm certainly not afraid to try new things. In fact, as anyone that reads my blog, I love a bit of a challenge. But if something turns out really badly on my blog, I have control over whether to post it or not. This is not the case with design team layouts. It is there for everyone in the store to see. So I took a deep breath and did what every adult should do, I called up my up-line and fellow design team friend to whine. Now she says that I'll do fine- I have a whimsical style. Whimsical yes, funky not so sure... Anyway, here is the finished product. I'm really not set up to take pictures of a double page 12 x 12 layout so the pics are not the best. I have worked on it until I feel okay about it- couldn't turn it in otherwise. I am just hoping that next time arround I get a little something easier to work with. Take care!

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

A Real Hoot- Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #14

Between working weekends and our current home improvement projects, it has been a few weeks since I last participated in one of Beate John's weekend sketch challenges. I was so glad to need a card this week so I had an excuse to play 'cause I love Beate's layouts! This is the first card that I have made using my new stamps from Sideshow Stamps. If you are looking for an unique or different type of stamp, this is definitely a site to browse. They have a vast selection of all styles of images. After stamping the "too cute" owl and mushrooms with Palette Umber, I colored them using a blender pen and by making a little pool of ink on the lid of the SU Classic ink pads by squishing the pad before opening it. The sentiment is from the first set of Julee Tilman's Verve Visual company! I absolutely adore this set. Not only are the phrases super useful AND unique but they fit perfectly in the SU Word Window punch thus increasing the versatility of something I already own- a big WHOOPEE in my book! I punched with my SU scallop circle punch a piece right out of my matted PP to make a little scalloped frame for the mushrooms. You know, I had to sneak the scallops in somewhere! Speaking of the PP, it is some that I have had for a while from Carolee's Collection. I have loved the colors and designs of their papers for a while but it seemed that the ones I was attracted to had very small patterns, something that I don't use very much of in my scrapbook layouts. Since I've been making a lot of cards lately, I have been able to put those small patterns to good use! I have a couple of neat RAK's to share with everyone very soon (hopefully, in the next day or so.) I have been treated by 2 very talented and sweet gals. Until next time... Take care!

Owl Card recipe:

Stamps: Owl, Mushroom- Sideshow stamps, Sentiment- Verve Visual, Rough Texture Wheel
Paper: Bashful Blue, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, PP- Carolee's Collection
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Palette- Burnt Umber, Versamark
Accessories: Scallop punch, Word Window Punch, Earth Element brad, May Arts ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

No Time to Stamp

Very, very busy weekend between work and home improvement projects! I've been working on a card for my sister's birthday ALL weekend (with many interruptions.) Hopefully, it will be completed in the morning so I'll have something to share. Also, an update on the new studio: old, ugly "Dalmatian" (due to all the spots) carpet is out, beautiful new wood-like laminent is in! This was quite THE PROJECT. Due to structural issues, some drywall had to be replaced along with nearly all the baseboard. We picked out paint color this weekend- "Honeypot" by Waverly-and had it mixed in kid's room paint (as we paint the rooms in our house, I have been recovering the contractor grade paint with this more sturdy type, between that and my most favorite Mr. Clean eraser I can manage little finger prints quite well.) Then I chose a new ceiling fan to replace the current light fixture (I get so hot when my Ott-lite is on, it just couldn't be hormones)! Slowly but surely we're getting there. I can't wait to share the end results. But until then, Take care!

It Pays to be First

I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog and left such wonderful and creative comments regarding their methods of justifying craft purchases. I assure you that I've chuckled and taken notes quite a bit! Also, I want to recognize all you Paper Crafting Goddesses out there. I think the main plan to achieving this status is to get DH involved in a hobby- more precisely, a costly hobby- teeheehee. But you know in my book we are all Paper Crafting Goddesses because we are doing what we love! So with no further a due....

The winner for my blog candy is (drum roll, please) #1 "Aunt Scrappy!" Her "creative accounting" comment was:
I do my best NOT to show my DH what I've bought, I sneak into "the playroom" (I share a room with my son so he can play and I can do some crafts) with my bags....and he doesn't ask any questions ;) Unless I got a great deal on something, then I have to show it off!

Well, we all know that if something is purchased "on sale" then you are "saving money." "Aunt Scrappy" if you will please e-mail me your snail mail address, I'll have you goodies on their way pronto. Once again, thanks for all the comments. Wishing everyone a fun and blessed weekend and Take care!

Timely and Hilarious!

I just found this post on the awesome Ms. Julie Ebersole's blog regarding the rules of Stamping Acquisition. It is too funny and timely with my blog candy question regarding "creative accounting." If you've not already, I'd love to hear you ideas with a comment to the blog candy post! No time to stamp today, DD has a nasty case of Strep. (with high fever, vomiting, the works)! Hopefully, her antibiotic will kick in soon and no one else will come down with it! Take care!

Give me a "C"...Give me an "A"...Give me an "N"

Well, you know the rest. It spells CANDY! Blog candy, that is! To show my appreciation to those of you great folks that have taken the time to visit A Stampin' Good Time, I am offering some really yummy treats. Let's see... there is a 6 x 6 pad of BG Infuse, the Big Paisley stamp from Lizzie Anne's Simply Singles, 5 packs of clear stamps from Mike's, a Heidi Swapp paper distresser, some Prima Mini Me's, various Primas in SU Stampin' Store containers and a couple of yards of my most favorite ribbon from May Arts. How do you get an opportunity for such a scrumptious buffet of paper pleasing goodies? Well, post the answers to the following fun questions on the comment section of this post and I will randomly choose a winner this Friday, August 10th. Simple as eating pie (or candy, in this instance.)

My local stampin' and scrappin' buddies often joke about our "creative accounting" when it comes to making supply purchases and dealing with our DH. One trick is the "tools don't count" method (I actually began a discussion on this on a forum at SCS a while back.) It seems when our DH embark on a home improvement project, they always seem to fall short of having some tool or another that they need to complete the job. Of course, when figuring out the cost of the total project, they do not seem to take the cost of the tool in to account because it is not a consumable product AND they might (might being the important word) use it again someday, all the while "collecting" these tools in the garage, work shed, etc. So let's look at the world of paper crafting, we can justify many purchases in the same way. Yes, I have a trimmer but this trimmer cuts straighter or scalloped or is easier to transport- you get the picture. Scissors, stamps, mats, knives, punches, rulers- the list can go on and on. So here's the deal, our DH are mostly intelligent men. Eventually, they will catch on. So if you would, please share with me either a "creative accounting" idea of your own, a tall tale that you have told your DH/SO about something you have purchased or some similar story. Now if you do not have a story like this to tell, that's okay, you can just leave the comment "I am a paper crafting goddess!" It is always good practice to say positive things about ourselves! DH is saying I need more rest so for now, Take care!

A Surprise on the Way and a Busy Weekend

Hello, All! I've several friends call and ask "Are you okay, you've not made a blog post in a few days." Well, the long and short of it is this:

Friday- Woke to a busy day, grabbed a couple hours of sleep, went to work until 2am.

Saturday- Got home around 2:30 am, cut paper and prepared for Technique Club workshop, grabbed 1 1/2 hours sleep, Technique Club workshop until 2pm, grabbed 2 hours sleep, worked until 4:15 am

Sunday- Fell into bed around 5 am, had 3 hours fitful sleep, met in-laws 2 hours away in Chattanooga for lunch, drove home, placed workshop order to meet tax free weekend deadline, desperately awaiting early bedtime. 'Nuf said!

When I did finally get to take a peak on to my blog I noticed that "Wow," I'm up to over 2000 hits! I'd like to thank each and everyone of you who have honored me by stopping by my little creative corner of the world. To show my appreciation, I will be offering some great blog candy (can I say Basic Grey Infused 6 x 6 tablet for starts) with a post that will start tomorrow so be sure to stop by and see exactly what is up for grabs!

Now on to the card. I, obviously, have not had the time to make a new card in the last few days so I am posting a card that I made a while back. I was not overly thrilled with this card and still feel that it is missing something. I truly love the Fabulous Flowers set from the current SU catty and hope to make something with it real soon that is worthy of this wonderful set!

This is a pretty straight forward card. PP is Basic Grey Infused. Ribbon slide chipboard and cs are both cut with the Cuttlebug. The kids are both settled in for the night, so time for me to catch some zzzzzz! Take care!

Fabulous Friends Always card recipe:

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Well-Worn Words, Sentiment- PTI Faux Ribbon

Inks: Ruby Red, Basic Brown, Old Olive

Paper: Ruby Red, Naturals White, Chocolate Chip, BG Infuse

Supplies: Ticket corner punch, Antique Brass HHH, ribbon, Cuttlebug, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge