Answer Hello to Sketch Challenge

Here is my first answer to Sketch Challenge 127 at SCS. I really wanted to play with some of the stamps from the Spring Mini before they get pushed aside for the new rubbah! Since we won't know if these will make the BIG book until January '08, I'll be tucking these sets away for a little bit. Doodle Alphabet will probably stay out 'cause I love my alphabets for scrapbook pages. Not quite sure about this card. It came together real quickly which was good but it's not falling into my comfort zone. I do like the way the Cranberry Crisp accentuates the colors in the Petals & Paisleys DP and you cannot see it in the pic but the 3 Pretty in Pink paisleys at the bottom of the card are cut out to make scallops. I will definitely try that idea again but this time make sure that is makes more of a statement. I hand doodled around the "hello" panel but it is difficult to see with this picture- operator difficulties this late at night *wink.* I DO like the sketch and hopefully, will have time to use it again tomorrow. I've already got an idea brewing! Take care!

Doodle-Dots Card Recipe

Stamps: Doodle Alphabet, Polka Dots & Paisley, EDFP
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Cranberry Crisp, Cool Caribbean, DP Petals & Paisleys
Ink: Basic Black, Cranberry Crisp, Cool Caribbean, Stampin' Write Markers Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Quickutz (file folder tag), Micron Black Pen, stitched Cranberry Crisp ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Marvy Uchida Paper Trimming Buddy- scalloped blade
Techniques: doodling

Talk about Being Enabled!

Today I made a visit to a new store that has opened in a small town not too far from us called WiseScrappers. It is a combination scrapbook and homeschool supply store. Do you think DH will wonder why we are using so many more homeschool supplies this year? TeeHeeHee!!

She's Got Cattitude!!!!

I've been busy, busy today. While Rachel was taking her nap, I put the finishing touches on 1 card for our Technique Club meeting this Saturday, then completely made another one for this same event. Pictures have been taken and saved but I will wait to upload them to my blog so I won't spoil the surprise for anyone in the club. I just received my first order from The Cat's Pajamas and I am so loving this little Kitty! We have a black cat known around these parts as Pepper Kitty or just Pepper for short. Side note: Kids come up with some of the dangest names for pets. Growing up my younger sister named a cat "Goose." I have no idea where that came from but out of the 3 of us she is the most creative and artistically talented. Anyway, I made this little card for my friend's, Susan, birthday. She is not a cat person (due to allergies) but they do have a pool in their backyard and I thought the sentiments were so appropriate for a mother of 4 children ages 3-10. I used this same layout, color scheme etc. to create a thank-you card but I used the Stampendous bee images instead. I liked the bee card better but will wait to post it until the recipient has a chance to open it. Well, it's "Take your Child to Work Day" at NASA tomorrow so Dan is taking Mary Elizabeth with him. That means I will have NO help with the Wild Child! Better wrap this up so that I will have plenty of strength to cope! Take care!

Recipe for Relaxing Card
Stamps: Relaxing and So Much to Do- The Cat's Pajamas, Riveting
Paper: Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Glorious Green, PP Pocket Full of Posies DCWV
Ink: Basic Black, Stampin' Write Markers- Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Glorious Green, Barely Banana
Accessories: scalloped circle punches, Sakura clear Stardust pen, Cuttlebug, sequins- Doodlebug Designs, ribbon- Michael's, rhinestone-Heidi Swapp
Difficulty (1-Easy 5-Advanced): 1

10 Reasons

I received this from my up-line, Beckie, and thought is was pretty cute. #9 is a concern that I had never thought of before but should be seriously considered!!!!


10 Reasons to buy Stamps (SU demo wrote this author unknown)
1. It helps keep the economy going. It is our patriotic duty to support rubber farmers, lumber mills, rubber stamp retailers and catalog distributors ( addedum- not to mention UPS.)
2. It is less expensive and more fun that psychiatric care.
3. I'm participating in a contest- The one who dies with the most rubber stamps wins.
4. They keep without refrigeration, you don't have to cook them to enjoy them, you never have
to feed them, change them, wipe their noses or walk them.
5. Because I'm worth it.
6. When the Big Earthquake comes, all the rubber stamp shops might be swallowed into the
ground and never be seen again.
7. Stress from dealing with the Rubber Stamp Control Officer (DH) made me do it.
8. It's not immoral, illegal, or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul, and makes me
feel good.
9. Buy rubber stamps now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your
shopping expeditions.
10. A stamp a day is all the rubber stamp shops of America ask.

And the Winner Is....

Lucky number 8. Cheryl at Engineered Expressions wrote:

Hi! Can you believe that I don't have any of the scalloped punches? I want the circle, square, and oval in both the mega and giga size. Then I want to get the Gina K stamps that go along with them. Sometimes being a SAHM with no income can be a drag when you want things! Congrats on getting the punches...and a good deal!!Cheryl KVD

I know what you mean about being a SAHM with no income! Until recently, I was in the very same boat, but in January I began working again as a nurse in our local Emergency Room about 36 hours a month. I only work evenings and weekends when my husband (also, an engineer) is home with the girls. This has worked out so well for my family. Nursing can be hard work, especially in the ER, but the flexibility is great! Since it just hurts my heart to see a fellow punch enthusiast to go without, please e-mail me your 6 fav SU colors and I'll add some punched images of those colors, as well, as some neutrals to go with your blog candy. Also, please send me your mailing address so that I can get those in the mail next week! To all- Take care!

To Bee or not to Bee- TeeHeeHee

That was my question. When you get too many wonderful supplies, treasures if you will, the down side is what to play with first?!? My good friend, Dianne, and I went runnin' around today and stopped at both the lss and then Hobby Lobby. There was so.... much to choose from. At The Rubber Stamp Lady my Stampendous Bees had finally arrived! Other folks were enviously eyeballing those, I'll tell ya! They had, also, received several stamps from the Changito collection (cute little monkey that has been showing up on Beate's blog lately) and since I have my own little monkey, aka Rachel, at home, one of those little guys had to come home with me, too! Once Upon a Scrapbook had just received the new Funky Vintage lines Lizzie and Ruby from MM and, boy, are the colors yummy. I had to have some of the papers and the ribbons from the Lizzie line, along with the paints that go with them. Oddly enough the paint colors remind me very much of the new In Colors that SU will be releasing the first of July- hummm, pretty neat. My pics not the best but if you get a chance to see them up close and personal just see what you think.

So picture this, Hubby and oldest daughter are at the driving range, youngest daughter is off to bed and here I am with time for myself- YAHOO! I have one thing on my agenda- make a card for Beate's weekend sketch challenge using my new goods. I'm sitting there looking at everything. Oh, I forgot to mention, when I got home a box was waiting for me from Papertrey Ink with my new Green Thumb set, a Noir Palette ink pad, and some of their white CS that I've been hearing so much about! Can you see my dilemma? Any empathy out there- probably not!*wink* For some reason, my little Bee Daisy was calling me so I gave it a go. I had so... much fun making this card. I used my new MM papers & ribbons and even attempted to shadow my image for the first time. This is definitely going to take some practice. I used my Going Gray marker and a blender pen which I think I can eventually get the hang of (I want to be like Julee Tillman when I grow up, her shadows are super.) I really played around with the 3 images down the left hand side of the card. I tried different buttons, and button with ribbons . I finally remembered that I had a Quickutz die that resembled the daisy the bee is carrying so I cut them out using Regal Rose and So Saffron, gave them a coat of a Sakura Glaze pen and this is the results. What a fun sketch to play with. Well, it's getting late so I'd better say Take care!

Recipe for Bee Daisy card

Stamps: Stampendous- Bee Daisy, Papertrey Ink- Little Lady

Paper: Cool Caribbean, Really Rusy, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, White from Papertrey Ink, PP-MM Funky Vintage Lizzie

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Stampin' Write markers in Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Rose Red, Going Gray

Supplies- scalloped punches, ribbon- MM Funky Vintage Lizzie, Quickutz, Sakura pens- clear Glaze and clear Stardust, blender pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Pocket Fun

Finally, after a night of drying, I'm able to finish my Ways to Use It challenge card. I'm not overly thrilled with it but I'm ready to move on. I'm hoping to receiving some new goodies today via snail mail or Mr. Brown so I'm ready to play! Yesterday's challenge was to use one of the retiring sets from SU and I chose Pocket Fun. Although not a new set to SU, it is a new set to me and a birthday gift from my dear friend, Chris, so this is one set that I am definitely keeping! The black and white ribbon is May Arts and one that I'm loving these days! I've purchased it at a lss, initially, then I ordered more- a bit more, from StarLit Studios. I may need to see about getting a whole spool for this one! Take care!

Pocket Fun Card Recipe

Stamps: Pocket Fun

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Palette o Prints

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Rose Red, More Mustard, Old Olive- I used the last 2 inks in place of So Saffron and Certainly Celery because they show up better on WW

Supplies: Earth Elements brads, May Arts ribbon, Ribbon Originals Sweet Shop, corner rounder, Stickles, Sakura clear Stardust pen