Back in Bloggin' Business!!!!

Yes, it's ME!! Contrary to popular belief I didn't fall of the face of the earth nor have I become a groupie stalking the homes of some of my favorite stampers. I have, in fact, been waiting patiently for DH to finish building our new computer and here it is... It works wonderfully and is oh, so FAST. I noticed while I was gone, so many folks continued to stop by and check on my blog that I have moved past 5000 visits. I want to wish everyone a great big thanks for stopping by! To show my appreciation and to celebrate my own little milestones, I will be offering some most yummie blog goodies this coming Monday so be sure to stop by. While I've been away I have been quite busy and have so much to share with y'all! I decided as my first post back I would have to show you the name frame that I made as a gift for my Great-Niece's baptism (yes, I know you are thinking-"She's much too young to be a GREAT aunt.") Anyway, this is a little name frame that I put together for her. This is one of my favorite personalized altered gifts to make. They are truly personalized yet not too difficult or time consuming (and time gets more precious each day) to make. Just a few details about this. First, the stamp set featured is SU Garden Whimsy. I'm so glad this set didn't retire! I have found so many versatile uses for it from cards to scrapbook pages to home decor items such as this. The butterflies on the top of the paper were first stamped with classic ink pads, then I stamped then again with Versamark on vellum and heat embossed with clear EP. I then cut the embossed images out and adhered them with a tiny amount of Sakura Quikie glue pen applied only to there bodies. It's hard to see in the photo but if gives the wing a 3-D look. Do you see the tiny little ladybug charm hanging from the "K." I made that myself by stamping the ladybug from the stamp set in black Stazon on shrink plastic, punched it out with the Scalloped Circle punch, then punched a hole in the top with a standard hole punch. Finally, I stuck that baby in the oven for a couple of minutes, let it cool, added a silver ring and Voila! a coordinating charm! Has SU ever carried shrink plastic? I think it is too neat! Well, that's all I have for this post but please remember to stop by Monday (I have to work Sunday at the ER) to see how we are going to Celebrate! It's ALWAYS a Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Recipe for Name Frame:

Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Big Deal Alphabet

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, PP Cutie Pie, Vellum

Ink: So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, black Stazon, Stampin' Write markers Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Chipboard "K"- unk, Magic Maters, Blue Gingham ribbon, Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals, shrink plastic, Scallop Circle punch, standard office punch, silver brads, Circle Rhinestones in Ice, spiral clip- unk., Clear EP, Stampin' Dimensionals

Techniques: Heat Embossing