Stamp Giveaway

A lovely friend from church passed on her stamping supplies to me and I'd love to pass some onto you! Sooo... who wants to play Pay It Forward with me?

1. Take a look at these pics and if you'd like any of these stamps, send an email to me (go here to see my email address).


2. Tell which you'd like and where I should send them.


3. Put up a post on your blog, if you have one, and offer up some of your unloved craft supplies.

Feel free to send your readers here to grab up some of these stamps! I also have a few ink pads that I'll throw in (while supplies last).

Seasonal Series

I have a tree stamp called Tree Tile by Rubber Soul. I just love it. But, I've always used it in the same way -- StazOn on SU! Glossy White paper, inked in autumn colors with daubers. I've been very happy with the effect... until now.

Mothers and Daughters Creations challenged us to create a table decor item last week. After completing the challenge (and WAHOO! I won), I was inspired and went on to create an image in a frame. The next thing I knew, I was making a series.

At first glance, the series looks like it's about the seasons. And, that's true, that is part of it. But for me, it's about the treatment of the stamped image. I made an effort to treat the image differently in each season:

• Winter - Stamped in silver on vellum paper, embossed with white sparkly powder
  
• Spring - Stamped in brown on white paper, colored with watercolor pencils and blender pens, dotted with permanent marker and hole-punched green DP (which was then covered in sparkles!) WHEW!
  
• Summer - Stamped in black on navy paper, covered with hole-punched leaves of two shades of green, two DPs and colored vellum
  
• Fall - Stamped on glossy white paper, colored with inked daubers

I really enjoyed creating this... and to think, the frame only cost me $.33.

Life Gets In The Way

It is my heart's desire is to be on a craft design team. I've crafted for years and have often been told, "You should totally sell that!" But that's not me. I can create until the cows come home, but hit the pavement and promote my stuff? Let's just say I'm still stuck in the barn.

So I started this blog, designed the logo, edited the template code (I'm a web designer by trade) and became active in social media forums to learn the ropes... but what I haven't done is craft anything. I've been so busy online, I've lost sight of my passion. I create. It's my stress-reliever. It grounds me. But I haven't created anything (other than this blog and my online presence) in weeks.

True, life in general has been quite busy lately. Three kids, Halloween, Dad away two outta three weeks away for work, a trip to NYC... no wonder I haven't found the time to create. But excuses no more! Tonight's the night. Tonight, the children will be in by 8:30. I will be seated at my craft desk by 8:32 and I will craft.

Maybe if I put it out there for others to see, I'll really do it. What do you think?

The Making Memories Button Stickers Made Me Do It

I found a package of faux buttons by Making Memories at Target and I knew I had to have them. I didn't know I'd become obsessed!

As acrylic stickers, they add a layer of dimension to my cards and the colors (pale blue, chartreuse green, ecru and black) are so classy. The line is called "5th Avenue."

Here are the results of my binge...

On the left, I used Stampin' Up! chipboard petals covered in Anna Griffin paper and distressed with SU ink and daubers. Raffia is threaded through the "button" holes. The leaf is also SU chipboard, inked in craft ink and stamped with "unique" from SU's Everyday Flexible Phrases. The bottom ribbon is actually two strips of black and white ribbon sandwiching a strip of crimped black cardstock.

This simple card to the right includes a MM button sticker in chartreuse with raffia tied through, a black cardstock scalloped circle and a squiggle drawn by hand. The "friend" stamp is from SU's Noteworthy set. The card base is an SU Very Vanilla notecard... the whole thing is sweet as can be.

Below are more scalloped circles behind buttons to create flower shapes... can you tell I just purchased the SU scallop punch?

Simple Card Sets

Here are some of my card sets... I enjoy making them as gifts with the recipient in mind but also just making them to try new papers/stamps/accessories/etc.!