SOS! Challenge #2: Oldest Stamp!

 At Shopping Our Stash we are on Challenge #2,  and Carla is asking us to use our oldest stamp. Sit back and relax while I reminisce and try to entertain you with a card from my past.  (Feel free to LOL.)

So here you are looking at the very first card I ever made!  (Thanks to my friend Rennae for saving this beauty.    When she decided stamping wasn't for her, she gave me her stamps and supplies!  And BTW - her stamps and supplies all fit into one paper grocery sack!)

OMG!  The thought just came to me!  Do you think this first card of mine card had any influence on her decision not to pursue stamping!?!  Sheesh!  LOL!

I had used these stamps to make Christmas gift tags and then decided to make cards too.

This card was made when:

• all of my stamps and supplies fit in a single shoebox!
• before I owned embossing powders, markers, DSP, embellishments, paper cutters, and most other "need to have/want/impulse-buying" tools! 

•  I used a pencil, ruler, and scissor to cut my card stock in half! (I traced a bowl on this card to get the curved edge!)

•  I used to stamp on the insides of my cards and sign them, as opposed to the post-its I now use! (My kids signed this card oh so many years ago!)

The stamps are from Hero Arts and SU.  Looks like I had a set of colored pencils and red and green ink pads!  I did know how to mask, but I didn't know much else about the finer art of card-making!  I didn't have a scoring tool, so the top fold of this card is pretty ragged!  In place of DSP, I used plaid ribbon on the inside edge!

 Are you ready?

Here is my updated version of the above card.  Hmmm, cutting and coloring tools, DSP,and embellishments seem to have been added to my repertoire since card number one!  No stamping on the inside, but DSP was used in place of wide ribbon!

So as they used to say in an old commercial:  "you've come a long way baby!"

Bonus!  This card also fits the challenge for jingle belles this week!

Off to stamp some more!

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge #18

 It's "Anything Goes" for our challenge at Party Time Tuesdays this week!

This has proven to be a very popular challenge at PTT, so I hope you will join in and share your creations with us!

My card uses a fun image from Kenny K, our sponsor for the month of May!  I was also inspired by a talented stamper, Julie,  at Stamps & Taxes.  We've never met, not even online, but I sure do love her blog and talents.  She's a MN gal, so what's not to love!  And I do love how she makes the most gorgeous creations without coloring in  images!  Really!  Her cards turn out so fantastic!   Check out her blog!

Now, I'm not sure I was able to pull off leaving the image uncolored on my card, but I sure did try!


wish BIG:
Image:  Kenny K
Stamps:  SU: Word Play
Paper:  PTI white, Gina K PL white, SU DSP: Jersey Shore
Ink:  SU markers: Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue 
Misc:  ribbon, resin flower, Baker's Twine, Tag punch, Nesties: Labels Four
Off to stamp some more!

It's Another Stamps R Us Challenge!

 Our challenge these next two weeks at Stamps R Us is Pets R Us!  The cute little guy on my card would surely become a member of our family in a heartbeat, if DH would give the nod!  This scruffy little fellow is from our sponsor K 'n K Designs.  Isn't he sweet?  A real smile-maker!

Show us your card creations at Stamp R Us of your real/imaginary/or pet of your dreams!

Pets R Us:
Images:  K 'n K Designs
Paper:  PTI white, Gina K PL white, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip,  DSP: Autumn Vine Misc:  ribbon, clear glaze pen, dimensionals                                                                   
Off to stamp some more!

Square Pop-up!

Let me begin by saying I have way too much of this SU Delicate Dots DSP.   (An SU SAB item from a couple of years ago.) More than I can use in my lifetime, but I'm going to give it my best try!

Today's card is a Square Pop-up card. You can find how to make this card here.  (Oops!  looks like I was supposed to add ribbon, so that it can be tied shut!  So much for being observant and the paper clip for photo purposes worked just fine!)

Now when I saw this fun card was a challenge on a Yahoo groupI belong to, I decided I better get right to it.  Oftentimes I think I will make something some day and it never happens.  This card almost didn't happen either!  Let me explain.

Yesterday I had all of my papers cut, card scored, folded and layered and then I had to stop and think about how I was going to

decorate it.  This is when my little mind wandered way off the path. 

I thought about using some Sizzlets, but which one(s)?  So I pulled them all out of various containers and began to sort them.  Then I decided I didn't want to have to do this again for future cards (which was why the Sizzlets have been neglected for so long already). So I pulled out the little red machine (forgot it's name!) and began to crank out die cuts from every Sizzlet (or comparable brand) I own.  This took quite awhile and I was really beginning to regret starting this daunting task!  But I persevered and not only cut each shape, but also labeled trading card size card stock with the die cut name and put the TCs and DCs in those plastic sleeves collectors use for real trading cards.  I numbered the Sizzix containers and TC sleeves, so I know exactly where to find each particular die.  The sleeves are now in a binder stored close to my stamping table, so I can easily find what I am looking for next time.  Whew!

Needless to say, after all that organizing I was no longer in the mood to finish the card! The good news is that dark and early the next morning (I'm an early riser!) I finished the card quite easily because of how I am so organized now!  Let that be a lesson for you!

Square Pop-up:
Stamps:  A Muse
Paper:  Sahara sand, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, DSP: Delicate Dots
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
Misc:  Sizzlets:  Flower, Flower with Center, Little Leaves, Beautiful Wings; Nesties: Labels Four; rhinestones, dimensionals

Off to stamp some more!

Masculine Birthday Card

 I made two of these masculine birthday cards for my card stash.  I used some of the Rockabilly Specialty paper since it was still out on my stamping table, and paired it with some brushed copper card stock.  there is a basic gray card stock layer and then a PTI ivory base.

I had two large copper skeleton leaves left from a very long while ago and was able to use them up!  It feels so good to use up supplies purchased long ago, although it didn't leave much of a dent in the embellishment stash!

The sentiment is a PSX stamp and one of my favorites.  I love the framed H on Happy.  I used a square punch to form the banner end and then used dimensionals to raise it up on the leaf.  I also love how half of the leaf is layered on copper and half on the black and gray striped paper.
Off to stamp some more!

Snappy Starts

Another card trio to share with you today.  These "shopping" cards came about because I wanted to use these cute purse charms (which I embellished with tiny rhinestones!) that I've had in my embellishment stash.  I used the same basic layout for each card.

I noticed that the colors of the charms went well with the SU DSP: Rockabilly Specialty, so I used some different patterns for all three cards.  If you are not familiar with this specific package of paper, some of the patterns have shiny embossed images, such as the red cherries, the green stripes and the black cherry paper.  Needless to say, it's paper I've been hoarding for awhile!

Brads, rhinestones, layering and dimensionals can be found on all three cards. Ink colors used were on the sentiments from the SU set Snappy Starts are: Real Red, Melon Mambo, and Kiwi Kiss.

Off to stamp some more!

SOS! Challenge #1: Ribbon

Welcome to Challenge #1 at Shopping Our Stash!  The challenge this week is to untangle all of that ribbon (or maybe that's only my stash!) and use it in a different way than you usually do!

As you can see I made a woven ribbon wreath from almost six feet of ribbon!  For some reason I have more than one roll of this particular green grosgrain from SU.  It's been retired for some time now, but I must have really liked it at one time to order it twice!  One roll still takes up space unused!

Directions for making a wreath of your own can be found here and/or here.

Assorted flower brads and MS branch punchies were added to give it a Springlike look.  (Flower arranging is not in my genes, so don't look too close!)

For the card background, I used the Floral Screen Cuttlebug embossing folder with SU's Crumb Cake card stock.  An SU sentiment from the set Oval All, stamped in black, sits up on dimensionals on a Nestabilities Fancy Tag.  The wreath is backed with a white scallop circle, also cut with a Nestibilities die.

Have fun checking out the projects from the  SOS Design Team and then share with us your creative ways to use ribbon!
Off to stamp some more!

Bow Chica Bow Wow!

We're on Challenge #17 at  Party Time Tuesdays!  The challenge this week is to make an animal card.  I was able to use this fun image from our sponsor this month: Kenny K!  What a cute wiener dog!  Wish he were real and mine!  (DH is not a dog person - sigh!)

I had the fun dog tag in my embellishment stash and the funny sentiment is from a stamp set by TAC called...






wait for it...






Bow Chica Bow Wow!

I'm sure I bought this set because of this sentiment!  LOL!  What fun I had making today's card!  The sketch and patterned papers, along with the image and embellishments, had me smiling from start to finish!  I'm a happy stamper!
Off to stamp some more!

Coral, Ruby, Tangerine

Today's cards were made and photographed on a very dark and cloudy day, so they look washed out.  Continuing with my fad of making cards in sets, these three card just vary in color.  I didn't add sentiments yet, so the cards can be used for any occasion.

I made use of two Sizzix items: an Embosslit and a Sizzlet, which haven't seen action in quite awhile.  The same pattern of DSP was used on all three cards and then the back card stock layer matches the blooms on each card.  The blooms needed something and the pearls do the trick nicely.

These were fun and quick cards to make!
Off to stamp some more!

Punch Bunch Owls

Two different color combos with the Punch Bunch owl from SU.  The color combos came from using the SU Color Coach.  I like to pull that out when I can't decide what colors to use or when I want to find something different from what I normally use.

I've been on a kick lately of making cards in pairs and trios, but not sure why.    For these two cards I used metal edge square tags and popped the owls up with dimensionals.  Colored vests, wiggly eyes, buttons and bows dress them up.

Off to stamp some more!

Roof Garden

Last weekend I was able to get in a fair amount of stamping time.  I was also able to use some hoarded stickers from SU.  These were from a tin of Accents & Elements called Roof Garden.  I knew I wanted to use the three leafy branch stickers, so went through my considerable stash of DSP and chose three different patterns that all used Baja Breeze as the main color or accent.  Thus the three cards you see in today's post!

Roof Garden:
Stamps:  Polka Dots & Paisleys, Best Yet
Paper:  PTI white, Baja Breeze, DSP:  Walk in the Park, Parisian Breeze, Ski Slope
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Misc:  rhinestones, Nestabilities: Labels Four, SU Accents & Elements: Roof Garden

Off to stamp some more!

Bee Happy!

I'm buzzing by to wish you a Happy Day!

I sure hope that this card puts a smile on your face, because I am grinning from ear to ear after making this one!  I love the chubby little bee and the fun font of the coordinating sentiment, both free, courtesy of Paper Smooches!  I'm totally new to Kim's blog and her stamps/digi's, but I know I'll be back for more, as I am loving the look of her fun and cute stamp images!

The bumble's wings were colored with Pearl Smooch to give them an iridescent shine.  The body was colored with Copics and then wiggly eyes were added to give this cutie an impish look! A row of rhinestones give some sparkle on the layered oval and a trio of flower brads give the bee something to smile about!  A simple color combo complements the simple card design.  The sketch: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #17. 

Have a Happy Day!

Off to stamp some more!

SOS! My "Creative" Space!

Welcome to my room of creativity amid piles of clutter!  It's far from beautiful, but it is functional and it's all mine!  LOL!

 Left: My 12" of work space (often times less!) on an eight foot table, surrounded by various tools and "stuff".  Copics (in plastic mesh pencil cups fastened together with large brass fasteners!) and most used embellishments above, all within arms reach.  the shelves these items are stored on was an old bookshelf headboard that I bought at a thrift shop.


Right:  Bins holding adhesives, more embellishments, stamp indexes, clear blocks, and misc.  I bought this unit at Target in the children's furniture area.  I love it!

Left and Right:  Built in shelves/counter behind my table holds embellishments, punches, CDs and more "stuff" in their designated boxes, bags, tins, and cubbies!  The shelves were not made specifically for my stamp room, but they are an added bonus to my space!

Left:  This is my cutting/photography station at other end of room by one of two windows.  The white chest holds my non-SU ribbon and single stamps that I tried to sell once upon a time. (They will most likely get bagged up and sent to goodwill!)  The small paper holder holds specialty papers.  Those shoe boxes in the drawer-less chest hold treasured cards from dear stamping friends!  there is other "stuff" stored there too!


Right:  Another photo of the shelves behind my stamping table.  The blue metal boxes hold embellishments and tools.  The photo boxes hold my cards by category.  There are several more boxes, they just didn't show up in this photo!  The counter has boxes to hold my SU DSP (when it gets put back!)

Left:  My Sizzix/Big Shot Station housed on a rescued (from the end of a neighbor's driveway!) homemade computer table! 


Right: My current/retired/ and non-SU card stock.  I keep the scraps of each color on the same shelf as the whole pieces. Tthese paper holders are located on the wall right between the cutting station and the Sizzix station.
 


 
 These last four pics are of my main stamp storage.


Left:  Sentiment sets are on shelves.  Individual stamps are in plastic drawers.  The red fabric bins hold my SU ribbon separated by color.  The baskets hold shorter lengths of ribbon, fibers, and Baker's Twine. To the right of the baskets, against the back of a white stamp shelf are my birthday sets on the dark brown shelf. The white shelf (sorry, no photo), was purchased from a stamp store and holds an overflow of individual stamps that didn't fit in the drawers and also stamps I want on display!


Right:  These shelves hold more categories of stamps sets.  They are located behind the bins by my table, under a window, so Claire (my black beauty) can sit in the window sill.

 
Left:  These shelves are set in a former built in pool cue holder (from previous house owners).
The stamp sets are organized by category and then box size.

Right:  This wall of plastic drawers hold individual stamps by category and also miscellaneous supplies/embellishments/tools/extras/etc. My stamping table is right behind this red wall, under the only ceiling light in the entire downstairs - sheesh!!

My stamp room is located in the lower level of our house, what was once a "family room" and even at one time a bedroom for one of my sons.  Since my son is now on his own, all of my stamping stuff is now quite spread out down here!  Because it is so dark (dark paneled walls, not enough ceiling light fixtures or electrical outlets on the walls, thank you very much!), I use task lighting throughout and lots of outlet strips!

Hope you enjoyed the tour of my space, as it is right now (I'm constantly rearranging and tweaking!)!  To see more stamping spaces of the SOS Design Team, visit  the Stamping Our Stash Challenge Blog!  We'd love to see where you create!

Off to stamp some more!

PTT #16 Child's Birthday with a Sketch Challenge

We're on Challenge #16 at Party Time Tuesdays!  This week our challenge is jam packed full of fun!  We are featuring birthday cards for children and using a sketch by our talented sketch designer: Stacy!

I dove right in using an image from our sponsor for this month: Kenny K!  Doesn't this birthday girl look like she's having a blast in the water!?!  See the splash of water by her foot in the image (colored in with a clear glaze pen for a watery shine, as were the ripples in the water) and another splash of "water" in the upper left corner of the card with teardrop rhinestones?  (I love me some bling!)

We look forward to seeing your cards to celebrate the children's birthdays in your life!

Bonus card!  I had so much fun coloring and using this Kenny K image, that I made a second card to share with you today!  (Plus I wanted to use some more of this fun patterned paper!)

PTT #16 and bonus card!:
Image:  Kenny K
Stamps:  SU: Simple Sayings II
Paper:  PTI white, Gina K PL white, SU: Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizazz, Bashful Blue, DSP: Jersey Shore
Ink: Copics, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point
Misc:  Nestabilities, brads, photo corner punch, dimensionals, clear glaze gel pen
Off to stamp some more!