I often times hit a creative block and will need a little inspiration.  Does that happen to you?  To mitigate that, some times I'll search Pinterest for ideas or I'll visit a Facebook Group called Stampin' Gals Gone Wild! where weekly the administrator  +Connie Stewart   will post a sketch/layout for the members to interpret and post their cards based on the sketch. I've decided to share my cards based on these and other sketches found across Pinterest.  I'll post a new sketch weekly on a Monday as well as my interpretation of the design.  If you'd like to join me, you can...here's how: 1. I'll create an Facebook event and a photo album in my Facebook Group page and you can join the event and share your photo uploads. 2. You can comment here and include a photo. There are always rules...but these are pretty simple All entries must have at least one (1) Stampin' Up product (after all, I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator) Post must fo

I love my Friday's off (although I went in to work for 1/2 day).  It's when I get to get together with my Stampin' friends and get creative and we share lots of tips, tricks and techniques with each other. Yesterday's tip and trick came courtesy of  +Sharon Coleman  (relatively new to our Friday crop circle).  For my project yesterday, I was "struggling" with trying to make my bow without contorting my body in all sorts of uncomfortable positions.   +Sharon Coleman  watched this struggle for a few minutes then said, "Do you need my finger?"  This led to can I show you something that works for me?  Enter in today's tip, trick and technique. This tip involves a plastic bottle cap (really you can use whatever you'd like, but most inevitably you can find one of these lying around the home) and a toothpick...huh?  How's that gonna help me tie a bow? LOL...that's what I thought to myself too...so here's the tip...to add bows to

There are soooooo many different "tools" in our arsenal as greeting card makers...and you all know, I love a good tool...(yes I said tool)...that I decided to get familiar with them...at least the ones I already own (hint, hint...no purchasing of new tools just to blog about them...exactly who am I kidding).  Stampin' Up! Item# 141714    Much better 2nd result...needs just a lighter touch This blog is going to focus on the brayer .  Ok, let's get the "formal stuff" out of the way... Wikipedia says, a brayer is a hand-tool used historically in printing and printmaking to break up and "rub out" (spread) ink before it was "beaten" using inking balls or composition rollers . The word is derived from the verb to "bray", meaning "to break, pound, or grind small, as in a mortar". [1] A brayer consists of a short wooden cylinder with a handle fitted to one end; the other, flat end is used to r

I'm starting something new with my Stampin' Up! business.  Have you wanted to attend my stamp classes, but can't either because 1) time (we all know there just ain't enough hours in the day) or 2) location...(state, city, or just plain distance issues).  Well, I'm now offering Stamp Class by Mail (SCBM).  Each month will feature a different project the features a specific stamp set.  For the class fee, you'll get the stamp set, plus embellishments and supplies to make the projects.  Other items (such as ink pads, markers etc) can be provided as add-ons. October Stamp Class by Mail This month's kit will make 15 greeting cards:  5 designs 3 cards each. Kit will include the Totally Trees Photopolymer stamp set, 15 card blanks; pre-cut card stock; embellishments; pre-stamped sentiments from the Endless Thanks Stamp Set, and a PDF copy of the tutorial emailed upon receipt of payment. Class Fee:  $35 shipping not included Totally Trees Stamp Set [ 1421

Play dates After a long (and I mean long) work week, I really needed to relax and de-stress.  Thanks to my friends  +Gail Tassey   and Elaine for wanting to have a play date too and sharing their day with me getting crafty.   Floral Phrases Item#: 142355 Today's featured Stamp set is Stampin' Up's Floral Phrases.  Since the catalog release I'd been eyeing this set...a little intimidated by it actually, but loving it just the same...but just didn't get it (to be honest, with the release of the annual catalog and the holiday catalog, there're sooooo many that are in my HAVE TO HAVE column that I just have to pace myself)!  Anyway, I digress a bit...squirrel...LOL  Finally added it to my cart and with that and Pinterest...decided to play with this set today...and boy was I excited to play with it.   So after meeting up with my friends for a crafty play date, I made two cards (started a third) using this set. First, CASEd from Patty Bennett on Pin

Top of the morning to you! This morning (last night really), I was having a conversation with my friend  +Anna Varela  (I think) telling her that I'm in my "collecting" phase with my stamps and that I don't really use them...really bad habit (you should see my closet--clothes with tags still on them AND they don't fit).  So I decided that that was going to change.  How is that going to change you might ask?  Well...I decided that at least once a week, I will use a different stamp set and design at least three different cards.  This week, it's Stampin' Up!'s Paisleys and Posies  (Item# 142196).   It's an 18 piece stamp set that IMHO allows your creativity to flow.  In this card, I used Stampin' Up!'s inks from our  2016 - 2018 In Color collection:  Sweet Sugarplum, Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy and Peakaboo Peach. Card base in Night of Navy cardstock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"' layered with a piece of Whisper White at 4"

Shaving cream and card making you say? Finished card project Why, yes I say!  I love trying new things...especially new techniques and mediums.  Being new to paper crafting, there are soooo many things I still have yet to learn about this crafty outlet of mine.  In one of my Facebook groups (yes, I'm in many Facebook groups--card making, jewelry, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One...you name it), the shaving cream technique was posed as a challenge.  At first, I looked at it and was like...doesn't really float my boat, plus I don't have any shaving cream in my house (who says that, right)...who doesn't have shaving cream at home you ask...well, that would be me.  Anyway, I rose up and accepted the challenge.  Materials: - Shaving cream (must be the foam type--NOT gel) - Reinkers (I used Stamin' Up! Blushing Bride, Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango ) - Whisper White card stock I used two different techniques:  "smooshing" (abso

Just for You! Every so often even us creative types need some inspiration.  In one of my Facebook groups, led by  +Connie Stewart   , we are in a quest to find and maintain the flow of our creative juices.  Challenge # 7 was to visit the Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' University and try a new technique.  I had been wanting to try the Watercolor technique using acrylic blocks so I took advantage of that opportunity. This technique is so easy it'll make you wonder why you haven't done it before. Stamp sets: -World of Dreams (retired) -Thoughtful Branches Paper:   Very Vanilla  (#101650) Stampin' Write markers:  Lost Lagoon, Tangelo Twist, and Gumball Green   Want to make cards and live in the Austin, Texas area?  Leave me a comment or join my meetup group .  Visit me on  Facebook , especially on Tuesday's as I typically have Try It Tuesday's.  This is where I find a technique, or card fold or something awesome that I want to try and go for it.

It's been a little over a year now, since I've discovered my creative side through stamping and card making.  Although I loved the craft, I doubted my abilities and that my cards were "mail-worthy" and as a result, I sent not one...really...NOT one single Holiday card last year.  If you know anything about me at all, you'd know that typically after Thanksgiving, my first card goes in the mail. Fast forward one year, to today, and I'm starting my Holiday Greeting cards because I absolutely will not miss sending cards this year.  Plus, I've gotten much better and my cards are definitely "mail-worthy".  But Christmas is over five months away you say!  Yes, absolutely true!  But time flies when you think you have plenty of it. (That's a good one...think I'll keep it :) )  So here are a couple of designs that I absolutely love. Swirly Snow, A retired Stampin' Up! Set Wondrous Wreath Stamp and Die Set Item:135047 Item:  135851 

Amaaaazzzzinnng!  I'm sitting at my craft work space, taking this card I recent made from NOW to WOW by adding die-cut phrase.  Card...Now version  I'm sitting there painstakingly attempting to add adhesive to the lettering and getting frustrated while doing so then it dawned on me...you bought this thing for a reason, what better time to break it out! Caron...WOW Version Well I did...and I now I can't go back applying adhesive to detailed die cuts the "normal" way.  It has to be done with this totally incredible tool. As a 1st time user of the Xyron, I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say.  Easy to use--check; not a very messy process--check; increase in efficiency---check.   Here's a quick YouTube video on how to use it. I'm thinking that I may get another one that can accommodate larger and wider images...but for now, the Xyron is one of my new favorite adhesive tools. Happy Stampin!

Besides my birthday and Thanksgiving, Christmas is my absolutely favorite holiday!  Yes, indeedy it is! Last year I started my card making journey and did you know, I didn't make not even one Christmas card?  Not a one--how horrible for a card maker.  I won't bore you with all the reasons (no, not excuses) why I didn't make and/or send any, but let's just say that I had competing craft interests--I was making jewelry pieces (my usual holiday gifts).  This year, so that I don't fall into the proverbial time trap--AGAIN--I'm starting to make Christmas (cards) in July! The first card is made using a Masking and Sponging technique.  I saw this card on a YouTube video by Tami White - also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and CAS it...not everything but mostly the technique. Measurements: Card base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" (Old Olive) Whisper White Layer:  4 1/4" x 3 1/2" (used to stamp your image) Silver Glimmer Paper:  4 1/2" x 3 3/

Hi, Stampers! I saw this tip and thought I would share it with you. Very simple and easy to do. Perfect solution to store and use your embossing powder.  Stackable too. What you'll need: Ice cream sampler spoons (got mine on Amazon.com) Small Lock it containers (got mine at Dollar Tree-3 pack) Command Brand Clear wall hangers (small) Double sided adhesive (like dimensionals-relatively flush) Embossing Powder Here's what to do: 1. Open the small lock it container.   2. Adhere the command brand hanger to the inside lid of the container.   3. Secure the spoon in the hanger.  4. Add embossing powder, close and store.  All done! Quick tip!  Happy stamping!

Wooohooo!  Totally awesome day hanging with  +RGail Tassey  and the ladies for some lunch and a couple of hours of stampin'. Gail Today's menu was a taco bar with brownies and gelato...ok so I probably shouldn't have had the brownies or the gelato, but they were oh so delish...everyone contributes to the lunch so it was awesome...Thanks  +RGail Tassey  and Pam for allowing us to have play time at your home. Then we moved on to the mission of the day...stamping and having fun.  First, we started with Show and Tell. Elaine and Anna Elaine had made some awesome Easter cards and I got to show off some coloring that I had done using my Copic markers.   I also got to show off my incredible haul from Michael's which include:  Some Art Impressions and Stampendous stamps, some copic markers (on Sale buy 2 get 1 FREE), and some storage containers (60% off).  To top it all off, some copic markers that I ordered from otakufuel.com on Mar 16 were wai