This is one of my unwanted pets--and he's NOT the biggest one around here! Yuck! I noticed this one today looking like he was snuggling up to the cable on the chimney. He's almost cute. Almost.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
MINI PRETTIES KITS
Recently, some of my customers decided to split a Pretties Kit. Since the kit comes with only 
one tin, I had to find a way to package the "pretties" for the other ladies. My first thought was to make a box, but then I decided that they would need something more durable and long-lasting. So . . . these are the tins that I decorated for them! In case you're wondering, I didn't use their flower and brad on the tin. Ha! The designer paper I used is from the Nouveau Chic collection.
one tin, I had to find a way to package the "pretties" for the other ladies. My first thought was to make a box, but then I decided that they would need something more durable and long-lasting. So . . . these are the tins that I decorated for them! In case you're wondering, I didn't use their flower and brad on the tin. Ha! The designer paper I used is from the Nouveau Chic collection.STAINED GLASS
I needed to make a sympathy card this evening, and I decided to try my brand new (just received today) Sizzix "Lattice" die. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but the die leaves a lot of little marquise-shaped cuts that are perfect for creating a stained glass look! I don't know that this is a perfect sympathy card, but I love it! The sentiment that I used inside the card may not have been exactly perfect, either, but I kept coming back to it and hope that it will be of comfort to the one who receives it. The sentiment reads, "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." For this card, I used Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay card stock. If you click on the photo of the card, a larger image will open where you can see more of the detail (and mistakes, too).Tuesday, July 28, 2009
MONEY (TIME & ENERGY) WELL WASTED
I just can't stay out of this room but, since I'm really cleaning today, I thought I'd share an unpleasant experience and a warning to not invest in an attachment like this to vacuum the dust from your ceiling fan blades. I had my handheld vacuum and attachments out already and when I was putting paper towels in the closet, I uncovered a box of vacuum cleaner bags and an 
assortment of attachments. Hmmm . . . let me try this one, I said to myself. Clearly, I had enough attachments to reach the fan blades while keeping my feet planted on the floor, but just trying to get the attachment around a fan blade caused the fan to start swaying and turning (ours has a 2.5' rod connecting it to the ceiling mount). Argh! Okay, fine! I'll get the step stool! It didn't take long to realize that I didn't feel safe holding the vacuum in one hand, the attachment in the other hand, and trusting my balance to keep me on the stool while the fan kept moving side to side. That's a dizzying site, you know, when you're looking up! I stepped off the stool and slid a bench under the fan to hold the vacuum and then proceeded to clean. I still had trouble getting the attachment to glide over the blade, and the fan was leaning in all kinds of ways that I know can't be good. Guess what happened next? Yep! The dang vacuum slid off the bench, disconnecting it to the stupid fan blade attachment! In the picture, does it look to you like the vacuum sucked the dust from the brushes in this attachment? Doesn't look like it to me! All of the effort to make this one little (supposedly handy) tool work has brought me to conclusion that it's a complete waste of money, time, and energy!
assortment of attachments. Hmmm . . . let me try this one, I said to myself. Clearly, I had enough attachments to reach the fan blades while keeping my feet planted on the floor, but just trying to get the attachment around a fan blade caused the fan to start swaying and turning (ours has a 2.5' rod connecting it to the ceiling mount). Argh! Okay, fine! I'll get the step stool! It didn't take long to realize that I didn't feel safe holding the vacuum in one hand, the attachment in the other hand, and trusting my balance to keep me on the stool while the fan kept moving side to side. That's a dizzying site, you know, when you're looking up! I stepped off the stool and slid a bench under the fan to hold the vacuum and then proceeded to clean. I still had trouble getting the attachment to glide over the blade, and the fan was leaning in all kinds of ways that I know can't be good. Guess what happened next? Yep! The dang vacuum slid off the bench, disconnecting it to the stupid fan blade attachment! In the picture, does it look to you like the vacuum sucked the dust from the brushes in this attachment? Doesn't look like it to me! All of the effort to make this one little (supposedly handy) tool work has brought me to conclusion that it's a complete waste of money, time, and energy!SCALLOP CIRCLE ORIGAMI FLOWER
My husband is going to board up the entrance to this room if I don't get out of here! I spent most of the weekend (between mountainous loads of laundry) in here, and I was supposed to be 
cleaning up. It makes me so mad at myself that I get side-tracked so easily! I've made some progress putting things where they go, but you can't tell it from the things I've pulled out! I didn't know when my husband left for work this morning that he'd be coming home for lunch and then show up early a couple of hours later to stay. Darnit! Where did he find me BOTH times? In here working (aka playing/creating). I've been productive--just not in the way that I need to be. This card is one that I just whipped up (literally) using an origami fold to create the flower from the three scallop circles. I cut the "Nouveau Chic" designer paper circles from the Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 die and then embossed them with the Paisley texture plate. I swiped Apricot Appeal ink on the circles and then lightly sanded to reveal the embossing, but the designer paper is just too busy for the detail to be revealed. Swirls from the "Priceless" stamp set were stamped on the Basic Gray card stock, and I used the Go Go Boots Alphabet and Birds & Blooms Sizzlits to create the center for the flower and the greeting. I could probably count on two fingers the number of times I've used Basic Gray, so I'm glad it worked out for me to use it this evening. For now, I need to leave this room and dust the dining room. Shhh . . . don't tell my husband that I've been in here . . . again!
cleaning up. It makes me so mad at myself that I get side-tracked so easily! I've made some progress putting things where they go, but you can't tell it from the things I've pulled out! I didn't know when my husband left for work this morning that he'd be coming home for lunch and then show up early a couple of hours later to stay. Darnit! Where did he find me BOTH times? In here working (aka playing/creating). I've been productive--just not in the way that I need to be. This card is one that I just whipped up (literally) using an origami fold to create the flower from the three scallop circles. I cut the "Nouveau Chic" designer paper circles from the Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 die and then embossed them with the Paisley texture plate. I swiped Apricot Appeal ink on the circles and then lightly sanded to reveal the embossing, but the designer paper is just too busy for the detail to be revealed. Swirls from the "Priceless" stamp set were stamped on the Basic Gray card stock, and I used the Go Go Boots Alphabet and Birds & Blooms Sizzlits to create the center for the flower and the greeting. I could probably count on two fingers the number of times I've used Basic Gray, so I'm glad it worked out for me to use it this evening. For now, I need to leave this room and dust the dining room. Shhh . . . don't tell my husband that I've been in here . . . again!Monday, July 27, 2009
FINAL "DEAL OF THE WEEK"
No, I haven't lost my mind! I know it isn't February! I wanted to show a card today that 
features the Heart to Heart punch since this product is the last "Deal of the Week" that SU will offer this month. I don't know if they plan to offer these deals again, but I hope they do! It's always nice to save 30% or more on an item! The punch is pictured on the right side of my blog in the sidebar, and you can order the punch by clicking on the picture under "Deal of the Week"! Shown here is one of my favorite cards where I used the Heart to Heart punch, and I also used the Sock Monkey stamp set, Sizzix Petal Card die, and Bella Rose designer paper. Isn't that monkey adorable? You might as well go ahead and order him, too! ;-)
features the Heart to Heart punch since this product is the last "Deal of the Week" that SU will offer this month. I don't know if they plan to offer these deals again, but I hope they do! It's always nice to save 30% or more on an item! The punch is pictured on the right side of my blog in the sidebar, and you can order the punch by clicking on the picture under "Deal of the Week"! Shown here is one of my favorite cards where I used the Heart to Heart punch, and I also used the Sock Monkey stamp set, Sizzix Petal Card die, and Bella Rose designer paper. Isn't that monkey adorable? You might as well go ahead and order him, too! ;-)Saturday, July 25, 2009
"AUTUMN DAYS" FAUX TORN VELLUM
For one of my August classes, I think I'm going to teach faux techniques. I started making a list of techniques to choose from, and this was one that I had not yet tried. I will definitely re-visit this one, though, because it produces a very striking look with minimal effort. Gotta love that! I know, I know . . . I used "Autumn Days" again, but I love this stamp set! Is there any card or technique for which it is not suited???? This isn't a perfect design, and my inky fingers left unintended smudges, but I love the technique and wanted to share this card on my blog! Which reminds me . . . have you called, emailed, or visited www.regina.stampinup.net to order your own "Autumn Days" stamp set yet?ANIMAL STORIES
I don't often participate in challenges, but Beate Johns shared a beautiful card that she had made
for a sketch challenge (WSC90) on SCS. I finally got around to trying the challenge and, wouldn't you know it . . . it's a square card--my favorite, of late! This design features SU's "Tall Tales" designer paper, "Animal Stories" stamp set, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, and Whisper White card stock, and SU ribbon. I used the Big Shot and some Spellbinders' Nestabilities dies (Small Classic Ovals and Small Scallop Classic Ovals) for the center layers. This is a really fun and simple sketch. Give it a try!
for a sketch challenge (WSC90) on SCS. I finally got around to trying the challenge and, wouldn't you know it . . . it's a square card--my favorite, of late! This design features SU's "Tall Tales" designer paper, "Animal Stories" stamp set, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, and Whisper White card stock, and SU ribbon. I used the Big Shot and some Spellbinders' Nestabilities dies (Small Classic Ovals and Small Scallop Classic Ovals) for the center layers. This is a really fun and simple sketch. Give it a try!Wednesday, July 22, 2009
BEACH
Yesterday was a perfect day here at the beach. Today, however, has been too hot! We started out setting up at the ocean (in the hot, hot sand), but I only managed to read one chapter of my book before I declared that I could not stay there any longer. When my husband and son came back from the ocean and said they'd "been whipped" by the waves, we loaded ourselves like mules to bring back three chairs, drinks, an umbrella, and an over-stuffed backpack to the pool. This was nice; however, this is a picture of my empty chair. Why is it empty? Because I had to dip myself--almost permanently--in the pool. My towel didn't even get dry from my first dip before I had to get back in. Actually, it's probably not "too hot" for most people, but I have the hardest time being still. I've never been one of those sun-worshipers who can spend hours basking beneath scorching rays. Tomorrow we'll head back home, and I think we're all ready. There's no place like home!!!!Sunday, July 19, 2009
RAZZLE DAZZLE . . . AGAIN
I noticed that I have been using Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry a LOT, so it's good that I have 
this Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo card to share. This is another EASY and quick card! Isn't that little flower as sweet as can be? All of the stamped images are from the Razzle Dazzle set so, as you can see, it's a handy one! When I attended my first SU workshop, I wasn't too happy to learn that stamps weren't sold separately, but it didn't take long for me to realize that a set of stamps is a good thing! This is definitely one of those that you can pull off the shelf and easily create a quick card with a main image, background, and sentiment! Colors used on this card are Crushed Curry (card, ribbon, and ink), Melon Mambo (card stock and ink), and Always Artichoke marker.
this Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo card to share. This is another EASY and quick card! Isn't that little flower as sweet as can be? All of the stamped images are from the Razzle Dazzle set so, as you can see, it's a handy one! When I attended my first SU workshop, I wasn't too happy to learn that stamps weren't sold separately, but it didn't take long for me to realize that a set of stamps is a good thing! This is definitely one of those that you can pull off the shelf and easily create a quick card with a main image, background, and sentiment! Colors used on this card are Crushed Curry (card, ribbon, and ink), Melon Mambo (card stock and ink), and Always Artichoke marker.
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