Spooky Stamp Club project

Here is the spooky little tabletop/mantle decoration we created for our last stamp club. I used My Digital Studio to create the letters for this piece. Witches Brew Designer Series Paper creates a nice colorful background for this Halloween decoration. The bats and glitter spider were extras from the craft store.

Now if I can just get my little Boo kitty to leave the bats alone:)

The Boo Kitty

A Quick Retro Sketch Card

Here is a quick little card I created using this week's Retro Sketch challenge. I used some really fun paper from Echo Park to create a bright, quick Bat Mitzvah card.


Paper - Echo Park - Sweet Girl 6x6 Pad, very vanilla and blue card stock
Stamp - Shalom Sayings
Ink - Bermuda Bay
Accessories - Felt flower, leaf and yellow button.

Hello Chick - Deconstructed Sketch

Megan needed an introduction/hello card for her little sister at school so I thought I would try out this cute little chick. I used this weeks sketch from Deconstructed Sketch 111 to guide my design. I tried to keep it CAS and bright so I used the white background in lieu of designer paper. I am having so much fun trying out my new TAW sets.

Stamp - The Alley Way - Bird Brain
Ink - basic black, Copics Y11, Y15, Y18
Paper - Basic Grey Kneehigh DSP, whisper white and pink card stock.
Accessories - ribbon, circle die, scallop circle die, button, bakers twine, dimensionals

More Fun with TAWS

OK, I just had to keep stamping since it has been a while and I am having so much fun with my new TAW sets. This card is for my sister since I don't know what I would do without that woman. I started with just the sentiment and thought I needed something extra for the card although I wanted to keep it CAS. I added the "you are here" at the last minute and like how it turned out. Oooh, to have a bit more time to ink up a few more sets - but the kids and the dogs are calling.

Stamps - The Alley Way - Iconic and Good Point

Paper - SU basic gray and whisper white card stock

Ink - coastal cabana, melon mambo, summer starfruit

Sentiment from MDS

Accessories - 1" circle punch, dimensionals

TAWS Challenge

Today I thought I would enter the TAWS challenge. I have just found some really cool and fun stamps by The Alley Way stamp company and couldn't wait to ink them up. I combined two sets to create this clean and simple thank you. Mmmm with this sentiment, I think I may have to order the robot set to go with it:)

Click on over to the TAWS challenge and check out the awesome creations there.

Stamps - The Alley Way - Iconic and Good Point
Paper - SU going grey, crushed curry and whisper white card stock
Ink - crushed curry, basic black
Accessories - 1" circle punch, gold band, dimensionals

July Stamp Club

Here are the projects we completed for our July Stamp club. For this little purse favor, I used the beautiful new Eastern Elegance DSP. I just love the sophisticated palette of this paper.

Paper - Eastern Elegance DSP, smokeyslate, crushed curry and whisper white card stock
Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories - Pansy punch, brads, modern label punch, 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals, bakers twine, velcro

And for all our little sports girls and guys we created this bottle attachment. I think I am going to try an adult version for wine bottles that can hold some chocolate and nut mix.

Paper - Daffodil delight, real red, whisper white card stock, striped paper from MDS
Stamps - Blue Ribbon, My Digital Studio
Accessories - 1 3/8" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, red ribbon, craft sticks, dimensionals

A New Blog and a New Journey

I have just started a new blog and wanted to invite you to join if you will. It should be an interesting ride.

I am still stamping and paper crafting, but I swear I have to get my projects out the door so fast I don't have time to take pictures and blog about them. I am hoping that will all calm down this fall when the kids are back in school.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer spending time with your loved ones and creating fabulous things. 

Happy Stamping!

Tara

Birthday "Collectable"

Here is a quick birthday card I made for a friend today. With the kid's schedule these days. I NEED quick. I just love the papers from My Mind's Eye. Aren't they yummy?  It is from the 6x6 pad  -Collectable "Memorable".  I received this as part of a Taylored Expressions key ingredient kit. These kits are so fun and it is easy to pull projects together quickly with all the beautifully coordinated items. A little ribbon, flower, button and a sentiment and it is done.

Paper - My Minds Eye Collectable "Memorable", very vanilla and yellow card stock
Stamp- A Fitting Occasion
Ink - Rose Red
Accessories - ribbon, button, paper daisy, bakers twine, 1" circle punch

A Thorough Purge - Spring Cleaning the Crafting Closet

Ahhh, and here is a nice glass of wine to celebrate a ruthless purge  and sparkling condition of my crafting closet. I haven't been stamping much but have started Spring Cleaning the house. Not only is it time to spring cleaning time, but the new Stampin' Up! catalog is soon to be released and it's time to make way for some lovely new products.

So, here you can see how ruthless I really am. I may regret getting rid of some of these sets, but I know I have My Digital Studio as a backup for most of them. It does feel very good to open up some space and DUST EVERYTHING OFF. I believe this is about 42 sets, 6 wheels and not shown is a stack of paper and accessories about 12" high.

AND OOh, Aahhhh an empty shelf!

Now, I will have to make sure I don't fill this shelf up too fast. Some space will be taken up by my wood sets that I will transfer to the new wood storage boxes when they are available May 31st. I am very excited for the new storage boxes!

I am offering my customers first dibs at my stamp sets and then will donate the rest to Goodwill. What do you do with your purged crafting supplies?

Retiring Lists are Here!!!

It's that time of year again to get ready for the brand spankin' new Stampin' Up! catalog beginning May 31st. In order to bring new products to you, we must say goodbye to some of our old items.

Click here to see the Retired Stamp list. Retired stamps will be available through June 3rd.

Click  here for the retired accessories list. Accessories are limited and will be available only while supplies last.

Easter Projects for New Stamp Club

Last night was the first evening of a new stamp club. It was so fun getting to meet such a great group of women and showing them the addictive fun of Stampin' Up!. We had an Easter theme and I demonstrated how to create these little baskets. The basket is built around the bottom of a Dixie Cup . These would be great favors for an Easter table and filled with little jelly beans or a colored egg.

  

 

The sentiment was printed out with MDS and then stamped using Stampin' Write markers for a bit of color.  

 Our second project was decorating Easter Eggs using our SU stamps. We just created the initial egg to get the hang of the technique but I brought the rest as examples.

Easter Basket

Paper - Soft Subtles DSP, pink pirouette and very vanilla card stock

Ink - pink pirouette, lucky limeade

Stamp - Tiny Tags

Accessories - Crochet trim, scallop border punch, dotted scallop ribbon border punch, Hearts a Flutter Framelit dies, cotton ribbon, vintage trinkets, brads

Stamped Eggs

Ink - Stazon Black

Stamps - Lovely Letters Alphabet, Established Elegance, French Foliage

Accessories - colored egg, tissue paper, Modge Podge, Paint Brush

Birthday Cards

 

Here is a sweet 16 card I created for our Megz. I wanted something bright and cheerful since she loves bright colors.

Paper - My Minds Eye -Tickled Pink, pool party, whisper white, melon mambo card stock

Stamp - Taylored Expressions -For the Love of Cupcakes, My Digital Studio

Ink - Basic Black

Accessories - PTI Beautiful Blooms Die #2, dotted scallop ribbon border punch, button, pretty in pink taffeta ribbon, sparkle brad, Everyday Enchantment brads

My sister the quilter has a birthday this week and I am sending this off today. I thought this Happy Hexagon die resembled a quilt pattern. I added a bit of stitching to the sentiment ( I need to take my machine in for adjustment - the stitching is a bit off) The matching button was created by stacking 1" circle punched card stock and covering with designer paper then coating with Crystal Effects.

Paper - Taylored Expressions Key Ingredient Kit October 2011, cherry cobbler, daffodil delight and whisper white card stock

Stamp - PTI Fancy Folk Art

Ink - Basic Black

Accessories - PTI Hexagon die, 1" circle punch

 

Sweet Birthday for the Paper Players

This week The Paper Players have a sketch challenge. I needed a project for our stamp group and loved this clean and simple sketch. I was also very anxious to use my new paper that arrived this weekend. It is so festive and bright, I LOVE it!

Pop on over to The Paper Players blog and see all the wonderful designs for this sketch.

Paper - My Mind's Eye Collectable Notable DSP, whisper white, pumpkin pie and pool party card stock

Ink - Copics Y21, Y21,YR12,YG25, YG23, R08, Tuxedo Black

Stamp - Taylored Expressions - For the Love of Cupcakes

Accessories - circle and circle scallop dies, pool party bakers twine

Green and Purple Birthday

Birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays. This card is for my friend whose favorite colors are green and purple. I used some of my lovely Webster Pages paper and went for an uber feminine look.

Paper - Webster's Pages, lucky limeade, concord crush, very vanilla card stock
Stamp - Bring on the Cake
Ink - Stazon black
Accessories - flower trim ribbon, pear pizzaz seam binding, tulle, pearls, scallop border punch

PPA Birthday

There are many birthdays coming in the next few months and I NEED cards. I used a Margret Moody sketch from Pals Paper Arts for this card that came together very quickly. I just love sketch challenges since they help me create cards quickly. Pop on over to Pals Paper Arts to see al the great designs.

Paper - Echo Park -For the Record 2, grenadine, sunbeam card stock, whisper white card stock
Ink - Stazon
Stamp - From the Heart
Accessories - gingham ribbon, crochet flower, button, string, corner rounder

A Little Valentine Love

Valentine's day in our house is really a birthday celebration for my funny valentine Jake, but I needed a Valentine project for our monthly stamp group. I saw this cute digital download on Far Far Hill and wanted to create something with this wonderful image. The little cupid is just so sweet and beautiful and I love how she is accented with just a touch of pink. I pulled the angel and the Love sentiment into My Digital Studio and sized them for my card. I think this card would not only fit the bill for Valentine's Day, but perhaps a wedding as well.


Stamps - SU Creative Elements
Digital Download - "Love Secrets" Far Far Hill
Paper - SU cardstock pretty in pink, very vanilla, Lilybeedesign "Victoria Park" , My Minds Eye " The Sweetest Thing", Silver glimmer paper
Ink - Going Grey, Basic Black
Accessories - pretty in pink taffeta ribbon, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, 5/8" flower trim, small heart punch, brad, small clothes pin, build a ticket punch, corner rounder

Retro Sketch for Stamp Club

Last night our stamp club met and created a Stamp-A-Stack. I used this week's Retro Sketch and created the 5 cards above. This sketch works very well for simple cards that can be produced quickly. I tried to create cards for various recipients including a masculine card. I love Stamp-A-Stacks since they are great to have on hand for personal use or to give as gifts.

I wanted to feature some really cool new stuff from the Sale-A-Bration brochure and the Spring Catalog, namely the Pretty Petites, Cioa! Baby stamps sets and corresponding punches. Sale-A-Bration begins next week, January 22nd.

 

Stamp - Pretty Petites

Paper - Sycamore Street DSP,  whisper white and pool party card stock

Ink - Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo

Accessories - Island Indigo Bakers Twine, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1" square punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Stamp - Ciao! Baby

Paper - Polka Dot Parade DSP,  whisper white, basic black and not quite navy card stock

Ink - Old Olive

Accessories - Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1" square punch, Argyle Embossing Folder

Stamp - Pretty Petites

Paper - Twitterpated DSP,  whisper white and pretty in pink card stock

Ink - Old Olive

Accessories - Pool Party Bakers Twine, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1" square punch, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder

Stamp - Ciao! Baby

Paper - Birds of a Feather DSP,  whisper white and crumb cake card stock

Ink - Marina Mist

Accessories -  Twine, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1" square punch, Stripes Embossing Fodler

Stamp - Pretty Petites

Paper - Floral District,  whisper white and daffodil delight card stock

Ink - Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Accessories -  White Bakers Twine, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1" square punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Retro Sketch for Dallas

Last month, Megan and Jake were able to attend a Dallas Cowboys football game with my husband and some business associates. They needed a thank you card for the firm that arranged the trip so I had an excuse to stamp. I used this week's Retro Sketch and incorporated the Dallas colors and the star. I just love the simplicity of this sketch and will be using it for some other projects this week.

Stamps - Made for You
Ink - Night of Navy
Paper - Whisper white, night of navy, silver, bashful blue card stock
Accessories - Stars die, Star brad, Stripe embossing folder

Large Drawstring Bag - Apron

OK I can put the sewing machine away again. I completed two projects today. The first is the larger drawstring bag I wanted to make for my larger knitting projects, namely a baby blanket I have started. I made up the pattern and lined it with the black and white fabric that is around the drawstring. Now to fill the bags with my projects and knit away.

This little apron is for my niece that I wanted to complete before the holidays, but I am very late checking this project off the list. I just fell in love with the cutie Paris fabric. The picture doesn't show very well that the Eiffel Towers are glittery. SUCH FUN! I hope she will like it along with all the baking equipment I am sending her way.

Well, perhaps I won't put the sewing machine away. I might have to keep it handy to sew on a few cards. You also never know when a Pinterest project will demand to be created:)

One Thing Leads to Another - Drawstring Knitting Bag

Yes, one thing leads to another. As I was in the yarn shop the other day choosing yarn for a new project, I saw some really cute draw string bags to keep projects in. As I looked at the price tag, I gasped a little. Yes, they were cute, but I knew that I could probably make something just as useful for a fraction of the price. I mean C'mon, it's less than a yard of fabric. So off to Hobby Lobby I went for some fabric and pulled out the dusty sewing machine. A few hours later, I have my little bag.

 In my searchings on the web for a drawstring tutorial, I came across this cute pattern at Pink Penguin. Ayumi's bag was used as a lunch bag and included a waterproof liner - so clever! You can get the fabulous, easy to follow tutorial here. I liked that the bag had handles since I am always carrying a knitting bag to Megan's volleyball tournaments and practices. I think next I will be making my own pattern for a larger drawstring bag for my larger knitting projects. As I said, one thing leads to another - project then another, then another.....

Deconstructed Mash Up - It's that time of the year

Ignore the button below use the one to the left:)

Ahhh, the flu season is upon us. Jake has been home from school with overall malaise and a fever. So many people I have talked to have a sick person in their family, so I decided to be prepared with a "perk up" card. I combined two challenges this week  - The Deconstructed Sketch and The Friday Mash Up. The Friday Mashup pic reminded me of this paper stack that I have been anxious to use AND I am really hooked on the Deconstructed Sketch.  I thought the card would have a bit of country flair with the sweet flowers and barn wood papers. The Friday Mash Up calls for 3 or more patterned papers and I think I got 5 in here with the flowers. This is such a cute set of papers to work with.

Well, Jake is on the mend this morning perhaps due to the "Jake Paste" that I make for him. I combine 1 T of coconut oil with 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil and 5 drops of Lavender oil. I rub this on his throat, chest, back and feet.  It also has a nice spa like fragrance so I use it preventatively on myself when someone else in the house is sick. How do you combat the flu season in your household?

Perk Up Card
Stamp - SU Morning Cup
Paper - My Minds Eye- On the Bright Side, basic grey and whisper white card stock
Accessories - flower punch, green ribbon, lucky limeade bakers twine, 1/16" punch, dimensionals.

Continuing with Organization - The Kitchen

A Bowl Full of Lemons and Clean Mama  (my 2 fav organizing and cleaning blogs) are pairing with other organizing bloggers to revisit key areas of your home to organize in the New Year's Organizing Revolution. I am taking this time to fulfill my New Years resolutions and get my home organized.

 This week we are revisiting the kitchen. Here are my attempts to get my kitchen organized. I am learning to transfer all my items into glass containers. I find this not only looks good, but I can see how much of an item I have. When I was cleaning out my cabinets, I found multiple bags of sugar and other things that I bought because I could not see that I already had plenty on hand. 

I am starting with my baking goods cabinets and breakfast area. 

Before

No we really don't drink - THAT much so I need to offload some of these glasses.

After

I put all my flours and sugars in these containers that I purchased at Target. I then printed the labels using My Digital Studio.

Here is the breakfast area with all the items for toast, smoothies, Megan's Krueg and her travel cups

This drawer under the breakfast station contains items for the kids lunches and Megan's coffee pods.

Here is my new Command Center using Martha Stewart products. It has my cleaning binder, my calendar, a box for receipts, calculator, post it notes, notepad and my green banking binder. To the right is a weekly menu printable in a frame that you can see in this post

Here is my cleaning binder which I love, love love. I purchased Clean Mama printables from her Etsy site. They are in tabs that I use for monthly and seasonal cleaning. I then customized my own weekly cleaning schedule printables and use them each week to keep myself on a regular cleaning schedule. It helps immensely with 2 kids, 2 dogs a cat and my biggest kid, my husband:)

I use my iCal for the whole family but I also found I needed a calendar for just my daily detailed to-do list. I purchased this great Martha Stewart planner which is customizable. It is the perfect size for me and doesn't take up too much counter space. 

AND last but not least, was the daunting task of organizing my recipe books. AHHHHH! I had so many gooey books that I used and found hard to part with. I cleaned them all out and organized them into one Martha Stewart binder with dividers for each food category ( Meat, Chicken, Apps, Salad, Bread, etc). I also kept my mom's hand written recipe cards and placed them 2 per page.   Now I actually have extra space in my cookbook cabinet.

Before

After

Each page is put in a page protector to keep the recipes from getting gooey.

Leave me a comment if you are on the organizing band wagon and partaking in the Organizing Revolution. I would love to see your organizing style and progress as well.

Happy Organizing!