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I really enjoyed doing this challenge on Splitcoast here as I actually had time to do one! I had to alter the sketch just a tad, but I really love how it turned out. I'm still getting acclimated to a couple of techniques I've stumbled across, so I first tried to do the flower with the Faux Alchohol Ink technique...which looked absolutely AWFUL!!! I attempted to use Vintage Violet, Cool Caribbean and Marigold Morning reinkers to do the background with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. It was waaaaaaaay too bright, and didn't fit with the subdued theme of the card.

Although it's hard to see, I did use a sponge dauber to dab Perfect Plum all over the main image, which gave it a more vintage feel. I also used a some scraps of the Enchante Designer Series paper in the Stampin' Up Winter Mini Catalog, which is no longer available for purchase (although I wouldn't be surprised if it appears in the new Fall/Winter SU Collection released on July 1). I also put the Very Vanilla cardstock through my Cuttlebug with the Flower Embossing Folder, which I picked up at AllThatScraps. And I LOVE the black Making Memories brads that I grabbed at CrazyScraps, which came in a big set with silver and white brads of different sizes.

Supplies:

Stamps: Delight in Life (SU SellABration set)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Vintage Violet, Enchante DS Paper

Accessories: Making Memories Brads, May Arts Pink Dotted Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Flower Embossing Folder, Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons, AquaPainter, Chalks, Sponge Dauber, Marvy Giga Scalloped Punch

I actually stamped today!

Not only did I finish a swap due Monday, but I actually stamped a card for fun. Wow, I had almost forgotten how nice it is to stamp for fun once in awhile! I received my PaperTrey order on Wednesday with the May release of Little Lady, which is a really cute set. It's on backorder until May 30th, but PaperTreyInk does a fantastic job of getting stamps and orders out as soon as the stock is replenished, so order now! I didn't realize just how big the ladybug is...it's about 1" x 1"! Pretty impressive if you want more than one on a card. This didn't turn out exactly how I'd like it...so I might update it and change the main portion. I intended to have the two ladybugs just kind of roaming around, but they look too uniform when I stamped their trail the way that I did (I should have reversed the stamp to make it more creative). I did like that I shortened the saying from "A Happy Life is Made of Little Things" to just "Life is Made of Little Things". I essentially had to do this for the size of everything, because I couldn't fit the first two words on it. I will say I love the color combo, and never get enough opportunities to use the Basic Black cardstock. It really looks fantastic IRL with the Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, and I accented it with May Arts ribbon that I got from AllThatScraps.

I stamped the ladybug body first on Very Vanilla cardstock with Rose Red ink, then stamped the body in Stazon. I then stamped the entire image with the body stamp in Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. To give it a thick look, I kept adding embossing powder as I was heating it (and got it everywhere in the process...that stuff really books it across the kitchen table!!). I then cut the wings out, stamped the body image again on the main cardstock, and glued the wings to the main cardstock. Hard to explain...but I think it'll make more sense if you look at the picture. It's a cute project...but not perfect in my opinion. Oh well: it'll be a work in progress for me this weekend!

Materials:

Stamps: Little Lady by PaperTreyInk

Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red by Stampin' Up!

Ink: Rose Red (SU), Black Stazon, Versamark

Accessories: May Arts ribbon, Cuttlebug, Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, SU Cutter Kit, Dimensionals

On a non-stamping note, my school is closed this week for our half-term break. The British educational system goes almost year round, and we don't close out the school year until July 20th. So we get a week off each term at the halfway point, then longer breaks between terms. So I'm definitely looking forward to getting things done around the house, sleeping in, completing the three other swaps that are due June 15th on Splitcoast, and finishing up my final project for my Master's class. I can't wait to sleep in Saturday morning!!

WOO HOO!!!

I have had 1,000 visits to my itty bitty blog! How exciting!

I've decided I'm going to offer up some blog candy for 2,500 visits...and I'd love some ideas on what would be good to give up. Post your ideas and tidbits so I can start planning now!!

The Legacy of Buckaroo Blue

I had two swaps due next week, and managed to combine both of their requirements to make one blue card. Yep, me and my blue! A swap in my SU group was to use retiring sets, which made me pull out Flower Fest (boo hoo on it being retired!) and a current hostess set. A swap on Splitcoast required using In-Colors, since they are essentially retiring as well. I decided to whip out the Buckaroo Blue, which I've barely used since picking it up a few months ago (and I still haven't opened the package of True Thyme or inked anything with the pad...that'll teach me to buy something I KNOW I won't use!).

I love the final product, and it only used Buckaroo Blue ink and Versamark! I like how soft it is and very comforting. And (insert a picture of me patting myself on the back), I actually figured out how to put the freakin' new Watermark on the card BY MYSELF!!! WOO HOO!!! I'm relatively tech-savvy, but this seemed a little beyond me. I had to re-download some photo software that I never updated when I had to wipe my computer last year, but quickly figured out how to pop it onto the pictures. I'm really proud of myself. Beth at Freckled Fun Designs definitely had to put the banner up for me (something about deleting HTML code...banner hanging in air...pixels...yada yada...no comprende...) but I got the watermark on there. Yippeee!!!

Supplies: (All Material's Stampin' Up!)

Stamps: Flower Fest, Blooming with Happiness (hostess set), Fine Lace background

Ink: Buckaroo Blue, Versamark

Paper: Buckaroo Blue, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Black embossing powder, silver eyelets, clear embossing powder, cream organdy ribbon

Check out my new banner!!!

Ain't it purty??? Beth from Freckled Fun Designs did it. I LOVE IT!! I'm so glad I found her off someone else's blog, and it was really easy to do. She sent me all her goodies in a PDF file so I could pick the font and any other designs I wanted, plus I had to pick colors. I also love that she used Blue Bayou, one of the new colors coming up in the new catalog for Stampin' Up!!

Thanks soooo much, Beth!!

Time is scarce...

There just aren't enough hours in the day right now! I've been so busy that I've only been able to stamp once in the last four days, and that was to finish a swap that had to be mailed today. I'll post the picture of the swap tomorrow, which is a swap I found on Splitcoast. I've been working on assignments for my Master's classes, lesson planning, yard work, pet duties, and regular run-of-the-mill household duties. I'm pooped!

I hope to have new things to stamp and post by the weekend, as I should be receiving my new PaperTrey Little Lady set this week, as well as the Inky Antics order I made. Woo hoo!

Hope everyone is enjoying their week!

I Deserve a Treat!!

Do you think I deserved a treat after THIS?!?!?!
Thursday afternoon, I was told by my coordinator that I received an interview for a Science Teacher position at a local school. I was quite happy...but a little apprehensive and paranoid about it all. I've only been at my current school since January, and only applied for the Teacher position because my current slot was only temporary until August. I have since been told that my job is permanent for next year, so it was a relief to know I have a job. I was apprehensive about starting another job in another school...I feel comfortable in my school, I know the rules/regulations, and I enjoy working with these kids. So I figured I would go ahead and interview, then decide what to do if the job was offered to me. To add insult to injury, my husband was told his shop on Lakenheath is closing, so he'll be out of a job. Because his "actual" job has since been relocated to Ramstein in Germany, we really don't have a home. This means they could send us back to the States early...yippeeeee!!!!!

Sooo.....fast forward to this afternoon. I decide to call the school to confirm the interview date, as I believed it to be Monday. I had to tell my current school that I wouldn't be in and begin preparing for the interview (which included a lesson with a class, a presentation to School Council members, an interview with the head teacher, and a tour with students). Well, much to my complete shock, I'M NOT GETTING AN INTERVIEW!! Apparently my coordinator had cotton in her ears when she asked if I had received an interview, because I didn't!!! So I was already mentally preparing my interview outfit, what lesson I was going to teach, anything I would present to school council members...and I didn't even freakin' have to waste my brain cells!! (In all honesty, with my anger and frustration there was a large glimmer of relief. Now I don't have to worry about anything, and can just finish out the time in England at this school in this job. It's still teaching, and giving me valuable experience while I finish my Master's).

So I treated myself!
Silly me, I went to the Inky Antics website because everything I see Kirsten Dubosque do on her blog makes me want these stamps soooooo much. So I treated myself and picked up my own Petey, a cutie Polar Bear, a wonderful Princess named Emi that I know my niece is going to love seeing on cards, and sayings for all. I had to get this one because he kind of looks like Sammy (my cocker spaniel), and looks like something I would do to him just to see if he'd let me get away with it...and then this one because Sammy and our cat, Arianna, are partners in crime! The final, yet oh so true, is a wonderful stamp that says the following, I'm not lazy! I'm "motivationally impaired" (seeing as how I just got in trouble for being late to work, my motivational impairement is rearing it's ugly head at very inopportune moments. Luckily, I've sucked it back in and replaced it with "I don't want to lose my job" syndrome). I also splurged and got a small package of Prismacolor Pencils, because I played with my neighbor Jen's the other day and just loved how they allowed you to shadow things a heck of a lot better than crayons do. I'm sure my first few experiences with Gamsol should be interesting...but fortunately there are enough tutorials and experienced Prisma gals in blogworld that I'll get the help I need!

No new cards to post right now...I'm working on two swaps that I need to finish this weekend. One is for a swap I signed up for on Splitcoast, all about 'Saying Goodbye to 2006 In Colors'. I'll miss them, but I'm really liking four of the new ones (plus the gray). I might get a pack of cool caribbean to satisfy that craving over the summer though. :-) The second swap is for my SU demonstrator group, and we have to use retiring stamp sets. So I've combined them both for a little inspiration and will do two similar swaps using the same stuff so I feel I truly got my money's worth on all of it. I'll post the swaps when I'm actually finished with them!

Hostess box

I'm sooo glad I procrastinated on the Hostess gift for my April stamp club, because I saw the wonderful post on Nichole Heady's blog about how to make a cute box out of cardstock and it's really neat!! Check her tutorial out here.

Here's my attempt..and I love how it turned out. It's hard to tell on this pic, since the "thank you" covers the lid, but I only used the two firework type stamps from the PaperTrey Green Thumb set in various colors. These stamps really look crisp and clear with Stampin' Up's Classic Ink, and it really makes the stamps POP on here. I also used the crimper to crimp cardstock, then cut it in various sizes to create the bedding for the gift. My hostess Julie will receive two incentive stamps, a Black Stampin' Spot, an eclectic mix of SU ribbon, a ton of brads and eyelets, and a handful of Primas (even though they aren't SU, I enjoy giving out Primas because sometimes they are really hard to come by over here, so it's a nice gift to give anyone!). I will definitely make this box again, as it is a really good size for gift cards as well.

Supplies: (All Stampin' Up unless noted)

Stamps: Green Thumb by PaperTreyInk, Much Appreciated by Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant (possibly my new favorite color!!)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean, Brocade Blue, Rose Red, So Saffron, Black Stazon (on lid)

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Stampin' Sponge, Paper Crimper, Su Brads and eyelets (in hostess gift), non-SU brads on "Thank you" box, ribbon, incentive stamps and primas :-)

Thank you's

PaperTreyInk released a new stamp set at midnight...and I made an order at what would be 4AM EST. They have wonderful new products, including thicker White cardstock (I ordered some just to try it out...I'm partial to Stampin' Up cardstock, but I'll try it!), and new stationary boxes that match the boxes their stamp sets come in! So...at my 4AM order...they had already sold out of the stationary boxes!!!! Obviously PaperTrey is the "it" company right now, but seriously!! (do that in your best Meredith Grey impression) They sold out in 4 hours!!!! On a bright note, another shipment will be arriving on Thursday, so my backordered stationary boxes should ship Friday. And the new stamp set is too cute, with a ladybug theme. I want to be on that Design Team for PaperTrey...but if you want to see some awesome designs, check out the Inkpad Idea Gallery on PaperTrey and you'll see why, well, I'm not on the DT. :-)

On another note...I finally had time to stamp...and managed to knock out 7 Thank You cards for the girls in my Stamp Club. It's been a loooooong stamp club...actually meeting for 10 months (due to three different girls dropping out along the way!). But they all enjoyed coming to our monthly meetings and seeing what my neighbor Jen and I could come up with that was new and exciting (especially considering three of the remaining 7 are SU demos, 1 is debating on signing up, 1 used to be a demo, and 1 probably has more product than I do!!).

So here are the cards I made. I love making 3" by 3" cards, they are just so cute and really easy to make...plus they don't use so much paper. I finally had an opportunity to use the Cuttlebug my hubby got me for my birthday last month, so I used seven different embossing folders for each individual card. How cute are these?!?! To give it a little individuality and to make it look a little distressed, I lightly pressed each sheet after it was Cuttlebugged into a Mellow Moss stamp pad. I love how each card looks unique and has a different personality!!

Supplies: (All Stampin' Up! except for cuttlebug products)

Stamps: Much Appreciated, Simply Said (inside card), Delight in Life (used as a background on the Very Vanilla cardfront)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana

Ink: Mellow Moss, Black Stazon (inside card), Barely Banana (you can "barely" see it, as it is a background image on the "Thank You" piece of the card)

Accessories: Cream Grosgrain ribbon, Silver Eyelets, Cutter Kit, Cuttlebug & Embossing folders

Beate's Challenge

Check out Beate's blog to see her challenge for Blog Candy, where I had to create a card with a specific layout. This was a tad challenging (pun intended!) mostly because I tend to use ribbon on all cards and brads outside of Prima's, but this was still fun to do!

Not all Stampin' Up stuff on this, as I used Prima's a Cuttlebug embossing folder...and then I used retired SU stuff (the paper is from the Winter Mini, and the stamp set is from SAB...but it's one of my favs so I'll continue to use it regardless of it's expiration date!!).

This is my first actual project using the Cuttlebug, which is great, by the way! I love that I can actually get rid of some of my scraps without having to worry about stamps or anything. I have an order of five more embossing folders on the way to me...so hopefully I'll be sharing more Cuttlebug creations in the next few weeks!

Materials:

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, Enchante DS (Winter Mini)

Ink: Pale Plum Craft Ink, Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink

Accessories: Primas, Silver Brads, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Stampin' Sponges, Cutter Kit, Cuttlebug Dots Embossing Folder

I hate when I have no time to stamp!

This week has been absolute chaos. I have two huge projects due for my current Master's class, as well as various responsibilities at my school (including a huge portfolio I have to complete by July for my job). Plus I've been finishing up application packets for two jobs that I wanted to interview for. I wasn't even interviewed for the one at my work...in fact, my headmaster hasn't even told me yet that I didn't get an interview...even though the school secretary let it slip. How rude of him to not tell me! Anyway, keep your fingers crossed, because I'm up for a really neat Science teacher position at a neighboring school. The Science lab and facilities in school are amazing, and I'm soooo excited about the possibility of working there. I'd be teaching classes to all Year groups in the Junior school (which I believe is 4 year groups, probably 3 classes per year). It would be a great experience, and I love science!!! Fingers crossed I'll hear that I'm being interviewed by Tuesday, and then the interviews are the following week. I'm praying for it!!

Just because I feel the need to post a project, this is what I did for my last Stamp Club in April. We completed the small stationary box (I found the template on Splitcoast), which fits six cards and six envelopes. Just because we didn't have enough time, we only did two full cards. I added the third piece, which is just a relatively plain card, with only DS paper. But I think it turned out nicely, and allowed me to use up some of my Cranberry Crisp paper, which I will miss dearly. :-)

Materials: (All Stampin' Up unless noted)

Stamps: Doodle This, Much Appreciated, Fine Lace background

Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron (for extra cards)

Ink: Versamark, Brown Stazon, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Petals Jumbo Wheel, Watercolor Joy Wheel, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Sponges, Brads, Cream Organdy Ribbon, Cranberry Stitched Ribbon, Cutter Kit, Ticket Corner Punch, Marvy Giga Scalloped Square Punch, Marvy Mega Square Punch

Busy Busy Busy

I've been so busy I haven't even been able to think about stamping...let alone accomplish anything! I'm hoping to get time Monday, as it's a Bank Holiday here and the schools are closed. In Britain there aren't holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day: they just throw some Bank Holidays in on Mondays throughout the year. Oh, and Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas. That's it...so I really look forward to having Monday off. But before anyone gets pissy: remember that I'll be working both Thanksgiving and the 4th of July. Boo hoo!

I can't believe I already have over 500 views to this blog! That's just amazing. I've decided I'll have to give some sort of blog candy coming up when I hit a big milestone like 2,500 views. Any suggestions for good blog candy? (And no, I doubt I can get my hands on any Giga Scallops...so don't suggest them!)

I haven't even had time to play with my new Cuttlebug, so hopefully I'll post something using that soon. And I'm pumped because the new PaperTrey set will be released in 10 days, and we don't even have hints yet as to what it is! I know I'll love it...I love all their sets so far. I'll definitely be getting that free set next year. :-)

Off to do homework for my Master's class. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

B-Day Presents for MEEEEEEE!

Well, I finally received the birthday presents my husband ordered, and I'm soooo excited to play with them when I actually have some time! He got me the Cuttlebug (woo hoo!), five embossing folders, and a whole bunch of brads. I'm so excited! My friend Andraea always laughs at me because almost every single card or scrapbook page I make has at least two brads on it...they are my accessory of choice.Anyway, I also recently found a cute little craft store in Ely (where I live) and got their version of the SU Powder Pal for a lot less money...and I picked up some brads there too. I received my PaperTrey order last week, which consisted of the Faux Ribbon set and three of the new ink pads...and this doesn't even count the SU order I placed on Sunday, and the PrimaShare I've just joined that I should receive in June. To add to all of this, my neighbor Jen gave me 10 chipboard coasters she ordered from StarLitStudio...It's a good time to be craftin' in my house!