blogger frustration

Well I was going to up load an atc but NOOO its not letting me do that tonight.

grrrr Anyone else have frustrations like this???

I hope everyone is enjoying the blog. I am loving visiting so many others. I don't always leave a long comment but I try to say a little something. on occassion I just visit and don't leave a comment for various reasons. mostly I am at work and not logged in or it wants a verification and I can't always read those for some reason and get frustrated. Anyone else have that problem

let me hear your blog frustrations leave a comment and let me know what drives you crazy.

February Calendar page

Its almost February and I just got my calendar pages done in the nick of time.

I gave some coworkers clipboard calendars with the promise that I would get the other months to them. Looks like they will be getting them just in time for the month.

This is done with the same set I used on the valentine cards NICE MICE by stampin up. the background you can barely see has small tiny hearts another stampin up stamp. the mouse is colored with ink pens and the heart has dimensional magic on it the hearts above it have dimensional magic as well and some sprinkled glitter in them before it dried. HINDSIGHT I would not use that much of it it warps the paper to much. oh well whats done is done.


Are you sick of valentines, pink and red yet? I think I am. Never been much of a PINK gal but then that me. I do have one more idea with hearts hope to have that up tomorrow then I am DONE with pink and hearts for a while.

Some of you may remember the clipboard calendar I posted a while back but in case you are wondering here it is with jan. they are less then 2.00 at walmart and small memo sized clipboards they even have a little hidden hangy thing on it that works really well to hang them on the wall

valentines cards

Yesterday I uploaded the paperclips. Here are the cards that go with them a front and back. tried to upload the picture with the clips on the cards but blogger is being picky today.





Used nice mice from stampin up and hearts are creative memories punches. there is dimensional magic on one of the silver hearts and the bubble hearts.

The scallops are cut from rose paper and under them is a chocolate heart.

I made 20 of these and so glad they are done now. lol Now I need to work on the February calendar pages but only need to make 8 of those. think I might use the same set. Seems I don't have many valentine stamps how did that happen


Today was a gorgeous day and a SNOW DAY for me and my son. No work and no school is a good thing. How come I didn't get more done????

This is a picture I took not far from where I live.

valentine paper clip and snow

After a day of shoveling and digging ourselves and others out of the almost 14 inches of snow we got today it was playtime. I am making about 20 of these along with a card that I am still working on for some valentine swaps.

They are paperclips that are about 3 inches in length (Walmart) the tops are done with a scallop punch on silver paper. then one side has a red punched heart (creative memories) and then the second one is punched in white. Stamped with red from a hero arts stamps (was a large heart liked the design) then embossed with iridescent ice embossing powder. the other side is a small amount of ctmh sculpting foam then stamped with a ctmh heart stamp.

I used pop dots to adhere the scallops to the paper clip.

Here is a picture of the birdbath in the backyard taken this morning. since then we have had several more inches of snow With more to come tonight. The last time we saw this much snow was in 1993. So far we have exceeded our annual average of snow. But best of all my boss called and tomorrow is an official SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!! so that means I get to play more.

DUNCAN doesn't like the snow much but was very happy we made a pathway at the end of the yard for him.







Hey and that's me in front of the pile of snow almost as tall as I am we are running out of places to put it.

snowman revised

Well I like the newer version with snow added. Unlike below with new snow.
my biggest dilemma was what to use. I had some white embossing powder that I had tried but it was over 10 years old and a flip top lid and had gone bad. Yes it EP does go bad if not stored completely air tight. it made my white look yellow.

So in search for the perfect white I posted a note on SCS
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315649
these people are ALWAYS soo helpful with tons of ideas.

and had lots of advice. well I couldn't find some of the things locally and since I needed to get 10 of these done fast I found some liquid pearls in white opal and it worked out great. so now I just need to put the other 9 together and get them in the mail. yahoo

Stamp shopping in seattle

Isn't she grand looking? even at night in the middle of a rainstorm

Well have you missed me?? My husband and I met up with a friend I met on split coast stampers and her husband and we painted the town red, white and green dollar bills.

We even managed to sneak in one stamp store. Amuse. their only retail store devoted to them in is in north Seattle. About 30 blocks from the zoo. Yahoo.


They have some of the cutest stamps. while you can see most of the samples on line its much funner in person. and much easier to spend. are these not the cutest things. dang should have got more when their they would have been a perfect valentine swap card. but my basket was full of goodies already.


Here I am. Yes it was cold there by the way but on this day we had a bit of sunshine YEAH

for more information and exact location you can find them here:
http://www.amuseartstamps.com/

disclaimer: nope no kick backs just an average Joe passing the word on of another place to spend the green

Penguin Pants Rubber stamps

YEAH their site is finally up and running.

http://www.penguinpantsrubberstamps.com/

They are some rubber stamp friends that are local to me and its an awesome team. Teresa and Jan are smart and fun people with tons of talent and enthusiasm. Jan's daughter Anali is a very talented artist and has created some great designs. this is just the start of something awesome I hope.

This chicken card I did is one of their stamps I know some of you saw this on the 12 days of Christmas I had. hmm and that card has yet to be claimed by puncscrap hello send me your email (stampmouse@comcast.net) and it will be flying your way.

Jan and Teresa also taught a book class which I took and this is what I did. I filled it with fall pictures and pictures of my son 'sniff" who is a senior this year.

thanks for sharing some excitement with me. I feel like I know celebrities or something. Actually they are just great people and I am so happy for them and hoping their new adventure turns out great.

as a side note: i will be away from my computer for a few days but hope to have something new up on Tuesday or Wednesday

snowman the kittie way

well its a start. The tree is by stampin up the snowman by great impressions Stamped the snowman in black on watercolor paper. then I added the trees stamped with olive green and masking the snowman so I could get behind him. daubed some olive green on the trees and behind them to fill it in. colored in the snowman using the fine tip of stampin up pens and some water color pen on the boots and hats. I sponged some bashful blue in the sky. I used the watercolor pen and added a little brown on the trees and blended the shadows a bit.

Things I don't like : the little ornament on in his hand. going to take that out for the next 10 that I do for a swap. and the white that you can't see here I actually daubed craft white all over the place. Need to find some good white ep. the white ep I had looks yellow when heated.


edited to add: I learned this from Kittie on split coast stampers she is an awesome stamper check out her blog for more information
http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/kittiekraft/

falling snow

Well no time to stamp tonight so posting something from a while ago. A few days ago I showed this stencil done with white craft ink. this time its bleach. really makes it looks like falling snow I think. The words are letters by ctmh very small letters I should add. The green is a bit of chalk to add just a splash to it

hopefully tomorrow I will have a newer card for you.

Image challenge

In one of my stamp group we have a monthly image that we have to do something with. this months was pretty tough. (and silly me did not take a starting picture) The image is pretty much all above except some laying.

Colored with stampin up pens. I wanted to show some shading and since it wasn't on paper that was conducive to water coloring I just retraced the lines (not easy on the green parts) with a shade darker marker. hmmm copics would have been cool for this. going to have to get some of those.

I thought about putting a saying on the front but just couldn't cover up all that foliage

Big giveaway

ok so I am sucker for this type of thing

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

The Prize:

The winner will receive a brand new
Hamilton Beach 4.5-qt. Eclectrics Stand Mixer, Pineapple Yellow!!

About the mixer:

From Hamilton Beach’s “Eclectrics” line, this all-metal stand mixer comes with a host of accessories - a Flat Beater for cakes and cookies, a Dough Hook for bread and a Wire Whisk for whipped cream or pudding. The 4.5-qt. stainless steel bowl comes with a Pouring Shield that helps prevent splattering while in operation. The pouring shield has a built-in chute for adding ingredients. Powered by 400 watts, the stand mixer has a two-way mixing action to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mix. The quick-release, tilt-up head assists when removing the bowl. 9 x 14 x 14-in. When you’re ready for a kitchen re-do, don’t call in the carpenters! Instead, “counterscape” your kitchen with Hamilton Beach’s retro-designed, affordably priced electrics in happy, sun-saturated colors. Their “Eclectrics” line includes updates to those classic appliances from the 1950s. All of their “Eclectrics” are available in six colors: Apple Green, Moroccan Red, Pineapple Yellow, Intrigue Blue, Sugar White and Licorice Black.

Favorite card you did in 2007

Ok time to show off YOUR stuff. post a comment with a link to your favorite card for 2007 . and why it was your favorite.

Mine is this giraffe with a sun Simple card but I just love how it comes out and it can be used for just about anything.

blog winners

ok you have a couple of days to email me if you see your name on my list contact me at stampmouse@comcast.net to get your card and small prize.


1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S - mailing 1/7/08
6- atcs - Michelle * mailing 1/5/08
7 - envelop card - Lorraine mailing 1/8/08
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy * mailing 1/5/08
9 - Spirelli - Jennifer Hodge * mailing 1/5/08
10 -Stencil - tami in oh
11 -buffe's flower - Diane mailing 1/11/08
12 - butterfly -Aunt T * mailing 1/9/08

Time to play with the new toys

My first real all cricut card. I got my carts from creative express and used the animal card and the celebrations card to make this card.

I think this machine is going to come in handy. Though it will never replace my stamping.


We are knee deep in snow here literally. I am sooooo sick of snow and shoveling. Hope everyone is surviving the winter. And if you are a winter lover, well I do like the look of it just hate shoveling and driving in it.

Now off to think up what I am going to do for tomorrows blog that or tackle the many swaps on my list

Clipboard calendar

I am making calendars. YES very late but at least they got January in time for the 1st will have to do the rest of the months later.

I made 10 of these so far. the mini clipboard was found at Walmart. they come in pink, green and clear. took me 3 Walmarts to get enough. they are less then $2.00

For this one I stamped the close to my heart snowflakes in silver encore and silver brilliance. the words by hero arts were stamped in white colorbox I also did some versa mark smaller snowflakes as well but they don't show up well in the picture.

the calendars I adapted from a file found on the split coast stampers site and used small clear adhesive photo corners to put it on there so I can later change them out.



Don't forget to check the winners list from yesterday's post. still missing a couple addresses

the winners - I got my bug

Well my 12 days of christmas are over and we have our last name. If you see your name and don't see a mailing by it please contact me to get your card and small prize at stampmouse@comcast.net

Thanks everyone for playing in my blog candy. I will be having more cards and stuff up as much as possible so stay tuned


1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S - mailing 1/7/08
6- atcs - Michelle * mailing 1/5/08
7 - envelop card - Lorraine mailing 1/8/08
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy * mailing 1/5/08
9 - Spirelli - Jennifer Hodge * mailing 1/5/08
10 -Stencil - tami in oh
11 -buffe's flower - Diane mailing 1/10/08
12 - butterfly -Aunt T * mailing 1/9/08


Well for christmas I got a cricut and today I just got my cuttlebug and some carts for the cricut. Doing the happy dance. but I am pooped today to tired to even play with them. so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

well just have to have some picture on here right?? here is a picture of my dog Duncan. He doesn't like the snow (like his mom too) and he is saying is it time to go in yet??

day 12 - split butterfly

Wasn't really sure what to call this. All stamps are stampin up.
The base of the card is rolled with the wheel. the paper is cut long ways 4 x 11 1/2.
2 cuts are made I tried t show them here. basically opposite corners are cut diagonally 1/2 to the center. These will slip together to close the card


Added a butterfly and put glitter around the edges.

So Same rules as always here are the winners so far. comment back and you could be the next winner.Last day of the 12 days of Christmas. those that do not see a * or a mail date please contact me at stampmouse@comcast.net with your snail mail address so I can send your card and a small prize.

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S - mailing 1/7/08
6- atcs - Michelle * mailing 1/5/08
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy * mailing 1/5/08
9 - Spirelli - Jennifer Hodge * mailing 1/5/08
10 -Stencil - tami in oh
11 -buffe's flower - Diane
12 - butterfly -

day 11 = Buffe's Paper Flowers

All stamps are by stampin up, the colors are a bit off on this one sorry. Used the circle punchs (4 sizes) from creative memories to make the flowers. they are rather simple you just punch (make sure 2 sided paper used) and then crunch up to make a flower. I liked adding the brad to the middle to hold together.

You can use any kind of shape really to make these but for mine I was going for a rose look


So Same rules as always here are the winners so far. comment back and you could be the next winner. only a few more days left of my 12 days of Christmas. those that do not see a * or a mail date please contact me at stampmouse@comcast.net with your snail mail address so I can send your card and a small prize.

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S
6- atcs - Michelle * mailing 1/5/08
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy * mailing 1/5/08
9 - Spirelli - Jennifer Hodge * mailing 1/5/08
10 -Stencil - tami in oh
11 -
12 -

day 10 - Stencil magic

Hope this was worth the extra day wait. I love this card. The background is a dream weaver stencil (shown below) on black paper and I daubed on stampin up craft white which needs to dry so you don't smear it.

the elk is another stencil by dream weaver. This time I put on black and put stencil paste over top. gold in this case. It doesn't take very much and make sure you run pull up on the stencil lightly and then RINSE immediately this stuff isn't good for brass I guess. I ended up making 15 of these because I needed some thank you cards. Most are still in pieces all over my desk like the spirelli project. Ugh and I need to do 2 more days worth of projects.

The tree stencil is one of my favorites. You can also spray bleach on it instead of daubing and you get the snow falling feeling but my bleach bottle was not cooperating with me today.


So Same rules as always here are the winners so far. comment back and you could be the next winner. only a few more days left of my 12 days of Christmas

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S
6- atcs - Michelle * mailing 1/5/08
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy * mailing 1/5/08
9 - Spirelli - Jennifer Hodge * mailing 1/5/08
10 -Stencil ?????
11 -
12 -

day off surprise!!!!

Ok day 1o is still in pieces and wet so will have to wait one more day for it. That gives you more chances to comment on day 9 spirelli.

Did I ever mention that besides the card there is a small surprise coming with it?? hmm don't think I did. well hurry up and comment and send me your addresses (stampmouse@comcast.net) for the winners. Kelly and Lenore yours left my hands today

here is the list of winners so far:

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S
6- atcs - Michelle
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy
9 - Spirelli - ???
10 -
11 -
12 -
note day 9's winning card will be cleaned up a bit from the one here.

Day 9 - Spirelli

Well we are coming down the home stretch on my 12 days of Christmas. Today's card doesn't scan very well nor could I get a picture of it so hopefully you can see what its like. Its called spirelli and I have to make 8 for a swap I am in. This is my prototype though I might put some gold around the edges to spice it up a bit.

Basically Spirelli
is wrapping threads around an object. On the card I used 2 different sizes of suns punched out of gold paper and stars punched out of silver paper. wrapped in either silver or gold embroidery thread . You can find more information about this technique here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=j7w-p_RKm48C&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=spirelli+directions&source=web&ots=z18F7w0Qfa&sig=xjCUJomMCYW6MVq_SoEWFjNXVhQ#PPT1,M1
and here:
http://rubberstampingdiva.com/?p=97

I used a stampin up set for this and stamped the moon in silver encore then embossed with clear EP. And gold encore for the saying and clear EP embossed. Stippled (yes I love to stipple) some dark blue marvy pad around for misty sky.

So Same rules as always here are the winners so far. comment back and you could be the next winner. only a few more days left of my 12 days of Christmas

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling * mailed 1/3/08
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore * mailed 1/3/08
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S
6- atcs - Michelle
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk - Mindy
9 - Spirelli - ???
10 -
11 -
12 -
note day 9's winning card will be cleaned up a bit from the one here.

day 8 - chalks

well just one photo shot today. to tired and lazy. Did a 1/2 scrapbooking thing which was a lot of fun. but tonight I needed a sympathy card so this is what I came up with. Used versa mark on the background then added some light pink (sorry didn't write the colors down this time) and went over the versa mark to pop them a little more. on cream I stamped the butterfly from Stampin' Up's Something Marvelous set, with versa mark then rubbed on a darker pink. love how that sticks.

Then added the saying and some little heart brads I had. Decided it needed a little something else so did the paper piercing around the butterfly and added some white gel pen then pop dotted it on the paper.

I should note that when ever I make a card I almost always make at least 2 figure it takes 1/2 sheet of paper might as well use the other half.

So Same rules as always here are the winners so far. comment back and you could be the next winner. only a few more days left of my 12 days of christmas

1- chef - kellys artistic journaling *
2 - chick - punkscrap
3 - dolly mama - lenore *
4 - cabin - Giulia from italy
5 - poppies - Jeanne S
6- atcs - Michelle
7 - envelop card - Lorraine
8- butterfly chalk -