Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 42 ...
As you know, I've gone back to full-time work after a stamping-filled summer ... new position, new school, same school district. I love my new position and school! I just haven't found that balance between work, home and stamping ... YET. I'm working on it though! Not only have I gone back to work, but Drew started high school, and Allie started college. Hopefully, once everyone is more settled in their routines, I'll find more stamping time! ... (I miss it terribly!)
I stamped this afternoon for the first time in weeks, and started off slow with this simple little card for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #33. I adore the Dasher image ... reminds me of the reindeer decor you can find at Pier One during the holidays. I paired the Dasher image with the new Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Paper from the '09 Holiday Mini Catalog(Sept. 1 - Jan. 4). RECIPE Stamps: Dasher Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty DP ('09 Holiday Mini), Real Red, Soft Suede, and Whisper White CS Ink: Soft Suede Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon Tools: Circle Cutter Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, X-Mas Red Stickles (non-SU)
Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 41 ...
Karen Russell'sScrapbook Room (Snapshots ... {of a good life}.)
Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 40 ...
... to say "hello" and to tell you how much I'm loving my new job! In case you didn't know, I started a new job on Monday ... Library Clerk at a new elementary school. Everyone at my new school is really nice, and am enjoying the work! Can't wait to start meeting the kids! ... they start on Monday. I know, I know, it's not a stamping job ... but as far as hourly paying jobs with benefits go, this one is pretty good!
I have nothing new and creative to share with you (and probably won't for awhile). For your stamping entertainment, watch this video by fellow Catty Cruiser, Linda Heller.
My first day at my new job went great! I'm exhausted tonight, but will be ready for more tomorrow!
Just a quick post to show you a surprise I had this morning ... I've been whining all week about not being at the Stampin' Up! Convention. Turns out, I WAS THERE! ... and Lorri Heiling (my BFF) was there too! ... with our buddy Becky Roberts, Inking Idaho!!!! Go to Becky Roberts' blog, Inking Idaho to read the whole story. Keep checking back throughout the week - she's got more photos and convention stories about the three of us coming!
Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 39 ...
Remember this card? It was chosen by the Pals Paper Arts Design Team as one of their Artist Pick of the Week for PPA1! I am shocked, and honored too! What a great way to end my summer full of creating and stamping! Yes, I go back to work tomorrow (new position, new school) .. and all my unlimited stamping fun is coming to a screeching halt. It has been a blast to be able to create each day and post regularly! Don't be surprised if you don't see me posting for awhile. It's going to take some time to get situated in my new job, going back to work, etc. I will eventually find that balance again to find stamping and blogging time! Thanks for a GREAT summer!
You can see all the details on this card in THIS POST.
RECIPE Paper: Designer Paper and Textured Cardstock (Pumpkin Pie and Tempting Turquoise) from Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' Kit Embellishments: Self-Adhesive Die Cuts from Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' Kit, Tempting Turquoise Playground Designer Button, sentiment from Chit Chat Rub-Ons Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots
Sharing beautiful RAKS (Random Acts of Kindness) from stamping friends ...
From Marian Garcia, Studio M by Marian. Marian's blue version of this awesome card appeared in iPICKS, Week 33 ...A pop-up birthday card for me from Stacey Schafer, Stacey's Stamping Stage ... inside of Stacey's card ...A tri-shutter card for Allie's 18th birthday from Lorri Heiling, Confessions of a Stamping Addict ...A birthday card for Allie by Riley Seegan, our 10 year old niece (assisted by her talented stamper grandma, Norene Riley!) ...A birthday card for me from Wendy Bond, Bond Girl Bliss ...A thank you card from Stephanie Perry ...A beautiful sympathy card acknowledging John's mother's passing from fellow weSTAMPer, Ginny Schembri ...
On Monday, I start a new position at a new school. The school district I work for replaced the certified Librarian positions in their recent budget cuts with a new classified position called a Library Clerk. As a Library Clerk, I'll be doing pretty much everything a certified Librarian does except teach. My training for my new job was back in mid-June which seems so long ago. I've become good friends with several of the Library Clerks at other schools (also newly hired), and today we met for lunch to offer moral support to one another, share ideas, and calm each others' nerves for Monday.
When I saw these little backpacks as the SCS Technique Lover's Challenge #232 this week, I knew my new friends would need one filled with chocolates for "Back to Work"! I used the retired Summer Picnic Designer Paper and HERE is the tutorial.
It's a busy week at our house ... Drew's high school freshman orientation and freshman camp, Allie's 18th birthday, Allie getting four wisdom teeth removed today, getting everyone ready to start school, and I start my new job on Monday! Where DID the summer go?
Our JULY weSTAMP meeting & swap was over a week ago, and I'm finally getting around to posting our projects. This first adorable card is a Make 'n Take project provided by Pam Wood using the Big Shot Scallop Circle for the dress.Our swap theme for this month was to use the new In Colors....THANKS FOR LOOKING!
Today is my daughter Allie's 18th birthday. I can't possibly be old enough to have an adult child! yikes! I took this photo of her this morning while she was getting ready.Here is the card I designed for her ... the pink and the rhinestones are SO HER! ... RECIPE Stamps: Simple Birthday Thanks, Wonderful Favorites Paper: Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay Patterns DP, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, and Pretty In Pink CS (+ Chocolate Chip CS for the cherry stem) Ink: Chocolate Chip and Melon Mambo Embellishments: Self-Adhesive Rhinestones (non-SU), Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon Tools: Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Yes, I'm jumping the gun here with a Halloween card, but couldn't resist using the new Cast-a-Spell Designer Paper! Frankenstein (Batty For You stamp set) is my favorite Halloween image, and this sentiment from the stamp set Smarty Pants always makes me smile! I used Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #76 Sketch.
After I had my card all put together, I realized that maybe I should have more thoughtfully cut the background designer paper with the pumpkins. It bothers me that the orange pumpkins in the print aren't seen on the right and bottom. Does it bother you like it does me? RECIPE Stamps: Batty For You, Smarty Pants Paper: Cast-a-Spell DP, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS Ink: Old Olive and Basic Black Embellishments: 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1" Circle Punches, Modern Label Punch Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
It's been a long time since I've played along with the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS (so many challenges, so little time!). This week's Featured Stamper #130 is Teresa Kline, va.sunshine on SCS. Teresa's Shabby Chic card was featured on iPICKS earlier this summer, and I knew it was the one I had to case! The only things I've changed are the colors and designer paper/cardstock.RECIPE Paper: Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay Patterns DP, Bermuda Bay Textured CS, and Whisper White CS Embellishments: Whisper White 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Melon Mambo Polka Dot 1/2" Grosgrain Ribbon, Chit Chat Whisper White Rub-Ons
Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 38 ...
One of my favorite designers, Mercy Kerin is back creating sketches on her blog, Lord Have Mercy!, every Tuesday! Let me tell ya' ... she can draw one mean sketch! Her sketches are always have so many wonderful layers (right up my alley!). I finally found some stamping time last night to play along with her first comeback sketch, Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #32.
I used the stamp set, Trendy Trees ... along with Autumn Traditions Designer Paper and Soft Suede 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Although I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig (a must for Trendy Trees!), my sentiment looked crooked so I covered it up by using my new Modern Label Punch for the first time (love it!). The sentiment was punched out with the Word Window Punch and placed on top of the Soft Suede Modern Label Punch piece.
The More Mustard buttons are retired but I liked the matted look of them better than the glossy Designer Buttons - for this card anyway. RECIPE Stamps: Trendy Trees Paper: Autumn Traditions DP, Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla CS Ink: Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Elegant Eggplant, and More Mustard Embellishments: 1/2" Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, More Mustard Buttons Tools: Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots
Last week was our July weSTAMP Demonstrator Group meeting and swap. This is the card I made for our In Color themed swap. (I am still photographing and editing the swap cards from other members, and will post asap.) This is a very simple little card measuring 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". I used the new Level 3 Hostess stamp set, Kind & Caring Thoughts, pairing the new In Colors of Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, and Crushed Curry with Pumpkin Pie. My color combo and main image were cased from Jenn Diercks' card HERE. Like Jenn, I stamped off with the Crushed Curry.RECIPE Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts (Level 3 Hostess) Paper: Melon Mambo Textured CS, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White CS Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, and Crushed Curry Embellishments: 1/2" Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
* Round two of the Designer Paper & Ribbon Shares went out in today's mail !!!!
Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 42 ...
