Blog Candy from Creating with Chrissy!

Go here, to check out Creating with Chrissy if you haven't already. She just hit 60,000 hit mark and is giving away some awesome blog candy. She also has a great blog with lots of inspiration and a weekly challenge. Check it out!

The Centsible Sawyer giving away $100 Walmart Gift card

Check out the Centsible Sawyer here and sign up to win a $100 Walmart gift card. It would sure help out with the Christmas shopping! She also gives great couponing and other saving advice.

Christmas Cards

These two cards I CASEd from Lori Davis. She had these on her site back in July, for a Christmas in July stamp camp. I just got my Lovely as a Tree stamps from Stampin' UP!, so, here are my versions. The first one uses Sage Shadow and Handsome Hunter cardstock and ink. It uses the reverse masking technique. My first try at that and I think it turned out pretty good. I made the mask for the center image by tracing an oval in a template that I had and then cutting it out. Then I stamped the trees in Sage Shadow and sponged very lightly with the same ink. The main image is stamped using Handsome Hunter. The sentiment and the snowflakes are from the Snow Swirled stamp set by Stampin' UP! also. To finish it off I sponged Sage Shadow around the edge and added the brads in the corner. The second card is really sparkly, but you can't really see the sparkle in the scan. I stamped the trees with Stazon black. I made a mask for the moon and the snow and then sponged Brilliant blue over the sky area. Once that was dry, I covered the entire card front with clear embossing ink and embossed it with iridescent ice ep. The blue transferred some to the snow and the moon, but I think it just looks like it is supposed to highlight it. I really love how it turned out. Thanks Lori!

This card I CASEd from Mary Jo, you can see her card here. I used my new Snow Swirled set from Stampin' UP! I embossed the Christmas tree with white embossing powder with silver glitter in it on Handsome Hunter cardstock. The sentiment is stamped with Handsome Hunter ink and then I used my scallop scissors to make the scallop around it. The white ribbon is satin and came from my stash. Thanks for the inspiration Mary Jo! If you haven't checked out her site, you really should, she is a great inspiration!

Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #46

Here is my version of Mary Jo's TechnoStamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch #46. The Noel stamp is by PSX and the holly leaf in the background is by Stampin' UP! I used Baroque Burgundy, Handsome Hunter and More Mustard cardstock. The flower I got from a Christmas flower arrangemnet. I embossed the Noel with copper embossing powder and then colored the images in with my blender pen and ink pads. Thanks for looking!

Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #44

Today is Monday and I actually took time to stamp a tag. The tag is the Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #44 . I went with a Christmas theme because Christmas will be here before we know it! I used SU stamps and traditional red and green cardstock. The tag was cut out using my sizzix. The gold snowflakes are popped up to add a little dimension. Thanks for looking!

Tip Junkies 12 days of give aways

Tip Junkies is giving away super gifts for 12 days. If you haven't checked them out, click here to do it. They are celebrating Mom-Preneur's. It's a great place to get ideas and to check out what other mom's are making. A great place to find hand made gifts too!

Pretty Pressings Blog candy

Check out Pretty Pressings here to check out the blog candy Claudia is giving away. While you're there, take a look around. Some very pretty projects and some great stamps!

More blog candy - check out Kristen at Scrap-Creations

I just found Kristen's blog at Scrap-Creations and she is giving away blog candy for reaching 1,000 hits. Check her out here and the blog candy she's giving away and then check out her very cute cards!

Sweet 'N Sassy Blog Anniversary Candy

I've been super busy the last week, so haven't had much time to read my blogs or stamp. While trying to catch up today, I came across a post about Sweet N Sassy Stamps Anniversary. So, stop by their store and check out the amazing blog candy they are giving away. You won't want to miss this, they are giving away 6 stamps sets! WOW!

Techno Stamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #42

It's been over a week since I have stamped and posted. But, today I couldn't resist Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge. You can see her sketch and the other player's here. My card is turned sideways from the sketch, but I knew I wanted to use my scarecrow stamp. Isn't he cute? I'm trying to get out of the Halloween mode and into Fall/Thanksgiving mode. The scarecrow is from one of my favorite retired Stampin' UP! fall sets, Harvest Hello. The background and the sentiment are also from SU. I used Really Rust and black cardstock with the background paper. The scarecrow is stamped on some textured cardstock out of my stash, not sure who the maker is. I colored him in using my blender pen and ink pads after stamping him in basic black.

Thanks for looking!

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #40

This is Mary Jo's Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch #40. I did finish it yesterday, but my kids took over the computer, so I didn't get it scanned until this morning after they went to school.

My card is made with the Stampin' UP set Inspired by Nature and the sentiment is from the set More Great Greetings. I stamped the flowers on natural c/s with versamark and then used chalk to color them in. Then I cut the c/s out with deckle scissors. I used my close to cocoa ink pad to distress the edge and then added some brown chalk and sponged a little so saffron ink to brighten the edge a little. The circle with the sentiment was die cut with my sizzix, stamped with pumpkin ink and then the edges were distressed as above. I then sponged the entire circle with so saffron ink to give it some punch. I layered it on pumpkin c/s and cut that out with scallop scissors. The close to cocoa background c/s was stamped with Stampin' UP! b/g stamp Script. I again used versamark ink and then brushed brilliant gold PearlEx over it until I had the look I was going for. It has a subtle shine. The whole card was layered on pumpkin c/s. Then lastly I added some natural rafia and tied it in a knot. The card measures 6 1/4 X 5". Thanks for looking!

My New ETSY Shop

I have just set up a shop to sell my cards and other stamped projects. You can find it here. The name of my shop is Stamping Susan's Shop. To find me using the Seller's username search, type in StampingSusan. I added a link to the right sidebar. A lot of the cards that I have featured here on my blog are now for sale. If you visit and don't see a project that you are interested in buying, just let me know. But, please be patient, I'm still figuring out all the features of ETSY. My pictures, in the listing have the tops cut off. WHY?! I will try to figure it out soon. To see the entire card or other project, just click on the picture and you will see the entire picture. Hopefully I will get this fixed quickly. Thanks for looking!

MOJO Monday Sketch #56

This is the first time I have joined in the MOJO Monday sketch challenge at Poetic Artistry. This was the sketch. This is the card that I came up with. I have been in the mood to use my Christmas stamps and I had some left over snowflake paper, so there ya go.The snowmen are from the Stampin' UP! set Great Groupings. The Merry Christmas is part of a sentiment stamp I bought years ago from DOTS. I added some silver and while snowflakes as my embellishment. Then decided to add the blue snowflake with a brad at the bottom. I added glitter and liquid applique to the snowballs and just glitter to the accents on the snowmen. Thanks for looking!

Techno Stamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #39

This is Mary Jo's Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Callenge #39.

I'm a little late on the Monday Lunchtime Sketch. Yesterday was one of those days... So, here is my version of the sketch. I need to get in the Halloween spirit because my kids are bugging me about getting costumes and candy. So, here is the first Halloween card I've made this year. The witch stamp is from the stamp set Just for Fun by Stampin' UP! The sentiment is from Print Works. Thanks for Looking!

Monday Lunchtime Sketch #38

This is Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch #38. I'm a little late posting, but I had some computer issues yesterday. So, here is my card. I used the snowman from Just For Fun, the Snowflakes and Sentiment are from Penguin Pals, and the background used the snowman wheel. I used Brilliant Blue and Tempting Turquoise c/s and ink. Then added glitter to the snowflakes that the snowman is holding and embossed the sentiment with silver ep. Thanks for looking!

Bookwormabella Friendship Card

This is Bookwormabella! I really love her! I added some Stampin' UP! stamps - the tea cups and books on the background paper and the sentiment. The background was done by stamping in versamark on white c/s and then brayering rose red over it using my foam brayer. Directly behind Bella is a background paper made using a friendship b/g stamp by Inkadinkadoo. It is also stamped in rose red. I stamped Bella in rose red and then watercolored her in with a blender pen and my rose red ink pad. I then cut her out and mounted her on grey c/s and cut her out again to leave a shadow behind her. Friendship was embossed using silver e/p. Thanks for looking!

Symptoms of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

I am adding this to my blog, because DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary embolism) are two more medical conditions that need prompt and even emergency treatment. It is important to know what symptoms to look for. The following is from Web MD.



Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis -- a blood clot in a deep vein -- may be difficult to identify. That's because deep vein thrombosis symptoms are similar to many other health problems.
If you're at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), know your risks and stay alert to DVT symptoms. If you have symptoms, learn what you can do to confirm a diagnosis.
What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in a calf or thigh muscle. DVT can partly or completely block blood flow, causing chronic pain and swelling. It may damage valves in blood vessels, making it difficult for you to get around. A blood clot can also break free and travel through your blood to major organs, such as your lungs or heart. There, it can cause damage and even death within hours.
Signs and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Half of all DVT cases cause no symptoms. If you do have any of the DVT symptoms below -- especially if they occur suddenly -- call your doctor right away:
Swelling in one or both legs
Pain or tenderness in one or both legs, which may occur only while standing or walking
Warmth in the skin of the affected leg
Red or discolored skin in the affected leg
Visible surface veins
Leg fatigue
If a blood clot breaks free and travels to your lungs it's called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal. Pulmonary embolism may not cause symptoms, but if you ever suffer sudden coughing, which may bring up blood; sharp chest pain; rapid breathing or shortness of breath; or severe lightheadedness, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.




Pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of a major blood vessel (artery) in the lung, usually by a blood clot. In most cases, the clots are small and are not deadly, but they can damage the lung. But if the clot is large and stops blood flow to the lung, it can be deadly. Quick treatment could save your life or reduce the risk of future problems.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are:
Sudden shortness of breath.
Sharp chest pain that is worse when you cough or take a deep breath.
A cough that brings up pink, foamy mucus.
Pulmonary embolism can also cause more general symptoms. For example, you may feel anxious or on edge, sweat a lot, feel lightheaded or faint, or have a fast heart rate or palpitations.
If you have symptoms like these, you need to see a doctor right away, especially if they are sudden and severe. Know your risk factors.
In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot in the leg that breaks loose and travels to the lungs. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin is not likely to cause problems. But having blood clots in deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) can lead to pulmonary embolism.
Other things can block an artery, such as tumors, air bubbles, amniotic fluid, or fat that is released into the blood vessels when a bone is broken. But these are rare.

Pocket Silhouettes

This card was made with Pockect Silhouettes and Script background stamps. The ink and c/s colors are So Saffron and Certainly Celery. The background paper is by Stampin' UP! I cut the circles out using my Sizzix. Thanks for looking!

I decided to add this to my blog too, because strokes are another medical emergency that need medical intervention immediately to increase the chances of not only survival, but also to decrease the chances of permanent damage. Knowing these warning signs could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

1) Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2) Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3) Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4) Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5) Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

* Not all of the warning signs occur in every stroke. Do NOT ignore the signs of a stroke even if they go away!

What to do

1)Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this important question later.

2)If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical service (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can quickly be sent for you.

3)If you're with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or the EMS. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.

Things to Think About

1)Always be prepared for an emergency.

2)Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.

3)Know (in advance) which hospital or medical facility is nearest your home or office.

4)Keep all your medical information in an easily accessible place, so that you can grab it and go. This includes your complete medical/surgical history (including hospital stays with the dates and what they were for), what medications you are currently taking (keep this updated when you have a change in your medications), a list of your allergies, especially to medications and what reactions you have to them, and a list of all of your doctors and their phone numbers. This information is very important and can impact how quickly the doctors can start your care. It's also not unusual to forgot important details like this when you are under stress.

5)If you have children or an adult that needs taken care of, make these arrangements ahead of time. Make sure they know who their emergency caretaker is. Have the name, phone number and address written down, so their is no question who that person is.

6)If you have pets, know who is willing to care for them if you are admitted to the hospital. Once you are settled in the hospital, give them a call.

For more stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE or visit their Web site.

*most of the above information is from the American Heart Association website. Please check there for more information.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Yesterday was an unsettling and sad day for us. Our cousin (in-law) Lia lost her mom to what we think was a heart attack. She had no history of heart or lung disease and no family history either. She had not been sick. It was sudden and definitely not expected. Lia, her mom, her sister and her aunt did not know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. She was not having typical chest pain, which is not unusual for women. So, in her memory I want to list the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. This is according to the American Heart Association website and I have added my comments in ( ).

1)Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. (There's an elephant sitting on my chest.)
2)Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3)Shortness of breath. This feeling may occur with or without chest discomfort.
4)Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (Indigestion or a worsening of GERD).

I also want to stress that you don't necessarily have to have all or even more than one of these symptoms to be having a heart attack. You don't even have to have chest pain or pressure to be having a heart attack. One of the biggest reasons that people don't seek immediate help is that they aren't sure it's really a heart attack or they think they will be embarrased by going to the ER and then it is something simple. It is much better to call 911 and get the the ER and have them tell you that it's not a heart attack or stroke or whatever, than to stay home and it really is a heart attack, etc. Remember the faster you get help the better the outcome.

The other thing I want to urge all of you to do, besides making sure that all of your family and friends know the symptoms of a heart attack, is to take a CPR class. I can't tell you how important this is. If someone you love needs help, you want to be able to provide it. Yes, the 911 operator will try to talk you through CPR, but if you've had the class, it will give you the confidence to do CPR effectively until help arrives. It's not a hard class and you can take it with a friend or family member. Check with the American Heart Association, The Red Cross, your local hospital or your community center to find a class near you. You will never regret taking the class. If you have taken a CPR class, good for you! If you need a refresher course, take one. Even doctors and nurses have to retake CPR every two years.

Just For Fun Snowman - WSC59

I made this card in response to Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #59. This is the first time that I have participated in this challenge and I had a good time doing it. This is my favorite snowman stamp and I found the snowflake paper in my stash and added some coordinating c/s. I did glitter the snowflakes that the snowman is holding, but I'm not sure that you can see it in the scan. I tried several ribbons and finally decided that the white fuzzy fiber would bring some softness and texture to the card. The sentiment is from the SU retired set Penguin Pals. I punched a snowflake out of silver c/s and then added a snowflake eyelet over it. Thanks for looking!

September Stamp Club Card

I made this card with one of the card kits that I received this month for the stamp club that I belong to. I used Pocket Silhouettes (my newest stamp set) and stamped the background pieces with my Versamark pad. Then stamped the main image with Old Olive ink and the sentiment in black. I used my wave scissors since I don't have the scallop punch. Then I added some white ribbon that I had in my stash. Thanks for looking!

Belli Challenge #35 Metal Edged Tags

I made this snowman card in response to Chris's Belli Challenge #35. The challenge was to use a metal or faux metal tag. I found some vellum tags in different sizes in my stash. So, I pulled the largest one out and then went looking for a stamp that would fit. I decided on the snowman from the Stampin' UP! set Just for Fun (retired). I stamped him in Stazon Black and then colored in the snowman on the back. I added a piece of white c/s behind the tag and added the snowflake eyelet. The snowflake paper was a scrap out of my paper stash - not sure who made it. The sentiment stamp is from an old DOTS set called Christmas Fun - one of the first sets I ever bought. The bow of course gave me fits, but I think it turned out o.k. Check out all the other participants to by checking out Chris's blog, Creating with Chrissy. Thanks for looking!

Check out Cammie's Heart to Heart Blog Candy!

As most of you may have already heard Cammie designed a beautiful stamp set for Gina K Designs called Whimsical Autumn . She is donating 100% of her profits to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of her Grandmother. And because World Alzheimer's day is this week, she is giving away blog candy. A bunch of companies have donated $1000 worth of stamping goodies! And she asked some of her stamping friends to donate cards they have stamped. This is an Amazing prize! Please go to her blog to check it out. Some of the prizes include: My Favorite Things: $50 gift certificate. Gina K Designs : $50 gift certificate. Stamping Bella: $50 gift certificate. Beate Johns (Beate), Cambria Turnbow (Cambria), Charmaine Ikach (Charmwarm) are just some of the lovely women who donated cards. Don't miss out on this wonderful blog candy and the chance to do something to feel good. My card that is pictured below is going to be mailed today to The Staff at the Artman Home 250 N. Bethlehem PikeAmbler, PA 19002 - these are the caregivers that took care of Cammie's grandmother.

Monday Lunchtime Sketch - TSSC36

Here is my version of Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch #36. I changed the ovals to circles so the cupcakes would fit. The cupcakes are from the SU set Just for Fun. The background sheet I made by rolling a birthday party wheel across my Fresh Greens Kaleidacolor pad. Then I used a blender pen and the K-pad to color in the cupcakes. Great sketch! Thanks Mary Jo for the challenge.

Creating with Chrissy Belli Challenge #34 (CBC34)

This week Chris's Belli Challenge was to use anything that is a square to embellish your card. Here is my version. I used Inspired by Nature and Year-Round Cheer stamps and some left over scrapping paper. My square embellishment is a slide holder. I have a bunch of these lying around and have really never used them. So, this was a great challenge for me.

Thanks for looking! :)

Stamp Club Cards

I belong to a long distance monthly stamp club. These two cards are made with the card kits that I received for last month. I didn't have the exact stamps, so I have put my own twist on them.

Thanks for looking!

Creating with Chrissy has Blog Candy!

Chris at Creating with Chrissy is giving away Blog Candy in celebration of reaching 40,000 hits! Check it out at her website. She is giving away her own personal designed stamp set, Autumn Blessings. It looks like a great stamp set, so go and check it out!

Monday Sketch Challenge - TSSC25

This is a card I made for Mary Jo's Monday Lunch Time Sketch Challenge #35. I used Merci and Wonderful Words from Stampin' UP! as well as a piece of scrap paper from my stash. I used Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and So Saffron ink and card stock.

Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch #34

It is late on Wednesday, but here is a Monday Sketch card. The challenge came from Mary Jo at Techno Stamper. See the sketch at the right. I used Sweet Dreams from Stampin' UP! and Friendship background stamp from Inkadinkadoo. The background scrap paper is an old sheet from my scrap pile from Stampin' UP! I also used Green Galore and Pink Passion ink and cardstock. I punched a flower and added a flower eyelet with a silver brad for the middle. The white ribbon is some that came off of a gift and I saved for just a project like this. Thanks for the challenge Mary Jo, I enjoyed participating!

Belli Challenge - CBC33

Every Wednesday Chris Dickinson of Creating with Chrissy posts a challenge to use an embellishment that is lying around your stamp room not being used. This week was fibers - something that I have a lot of and don't use nearly enough. So, I jumped on this challenge to decorate my reading journal. I thought that Bookwormabella was the perfect stamp to use for this project. The scrapping paper is also something that has been in a drawer for a LONG time and so I added it to the project as well. I used chocolate chip and creamy caramel card stock to compliment the scrap paper. The beads are recycled from my daughter, Kaitlin's stash.

BLOG CANDY from Bunny Zoes

Bunny Zoe is offering Blog Candy for reaching 20,000 hits on her blog! Check out her very cute Snowman card and the blog candy that she is giving away by clicking the link below.

Altered Mini Composition Notebook

This is a mini composition notebook that I altered for a VC Rocks swap. I used Looks Like Spring Stamp set and punch by Stampin' UP! These are fun to make and are great for a quick and easy handmade gift.

Family Artwork

My dd, Kaitlin, painted me a picture for Mother's Day. After I framed it, I let it sit on my dresser until now. I added some of my rubber stamped artwork and hung them in our family room. Here they are! Didn't she do an awesome job!

Using up "old" Stuff

The background of this card was cut from a piece of 12x12 cardstock that I had made as a background for a scrapbook page, but when I got to the bottom row, I went crooked. I remade the page and did use it for a scrapbook page for one of my boys. This was 3+ years ago. The sheet that I messed up, has been sitting in a drawer that long. I knew I could use it for something some day. :) So, as I was looking through my stash trying to find something to use up. I picked this up and then looked through to find some stamps that would fit in the squares. The sets I used were Little Shapes and Party Animals both by Stampin' UP! The ink colors are Bliss Blue, Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Barely Banana, and YoYo Yellow. I think it made a cute, simple card.

Ink Pad Watercoloring

These two cards I made for a VC card contest. They didn't win, but I love them anyway. This is one of my favorite "old" SU sets, Toile Blossoms. I used my ink pads and blender pens to water color the flowers. The card on the left uses Lovely Lilac and Garden Green. The one on the right uses Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, and Sage Shadow. I embossed the greetings on both cards. I added some glitter to the petals on the card on the right, although it doesn't show up too well in the scan.Not sure yet who will receive these cards, but I hope they like them as much as I do.

Monochromatic Mother's Day Card

This is a Monochromatic Card I made for Mother's Day. It uses a background stamp by Anna Griffin and the sentiment and flower stamp by Stampin' UP! I used Not Quite Navy card stock and ink. The ribbon was a piece of satin ribbon I found in my stash that matched perfectly. I think the monochromatic color adds an elegance to the card.

Pocket Card

This is a pocket card that I CASED from Diana Soling's blog. It uses the stamp set Looks Like Spring. One of my favorite colors is Lovely Lilac and I paired this with So Saffron and Sage Shadow.

This is a card I made using old supplies. The background is a K-pad brayered over glossy. It has been in my stash a long time, so I brought it out and embossed the sunflowers from Harvest time with white detail embossing powder. Then I embossed friendship from Wonderful Words with a bronze embossing powder. Trimmed the glossy card and added it to a coordinating card. Found some fibers from my stash that coordinated with the background and tied them at the top of the card. This turned this old background piece into a fun fall card.

This card I made with one of my favorite sets, Natural Beauty and I used one of my favorite colors, Perfect Plum. So, of course I used one of my favorite embellishments, eyelets. I used the black and white to frame and pull the card together. This was a fun card for me to make, because it used some of my favorite things and it wasn't made on a deadline for a swap, it was just because I wanted to. So, a challenge to you, is to pull out some of your favorites and make a card or project, just because! Hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Masking

This is a bookmark that I made to send out as a RAK to all the Florida VC Rocks members. To make the background, I made circle masks. I stamped the plaid stamp over these masks. After removing them, I stamped the flower stamps in the white areas and added a brown spot for the flower center. Then I stamped the friend stamp and the tiny little butterflies. Then to add something extra, I punched out flowers in coordinating card stock colors - picked these colors from the eyelash fiber I wanted to use - glued them down. To finish this off I added the ribbon and fiber. These were really a fun project, especially since I love bookmarks!

I hope all the ladies that received them enjoyed them too!

Faux Denim

This card I sent to my Hotel Roomie at the VC Rocks Hotel, Karen Sullivan. I used the Looks Like Spring and Wonderful Words stamp sets. I took bordering blue card stock and swiped my night of navy ink pad over it until I liked how it looked. Then embossed friendship with white EP. I used Rose Red and So Saffron c/s to punch out the little flowers and attached them using white eyelets (my favorite embellishment!). The large flower was stamped with Rose Red ink and then cut out. I really liked how this card turned out. I also made bookmarks using this technique for the book mark swap (see below). The scan I have is of the proto type for this and not the actual one I swapped. On the swap ones, I didn't trim off the corners of the square that were hanging over the edge. I liked it better that way. I added the ribbons later too. I used all the same colors of ink and cardstock and added the sentiments using a stamp from Natural Beauty. These were a lot of work to make, but I had fun using this technique which was a new one for me.

Faux Shaving Cream Technique with Flutterbys

These two cards I made as RAK's for VC ROCKS. I found the technique on SCS. The bold butter fly stamps are inked with the main color and then using a wheel (which I rolled over a contrasting ink color) roll over the stamp. Then outline the stamp with a marker that matches the wheel ink color. Huff on the stamp and then stamp it. I really like this technique! A fun new way to use old favorite stamps and wheels that sit unused most of the time. So, how about pulling out some old favorite stamps and coming up with a new technique to use them with? I would love to see what you come up with!

Rubberband Brayer Card

OK, the brayer - not a tool that I use much. So, I thought this would be a great class for my dd and I to take together. Well, I was right! Thanks to Kimm for giving me a great review of techniques I had forgotten about and for introducing some that I had never tried. Well, dd had some friends over and they were busy, so she missed the class. She did say she would like to try a card like this one later though. To do the background on this card, I sponged white c/s with Ballet Blue and Mint Melody - lightly. Then I stamped my images. Made masks for the images using my two-way glue pen so that they would stick and still be removable. Then I wrapped my rubber brayer with rubber bands. Inked the rubber banded brayer with Tempting Turquoise ink and rolled it over the c/s. To finish off the images, I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the fish. Then mounted the stamped piece on coordinating c/s. What a fun technique! Another variation for this card would have been to skip the masking and cut the fish images out and mount them on the card using pop dots to really make them stand out.