An'udder birthday!!

So here is the a card using the same layout as the last one but I used the TAC set An'udder Birthday from the Spring Supplement. This is a quick sketch that I seem to be falling back on a lot. I make up a lot of backgrounds and keep them in a clam shell that the TAC stamps come in. Then i stamp a lot of images and put them in another clam shell. I carry this one with me different places and color them or at the TV in the evenings. Then one day I put all of the cards together. It is a quick and easy way to make lots of cards with very little planning or time. Try it and let me know if it works for you.

Well, the work has started in my upstairs area. I am redoing my bedroom and adding on an office in another bedroom. At the moments I have all of the furniture set up in my new office but not organized yet ... that is my today project. It is so exciting to see and feel the changes going on. I hope to post a few more goodies for you to see soon. Blessings

Happy Earth day!

It worked! YEAH!! I wanted to post this card in honor of Earth Day ... and yes is is still using the same set, The Angel Company's 'Spring Time' from the Spring supplement. I used a reverse mask made with my Coluzzle Oval and sponged in the blue. I think I may have gotten it a little too dark .. it doesn't look that dark in person but here it does. Then I stamped the tree inside while the mask was still on. After removing the mask I stamped the tree on the side and then added some leaves. At the bottom of the tree I stamp the top of the full shaped tree and then added the leaves on top of that. The words are from 'Be Still'. And lastly I added a ribbon at the top.

Oh! I forgot to share with you I finally got my ribbons all organized! I got a new shelving unit for my studio, put it together, sorted my ribbons and then put them in plastic see through boxes (without lids) by color. They are so easy to see and find the right color I need. I have three large glass jars too ... one with really thick ribbons, one with scrapes which are over 6" long and another smaller one for ribbon less than 6" long. I think this will help me to stay organized and have a place for everything.

I have one more card for this series. Are you bored yet with me using the same set? Or do you like to see the same set used in many ways. Let me know so I can plan out my future posts. Blessings to all!

OK, I am feeling safe ...

... today that posting this card will not bring us anymore snow!!! But who know in Cleveland! It is beautiful again today! I was able to get out and do about 3 hrs. of yard work yesterday and hopefully later today I will be able to do it again .... there is so much to do!

Yes, this is the Spring time set again and the snowflakes are in the set too! The designer must live in Cleveland! LOL I used the Scor-pal to make two embossed lines on the scraps of blue paper, sanded them and then used the plastic mesh to poke a line of holes between the two lines for more texture. I added a close up shot so you could see it better. The words are from the Level A set 'It's the little things'. I have one more card to show you and then we will move on from this set. But I hope I have been able to show you a lot of different ways to use one set! Le me know if you type it too. And if you purchase this set from me in the month on April , I will include a scan of each of the cards I have done here for you!

Remember you only have till the end of this month to get the double incentives with TAC. You and a friend can both earn a Scor-pal for half price, a Level A set, and three free Gift with Purchase stamps with a $50 order each! Plus one of you can get a 'Big on Fun" set free with the $100 order. Call or e-mail me soon so we can get your order in. Enjoy your day! Blessings

Tip on piercing card stock

And yet another card using the Spring Time set from TAC. This is such a versatile set! On this card I used the tree top for the ground ... yes the ground .. I added a few leaves and flowers and the birdie too. I used printed papers from Cha Cha SWIC. And added detail by piercing the corners and two lines along the bottom of the printed paper. And ribbon of course! The words are from the TAC set Just Because and on the inside 'it's your birthday!' If you are not familiar with the easy and quick way to make the piercing holes here is a tutorial for you.

You will need some plastic mesh #10, a paper piercer, and a cushion. I use a small piece of thick fun foam.

You lay your card stock on the cushion with the mesh on top. Line up the edges so they are even and then punch in the squares of the mesh where you want the holes. If I am doing straight lines I go every other square in the mesh.

For the corner shown, I did every other square on the mesh and then skipped a row between too. It is so easy to keep your piercing straight on your card using this small canvas mesh!

The piercing adds texture to your cards and is easy and quick to do! Give it a try and let me know how you like it. Blessings

Still Springtime ...

Springtime stamps set from TAC of course!! Here is another card I did using this set. I used the tree as a branch again and added the tire and a bird. The tire has a long rope so I put a post-it note on the branch so I could stamp the tire shorter. I dirty stamped (or second generation stamping - stamp a second time without re inking) for the leaves in the tree to add depth. The paper I used is Amelia SWIC and notice I cut the tag in half and only attach half of it for interest. Of course had to put on some score lines ..... it's like I can not leave a blank area alone on my cards anymore since I got my Scor-pal! I have to add embossed lines or something for depth and extra detail. The great thing is it does not add weight to the card for mailing and it is easy and quick to do! Remember if you still need ..... and yes I mean NEED a Scor-pal for half price .... all you need to do is you and a friend both place a $50 order with me and you can both get a Scor-pal for half price, and a Level A set set and 3 Gift with Purchase stamps each for FREE! Oh, you can also get one of the 'Big' for Fun Limited editions set free to share. Now you need to hurry since the promotion ends the end of April.

Also, if you purchase this, Spring time set, this month from me I will include a scan of all the cards I have made using it for your inspiration.

I plan on showing you two new ways to use your Scor-pal next week if you are not convinced you NEED one!! Count your blessings daily and pray for all who are in need . Blessings

Today was Spring!

But our trees are not green yet ... so this is a dream .. This 'Spring Time' I used the swirly tree and then stamp the leaves over it. I like the effect of the one falling down. The words 'Thank You' is a current GWP (free Gift with Purchase stamp with a $30 order). I did the background of the card front in horizontally scored 1/2" lines for texture. Can you tell I love to use my Scor-Pal!! I still have more to show you using this set so come on back this week! Blessings

PS. In case you are just stopping by for the first time .. I am doing a series of cards using TAC's Spring time set from the Spring Supplement.

Changing Seasons & a TAC Special!

Yes, I think we are finally saying 'good-bye' to winter and 'hello' to spring here in Cleveland! This card was made using the Spring time set, from the Spring Supplement, and the Level A Hostess set, called Little things. I love that word set ... I use it a lot!

I first scored two lines at 2" and 2 1/4" going horizontally on the bottom of the card front. Then I stamped below it with one of the little flowers. The top of the card has scrapes of Toodle Loo SWIC. Yes, I am still making cards from my scrape baskets! The branch is the tree going sideways ... fun!

Now I wanted you all to know that TAC is having a special, 'Big' on Fun from April 7 through May 5 where you can select one of the new limited addition sets free with each $100 order. You can purchase them for $2.95 each with a $30 order. Yes, you can get all four with a $30 order and get two FREE GWPs too! There is a mini version of the Spring Time set! These are great to stamp on the inside of your cards and envelopes or to make mini cards to match your cards made with the larger set. There are four set to select from!!

My dates in April are filling up fast for workshops so call soon or consider hosting a Book party with your friends. Remember, you get the double incentives this month!! So with a $50 order, you and a friend can each select one level A hostess set and 3 GWP stamps FREE. You will get one free Limited Edition set per $100 order and you each can select a half price item. Go for the Scor-pal if you do not have it yet! It is a wonderful tool and I use it on everything I do now! Blessings

Day three of Scor-Pal fun!!

I had so much fun today ... I had my TAC-eee Ladies over to stamp for the day and I made some really good soup, one friends brought some great bread, another cooked fruit, and then my favorite cheese cake for dessert. It was great to stamp & eat with friends!

Also, today TAC announced that our 'Celebration' will run from March 1 to April 30. What does that mean to you??? Double customer and Hostess incentives!!! Yeah!!! So book your workshop & get your orders ready!

Day three is an easy card .... for this one I used the Scor-Pal to accent the image with a border. I did two lines 1/4" apart on the first cards in both directions.

Remember to put the right side of the card down!! I did not line the card up with the left edge since I wanted to make two lines 1/4" apart. Click on the picture on the right to get a closer view as to where I lined the card up to score. The second card I am showing here is done in the same manner but I did it on the other side, used different stamps and accented all of the outside border with printed paper. It has a bolder look to it that the first.

Tomorrow I will be show a trick with using ink with the Scor-pal!!

Today's questions is .... which of the new Spring Supplements stamps can you not live without??? OH .... did I forget to tell you that TAC released the Spring Supplement today also!! Go check it out!! Blessings

Another Love & Joy

And yet another night with snow! I need to keep the flowers blooming here so I keep remembering it "IS SPRING!!"

Here is an Angel K.I.S.S. using two of the new Spring Supplements from The Angel Company. I used Love & Joy for the flowers and Treasure Seekers for the words. Since I usually do not stamp for kids or boys especially I originally thought that 'Treasure Seekers' only went with 'Pirates'. Boy was I wrong!! I have used that set so much and I haven't got the 'Pirates' yet!! I second generation or dirty stamped the flowers and the stems using my VersaMagic pads to get the illusion of a field of flowers. Taped a green grograin ribbon around it and then added a tie on of a light purple ribbon. Then attached the white layer to a green MatchMakers card. So quick and easy to make! Enjoy and keep thinking ... Spring ... Spring ... Spring ... Spring... Blessings

Love & Joy set

I need to keep the flowers coming so I can pretend Spring is here!! No golf last night, too cold and windy, and snow predicted for later today and Sunday. So let's all just keep 'thinking spring'!!

This is an Angel K.I.S.S. cards using squares of Catelynne Fly with It Collection and the set 'Love & Joy'. This set is so easy to use and has a great look. Here I stamped it with VersaMagic Chalk inks and then used the Pastel Chalks to highlight the blue flowers. I accented the centers with the Hot Pink Glaze Gelly Pen. I have another card using this set I will post on Sunday. This one will be included in my TAC-ee Creations Night next Wed. Enjoy the look for flowers! Blessings

PS. The scan is not real straight ... sorry.

A wonderful High Tech Tool!

This is probably one of my most used tools with my projects. It is a really ... really ... really .... expensive one too! LOL I learned this from a dear friend, Avis. Take a piece of very thick fun foam (I like 1/4") and cut into a usable size. I like mine long and thin so they will slip into those tight stops. I stamp mine for decoration but you do not have to and then add a push pin. It can be any size or type. I have used little ones, round ones and now I have found these jumbo ones at Walmart that work great! I have even used a straight pin with it. It all depends on the size of the hole you want and your ability to handle it with your hands.

Now you ask ... what in the world do you use it for! Well everything! Here are a few off the top of my head:

* To add a brad or eyelet
* For added dimension to your card - use either side of the paper for a different look
* For hole to hand stitch through
* To run a piece of Scrapper's Floss or twine through to hand a tag, bead or charm
* For the technique Faux Stitching
* To run wire through
* To add a safety pin or straight pin for embellishment
* I even have used the large push pin to help push ribbon through the hole

This is one of my essential tools in my work area. If you have another idea of how to use this High Tech Tool please add a comment. I love reading them and would love to hear more ideas for it! Blessings

Jubilee Night

So what are you doing on March 16? Want to come stamp with us? Get out of this cold and snow and "think spring!" It is my last Jubilee Night in Mentor from 6-11 PM. I used bright colors, flowers, bunnies, birds and a boat for the projects. And here they are! I have one last game to play too! There will be cash and carry and a lottery too. The sets are from the Spring Supplement and the new Spring Fever sets. I love all of the ones I have so far ... they are so easy for me to work with! Come see for yourself. The cost is $8 for the evening. Please let me know my Friday, March 9, if you will attending and how many will be at your table for a workshop. If you do not have people for a workshop that is OK too ... I will add you to another group. I am also inviting all of my local down-line or TAC demonstrators. Give me a call and let me know if you are attending. Blessings

Creative Opportunity

Today when I got up we had sunshine and birds chirping and then all of a sudden around 10 AM we had a white out blizzard! Oh the weather in this area is getting to me. But later the sun was out with just a dusting of snow. I need sunshine, warm weather and spring flowers!! So here is a gift of daises for all of you! I hope is will brighten your day.

This was made with the new Oopsie Daisies set from our Spring Supplement. I used the Notch & Die Cutting Tool for the photo holders and then accented them with a mini Black Brad & Eyelet Sticker. I stamped the daisies in Noir black and colored them with my Prisma colored pencils. Then I used my Jewel Tone Chalk Kit's light blue to shadow around the daisies. The black edging is my true confession .... yes ... sometimes my fingers get inking too! I had a black ink mark from my finger on the yellow Matchmakers so I just stuck my finger into the pad and rubbed black ink all around the edges for a framing look. Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. It did cover my mistake ...copse ... my opportunity for creativity! So see nothing is a mistake in the rubber stamping world! The words are from the new set Nurture your Soul. Blessings

Mulberry Meadows is awesome!

I love it ... I love it ... I love the Mulberry meadows Soar with it Collection!! I have created so much with this new line of paper so far! I just love the colors. Here is the featured picture from my newsletter since you were not able to click on it to see them closer. You can here. Just a few comments so you know what you are looking at. The 'Fun' tag, from Fun Time, on the far left has Swirly gigs stamped with the Stamp and Stick pad and then has Plum Perfect Pearls over it. You can not see it as well in the picture but is really looks nice. The flowers are already on the tag so all I did was stamp the word with the same pad and used the gold Perfect Pearls on it. The card in the front, I died my own ribbon with Hint of Pesto Versamagic Chalk pad. The card in the middle back I cut the flower with my Retractable Knife and then stuck the tag under it. That was really a Angel K.I.S.S. card since the paper did all of the work. All I did on the tag was stamp the Oopies Daisies and color it the rest is already on the tag! The far right side is my favorite one. I used Basic Birds and paper pieced them. I stamped them in black on the card and then on the printed paper and cut out the body and attached. To make this easier I put double sided tape on the back of the printed paper before I cut so it become a sticker! But the cool thing is that the little flowers on the birds are really the color index on the label of the paper. I paper pieced them on too! Why throw them away make use of them since they are do cute. I made more yesterday but I really am thinking I want to submit them either to a contest or to a magazine. I have included a close up this card. I love Mulberry Meadows!! Blessings

Last idea with oval ...

Well here is the last idea using the oval cut out itself! I cut a second one out of a different color of card stock in a smaller size. The background is stamped with Really Retro in Tea Leaves and Ocean Depth Versamagic Chalk ink pads. The 'hi" was stamped using Awesome ABC's in Noir and black Eyelet & Brad Stickers where added for accent. All four of these cards have a totally different look, color combination and style but all were made from the the Nested Oval Coluzzle template. Cool isn't it!

Yesterday I got to cut and play with the new stamps and paper from TAC's Spring Supplement! It was so much fun to not have to make more than one card or plan while I designed for how to do this for a group of people. I love being able to just play with my stamps with no agenda in mind. I put some of these on the Soaring Samples for March so I hope you can all take the time to view them.

Let me know how I am doing so far with blogging for a month now. I am still being challenged with being able to send messages to my own blog ... mine bounce but yours don't? No clue there .... but I am still reading them and enjoying them so keep them coming! Blessings

Relaxing and fishing

Yeah!! My order came this afternoon!! That was quick ... I placed it over the weekend, they would have gotten it on Monday morning and I got it today Wed early afternoon. I don't think I have ever had one come that quickly! YEAH TAC!!! So I guess I will be cutting cutting and smelling rubber (love to smell it!!) this afternoon. Hey the Chipboard Book looks awesome!! It is 5.5 x 4.75" in size and I think I counted about 10 pages for $3.50! Oh the new Mulberry Meadow papers are beautiful! What caught my attention are the tags, the accents of flowers and color on them is so delicate. These will be going into my new Chipboard Book for sure! I cannot wait to play with them ... mmmm ... now which new set do I want to use??? I'll show you when I get it going. But we have to get back to the regularly planned blog ......

Day three of Coluzzle Nested Oval Template... yes I used the reverse masked that was used to stipple the card on Monday for the frame for this one! Can you see the stippled edge done in Bordeaux Palette Ink! Sometimes we just need to use our scraps and see what art we can make of them. I attached the mask onto a white card front and then stamped the fishing boy from Everything Nice set with the words, both using Bordeaux Palette Ink. I colored him in with Jewel Tones Chalk Kit, which have a shimmer to them, to give him a soft look. And then added a tie on ribbon for dimension. All three of these cards give you a different use, feel and style. But yes ..... I have one more for you ... so come back on Thursday for the last one! maybe .... Blessings

Precious moments ....

Here is a card I have had in my head for a long time! Do you do that to ..... think of idea and carry it in your head for a while before you get it on paper? I do it all of the time. It is another Angel K.I.S.S. card mean 'keep it simple stamper'. These are great since they take only a few minutes to make and then can be dropped in the mail.

I used the Coluzzle Nested Oval template with the Coluzzle mat and Coluzzle Swivel Knife to cut an oval out of scrap paper. I used reverse masking, not the oval but the paper the oval was removed from, on a white card front. I stippled inside the oval using a Stipple Brush in Toile Pink Palette Ink, then Belle Rose around the edges and lastly Bordeaux on the far outside edge to make it pop. I then stamped the girl in Bordeaux ink from the Precious Girl set and the words at the bottom. I tied a bow out of light pink ribbon and attached three Paper Posies with it to the bottom left of the oval. And I was done! Quick and easy and ready to send off to a friend. I am eagerly waiting for my order with my Spring Supplement stamps in it and I will do this card again with them in a different version to show how quick this Angel K.I.S.S can be. If you try it let me know what you do. Remember you can drop a message on this blog or to me personally and you can also click on the images to make them larger. Blessings

Spring Supplement 2007 is Here!

TAC has release the Spring Supplement 2007!! We have a new Soar with It Collection, but this one is a 6-pack. Meaning you get 5 sheets of 12' x 12" printed card stock and one sheet with an assortment of coordinating diecut tags and embellishments, for only $6.95. It is cool that one of the sheets has stripes of different prints that can then be cut up for borders and embellishments. I love that about our collections! Mulberry Meadow is the name of our new collection and the palette is warm purples, cool blue and sage green. I love the look!

The stamps in the Spring Supplement are awesome! The words sets, for me, steal the show! 'Abundance is ... ' set starts with these words and then goes on with others such as, 'appreciating everything', ' looking closely', 'being in awe of the little things', and they go on and on. I have a really cool idea in my head for this set! Then 'Fun Time' is cool too with really large bold words ... Dance, Fun, Skip and Laugh. That is a real versatile set too. Another of my favorites is 'Basic Birds' they are simple and stylizes and just wanting for a creative touch. But then again there is 'Swirlygigs' which are too awesome to describe ... OK I do not know which is my favorite! You are going to have to just go look for yourself and let me know which one you really ... really want!

TAC had two more big announcements this weekend! The Stamp of the Month Program will return in April! YEAH!! And Spring Fever has started and will continue until April 15, which means, with every $30 order you can also purchase one of the Spring Fever sets at a discounted price. All three of them are just waiting for your creative juices! My order has been placed and my juices are already flowing with ideas to do with all of these great new sets and papers. Oh we have a Candy Tin and a Chipboard Book also in the supplement that look like fun. I have a few new cards to post this week and when my order comes in I will definitely have more. Go check it all out at the TAC website. Blessings