Merriest Christmas To You!

This card is one that I taught in a class at the store last fall. I loved it so much that I decided to share it with you here.

The background is red cardstock stamped with Castaways ink using the Winter Berries stamp from Penny Black. I love the look of it, almost a bleached effect, and it matches the main image.

The focal image is also the Winter Berries stamp. I colored on the rubber with Tombow markers then spritzed with water using my JudiKins Fine Mist Spritzer .

The sentiment is Penny Black's Merriest Christmas . It was stamped with VersaMark Ink then embossed using JudiKins Malachite embossing powder (which I seem to be out of right now). I didn't realize that until just this moment. Oops!

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. I plan to get some stamping done, so be sure to check in for new projects.

Until then.........

Woo Hoo.........New Rubbah!

There was a shipment of stamps on my doorstep when I got home from work tonight.....from OUTLINES!

I've been pricing, scanning and writing descriptions for the stamps since I got home. And I think I have them all listed for you now.

To see the new images click HERE ! You can also view the Christmas images in the Holiday Images section.

Also please note that I have a new poll going. You should see it just to the right of this post. I would so appreciate it if you would vote. Some of the stamp companies have mounted AND unmounted stamps. I'd like your input about which you prefer.

Thanks so much! I'm going to take a break for dinner, and then I will try to post some eye candy a little later tonight.

Christmas Snowflake

I just love the soft look of this card...and it was so very simple to make!

The background was stamped with the Snowflake & Flourish background stamp from Hero Arts. I stamped it with VersaColor Baby Blue ink on blue snowflake decorative paper that I found at Hobby Lobby. It's made by The Paper Studio.

The main image is also from Hero Arts. It's called Grand Snowflake . I stamped it with Sky Blue VersaColor ink, then adorned it using Hero Arts Crystal Gemstones.

I really love the font on the sentiment. It is called Script Merry Christmas also from Hero Arts.

This is a very simple card to make...but so elegant. If you're making multiples of the same Christmas card, this one would be really easy to mass produce.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Your support and comments are genuinely appreciated.

Drumroll please............

The random number selector chose #47. So the winner of the Dreamy Treats is SpazzGirl! ! ! ! Please email me with your snail mail address so I can get your package in the mail to you! Congratulations Simone! Be sure to check out her blog at Daily Dose of Spazz !

My most sincere thanks to every one of you for playing along! I read each and every comment, and you had some great suggestions. FYI - I ordered from Inkadinkado on Monday, and from Outlines about a week ago. I'm looking into Gina K as a new addition to the web store, and will consider some others as well.

Stay tuned....we will have Dreamy Treats again at 30,000 hits!

Santa's Elves?

Elf shoes? Or witch shoes? Could it be both? LOL!

This card was made with the Witch Shoes stamp from Stampendous. I stamped it on watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen. I added Stickles Glitter Glue to the boots and the hem of the skirts for a little sparkle. I also added some Stickles around the lacy edges of the sentiment.

The background for the sentiment is a cute little stamp from A Muse called Lacy Oval . I inked it first with VersaColor Lime Green ink, then tapped the edges of the stamp with VersaColor Green Tea. The Ho! Ho! Ho! sentiment is also from Stampendous. It was stamped over the inked Lacy Oval then cut out.

The red and green cardstock was Cutlebugged (is that a word?) with the Tiny Mosaic embossing folder. I added a few Green Geo Shapes stickers for added interest. I just love those little jewel stickers. They are soooo cool and easy to use.

To see the original Halloween card I made with the Witch Shoes click HERE !

So.......we have a Halloween stamp which doubles as a Christmas elf card. Too fun!

DON'T FORGET! The Dreamy Treats winner will be announced tomorrow night. If you haven't registered yet, this is your chance. Just Do It! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay...maybe it's not quite time for Thanksgiving, but it is time to start making your cards.

This is a new image from Stampendous called Classic Thanksgiving . I stamped the image on cream colored cardstock with Versamark ink, then embossed with JudiKins Metallic Copper embossing powder.

<-----Click to enlarge the image.

The edges of all the layers were distressed with my Paper Distresser and sponged with ink to age. I accented the stamped image with Tombow markers for added color.

The decorative paper is a scrap I've had for forever, so I don't know who makes it. The metallic ribbon is from May Arts. So....surprise your family and friends with a card this Thanksgiving!

AND....don't forget to register for the Dreamy Treats. Someone is going to win. It could be you!

A Day Late, and .....

I got up early this morning, went for my 2.5 mile walk, and read the paper while drank my one allotted cup of coffee. Then I got busy on the only challenge I've ever taken the time to attempt.

Amy at Heartfelt Greetings had a challenge for creating your own business cards. Since I have a dire need for business cards, and never allow myself the time to work on it, I decided this was the challenge for me! It's practical, functional, and sooooo necessary in my case!

After making these two as a warm up, I started playing with another idea. Totally different color scheme and layout! After all, it has to be something you can mass produce. Who can spend an hour on one business card?

Then I decided I should check Amy's blog to see if we are supposed to email her the files, or post them on our blog and just send her a link. I couldn't remember. WELL......much to my surprise, when I got to her blog I realized that the deadline was midnight last night....NOT tonight. Arrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh!

Oh well...it's all good! It got me off my rump to think about designing my business cards, which is probably the only way it would have gotten done.

Great challenge Amy.....thanks for the inspiration! There are some fabulous cards entered. Be sure to check them out!

I got some fun stamping done this afternoon, so I will have more for you this week. And DO NOT forget to enter for the blog candy. Someone has to win....it would be you!

Dreamy Treats Alert!

How in the world did I let 20,000 hits slip by me? Honestly.....don't you that we should celebrate that with Dreamy Treats?

This giveaway includes a package of A Muse Lime Peel band notecards and envelopes, a JudiKins Fine Mist Spritzer, three VersaColor Cubes, one each of Petal Pink, Imperial Blue and Lagoon Blue. There is a package of Hero Arts Mixed Dots stamps, and a set of Hero Arts Artistic Butterflies stamps. Also included is a Paper Packet which includes some very cool die cuts for you to stamp on or use in your scrapbooking, and two stamps from the Michael's dollar spot. One is wood mounted, and the other is a clear set. Whew! That's lotsa good stuff! And I forgot to include the ribbon before I took the picture. Oh well...you will just have to be surprised about that, won't you? :-)

All you have to do to enter to win this selection of Dreamy Treats is leave a comment on this post. What I would like to know is, what stamp line should I add or expand in my web store. If you need to do your homework first, you can check out my store HERE . Or you can click on the link to the right that says Shop Here Stamper's Dream - The Stamp Store. Actually, most any link in my blog will take you there!

Please be aware that any invalid answer, such as a home based stamp line, will be skipped over, and I will go to the next entry when counting to determine the winner. Sorry....but I need real answers here. And please, only one entry per person.

I will determine the winner by using the random counter thingy, and name the winner on Wednesday, August 29.

Thanks...and good luck! I look forward to reading your answers.

Queen Butterfly

If only you could see how beautiful and dimensional this card is in real life. Soooooooooo pretty!

I only wish I had designed it! It's a sample that was sent to me from The Artful Stamper. The image on the card is called Queen Butterfly and you can buy it HERE . I have intended to post it for some time now, just got busy with other things, I guess.

Speaking of busy....it's been such a crazy week for me with all the new orders arriving. Lots of new Penny Black stamps, new Paper Inspirations and Stampendous stamps. I also recently got an order from Hero Arts 2007 Christmas catalog. New accessories in the store include Liquid Applique and Tim Holtz Paper Distresser . Needless to say, I've been living on Lean Cuisine and fat free bologna sandwiches. Tonight it's tuna. No time to cook with all this fun new stuff around! LOL!

I'm a bit behind on my stamping, but I hope to get caught up over the weekend. There are so many great new stamps in the store that I can't decide which ones to use first! A great dilemma, I can assure you!

I'm having lunch with a friend and shopping tomorrow...such a treat for me. I haven't done that in way too long! But I will be back soon with something new for you.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

World of Good Wishes...

Oh, how I DO love Penny Black stamps! I got a shipment of their Christmas images today and have spent the entire evening uploading them to the store. You can see them HERE . You will have to scroll to the end to see the new holiday images.

This will probably be my primary Christmas card this year. I never have ONE Christmas card. I like to make lots of different ones to suit the personalities of the recipients. But I love the elegance of Penny Black stamps, and their fine etching stamps such a perfect image...appropriate for most any recipient!

The panel on the top of this card is stamped with Christmas Colors , then with Xmas Orb hanging from the holly. Both stamps were colored on the rubber with Tombow markers, lightly spritzed with water using a JudiKins Fine Mist Spritzer then stamped on the cardstock.

World of Good Wishes was stamped and embossed using JudiKins Detail Gold embossing powder.

Two May Arts ribbons were layered, one on top of the other and placed on the right side of the card before the stamped panels were adhered.

I thank you once again for stopping by my blog. Have a super fantastic Friday!

And even more shoebox party cards....

Aren't these cards totally gorgeous? These were contributed to the group by my good friend Nancy. While she was taking a break from the corporate world a couple of years ago, she worked for me at the stamp store for a while just because she loves stamping and enjoyed being around the art. (Trust me...it wasn't for the $$$!) LOL! And quite the artist she is! She takes no credit for the design of these, and says they were cased from Lisa Johnson and Debbie Olson . They are both awesome cards, and were such a pleasure to make!

The cupcake stamp is by Lockhart Stamp Company, and the circle behind the cupcake is punched from a Marvy Giga Circle Punch . I love this card! Isn't it sweet?

The stamp on the purple card and envelope is Blush by Penny Black. I think that is my all time favorite Penny Black stamp. I've used mine sooooooooo many times! You can buy the stamp HERE .

Thanks so much Nancy. Your taste in card design is so beautiful and elegant. And you're such a natural! It's always a pleasure to have you to stamp with! You rock!

Our other participant (Susan) asked that I not showcase her cards on my blog.....so this concludes the cards from the party. We'll do it again...it was such fun!

GREAT Mail Day!

It is sooooooo much fun to get great mail! That almost NEVER happens at my house, but today was certainly the exception!

I received both of these fabulous cards in my mailbox today as thank you cards for hosting the get-together on Saturday. Is that sweet....or what? Carolyn sent me the postage stamp card made with the A Muse Flower Doodles stamp. Isn't it a great card? I love her choice of stamps! Thanks my dear friend!

The other card is from my friend Mary. She used Stamp Shop , Lampost , and Rather be stamping , all from A Muse! I love this card, and those scallops are perfect in the background. She knows me all too well. I WOULD rather be stamping! LOL!

Thanks guys..........you ARE the best!

I received shipments from Stampendous and Paper Inspirations...so I'm off to finish uploading those images to the webstore before I call it a night.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Shoebox Party Card!

Another card from Saturday's get-together!

This one was designed by my friend Jimmie. She's quite the artist! Jimmie has been published several times, most recently in Feb/March 2007 issue of The Stamper's Sampler. The article was about Corroded Copper techniques. If you haven't seen it, you MUST!

This card was made with an image from A Stamp In The Hand. We colored on the rubber with Marvy markers, then stamped on white glossy paper. The image was colored a second time and stamped on Stampbord, then adhered over the top of the first image we stamped. Pretty....huh? Images always have a more vibrant color when stamped on glossy paper. And this one is vibrant and just gorgeous!

Thanks Jimmie....it was such a pleasure to have you with us. I really do miss seeing you! (She lives an hour and a half from here.) And be sure to keep me posted on your celebrity status as it continues to flourish!

Santa Trio

What a fun card this was to make!

I didn't have the background paper that I really needed, so I improvised with this. It works....but wouldn't have been my first choice.

The main image is a stamp from Stampendous called Santa Trio . It's a very easy stamp to work with. I stamped it on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. (If I ever have a test about this, how many of you will win?) LOL!

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers. I added white Liquid Applique for the "fluff", then put Crystal Stickles over the top of the Liquid Applique after it dried.

I stamped the Santa Hat portion of that stamp again, colored and cut it out to pop up on the sentiment. The sentiment is one of the very first stamps I ever bought (before I knew what I was doing). It's of the poorest quality known to man....and not worth whatever it is I paid for it. I guess I just keep it to remind myself how much I've learned!

Thanks for stopping by. Your support and comments are invaluable...and much appreciated!

More Cards from my friends....

More cards from our *Shoebox Party* at my house last Saturday. These cards were designed by my friend Mary. All stamps are Stampin' Up (she's my SU! demo), except for the Just A Note stamp by A Muse. The Fabriano note card that we stamped on is just fabulous! Oh my gosh....what perfect paper!

The Friend Like You card is using a Stampin' Up stamp. (Sorry...I don't know the name of it.) We used a D'Vine Swirl embossing folder for the chocolate background, and a Marvy Giga Circle scallop punch to frame the verse. Isn't that pretty? And I really like that sentiment!

You did a great job on the cards, Mary! Thanks so much for your contribution to our group! You're absolutely the best! (And she is such a super sweet lady!)

Happy Holidays!

This is a really fun card...and definitely not my usual style! But that's not a bad thing. It's good to do things differently...right?

The stamped image is from Stampendous, and it's called Doodle Holidays .

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, and embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen. Accents of Stickles Glitter Glue were added here and there for sparkle and dimension.

The colored image was cut out using a Coluzzle elongated oval template. To frame it, the red mat behind the sentiment was cut out using the next larger Coluzzle mat size. I added a bead of Crystal Stickles around th edge of each of the ovals.

All four corners of the card were punched with a corner rounder to keep the curved theme going. The background paper is Doodlebug Christmas Playful Paisley, and the double sided ribbon is from May Arts.

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I will have more for you tomorrow.

Cards from my friends....

For our stamping get-together this Saturday, we each had to bring everything for two cards that everyone else was to make...like a shoebox party.

These are the two cards that my friend Carolyn designed for us.

The Happy Birthday tag card was really fun. We punched three windows through the cardstock and stamped the flower behind them on the inside of the card. I know that the happy birthday stamp on the tag is from Hero Arts, and the flower stamped inside is from Stampin' Up. Isn't that cute?

The composition of the flower card is very unique. We used a Coluzzle oval template to cut the note card, and the flowered card front. Then a trimmed envelope was also cut with the same Coluzzle and adhered to the front of the note card before we put the flowered card front on it. The envelope is to hold the stamped images that we will later slide down into the envelope. We stamped on cardstock panels so that one showed through the front, and one showed on the inside. The Penny Black stamp you see on the front was one, and on the inside we stamped a sentiment. I may not have done a good job of explaining that. It is very cool!

Thanks Carolyn! You did an awesome job on these!

Boot Trio

What an awesome weekend! I don't want it to end! But then, I never do! :-)

Yesterday I had a few friends over for stamping. It was so much fun! I will be sharing their cards with you throughout the week as I have time to photograph them. So stay tuned!

This card was a fun one I made today. The picture really doesn't do it justice. The stamp is from Stampendous and the image is called Boot Trio . It was an easy card to make. I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored using Tombow markers, then topped with Stickles Glitter Glue . I used Purple, Lime Green, Black Diamond and Orange Peel. Just for fun, I added a bead of Lime Stickles around the edge of the Boot Trio as well as the sentiment. I might have liked the card better before I added the lime green border. But then....it's too late to think about that! LOL!

The sentiment is from my "go to" Halloween set. It's from Hero Arts and is called Ghostly Greetings . There are three stamps in that set, and one of them almost always works for any of my Halloween cards.

The orange printed background paper is from The Paper Studio, and the striped paper is from Doodlebug.

So much for the weekend. It's back to the coal mines tomorrow. Try to have a happy Monday! And thanks for stopping by.

True Friend...

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings. How true, how true!

That sentiment is from A Muse Artstamps, and is called True Friend . I stamped it on lavendar cardstock using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. Then the stamped image was framed with the punched out portion of a Marvy Giga Scallop Square punch.

The lavendar cardstock strip behind the sentiment was paper pierced on the top and bottom edges. I added May Arts ribbon to the center, and three GeoSparkler jewel stickers on top of the ribbon.

The background paper is from Deja Views, and is called Plum Blossoms. I really love the colors in that paper, and found it very easy to work with.

I am stamping with a few of my friends tomorrow morning, so I will have some new things to post for you soon.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Retro Tree-O

It really IS time to be thinking about your Christmas cards. I know...it's 103 degrees outside, but it will be here before you know it!

The image I used on this card is called Retro Tree-O and it's from Stampendous. There is so much you can do with this stamp, depending on your background paper and the color palette you choose. The decorative paper used here is Paper Adventures Holiday Joy Mini Dots.

I stamped the image (I know you regulars know this) with Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

To color the image I used Tombow markers and a blender pen. Yellow Stickles glitter glue was used on the stars, and I used Crystal Stickles to accent stripes on the tree in the center.

Just for kicks I put some GeoShapes jewel stickers here and there, and accented some of the other circles on the trees with JudiKins Diamond Glaze for added dimension.

I love the ribbon on this card, but wasn't quite sure if it matched well enough. It's from May Arts...and it's gorgeous double sided ribbon. But does it really match?

So.......that's it for tonight. I still have quite a few packages to wrap for the web store before I can go to bed. It will be a while!

Thanks for checking in!

Treat yourself!

I really like this card. I don't always like my cards...but this is an ice creamy one. And I like ice cream!

The image is Banana Split from Stampendous. I simply adore that stamp!

It was stamped on watercolor paper using, yep...you guessed it.... Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The image was colored with Tombow markers. I put a little Diamond Glaze on the cherries and the fudge for gloss and dimension, and used Liquid Applique for the whipping cream.

The decorative paper is made by Paper Loft. I used a Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl embossing folder to emboss the paper. I think it gives it the effect of swirly icing. And the background paper kind of reminds me of sprinkles. Or is it just me? LOL!

The sentiment is Stampendous Treat Yourself . I put jewel stickers in various sizes on each side of the stamped sentiment for added definition.

The layers were cut with Fiskars Scallop scissors. I doodled around th edges of the Banana Split layer just for fun. If you haven't tried doodling, you just must! It's so much fun...and very addictive. And you can't do it wrong since there are no rules.

Well....I'm still on my crazy schedule of getting up before daybreak, so I'm off to bed early. Thanks for stopping by!

Mistletoe Pixies

These little guys are so cute and happy. I couldn't resist making a bright and cheery card with them.

The stamp is from Stampendous and it's called Mistletoe Pixies . Aren't those little guys adorable?

I stamped on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers. I doodled around the edges just for fun, since this is such a playful image. The sentiment is one in my stash from Wordsworth. The font and size seemed perfect for the little Pixies.

The background paper is from Doodlebug. Do you think it is bright enough, or what? LOL!

I'm posting a little early tonight so I can retire early. I've been getting up at 5 am every morning walking 2.5 miles before getting ready for work. Since I don't usually go to bed until 11:00 or so, I've finally figured out that 6 hours rest just isn't enough. We will see if I can change my wicked ways!

Thanks for stopping by....I do appreciate your support!

Bunny with Tulips

I'm not quite sure why this turned out so blue...when in real life it is purple! Geez....I still have a heck of a lot to learn about photography and photo editing!

The main image in this card is called Bunny with Tulips . It's from Northwoods Rubber Stamps.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. That gives me a very crisp and clean image to color.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen. I used a light blue marker to shadow around the image. I think that gives it a more realistic appeal.

The background is a stamp from JudiKins called Flower Dots . I stamped it with purple ink on yellow Bazzill cardstock.

This is a fun image to color...and that little bunny is just too cute!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a fabulous Monday!

Pixel Tree

Isn't this just about the cutest little Pixie Elf? It's a new stamp I just got in from Stampendous, and it's called Pixel Tree . I don't know what a pixel is....but maybe it's just me!

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. I know some of you probably get tired of me saying that, but it's important because it gives such a detail and crisp image.

The stamped image was colored using Tombow markers and a Tombow blender pen. I added Stickles Glitter Glue on top of the star, and Liquid Applique for the fluffy stuff.

The sentiment is a new one from A Muse, and it's called Christmas Magic . I can already tell that it's going to be one of my new favorite sentiments.

I hope to have some time for stamping this weekend. I have some new images in stock that are calling my name...begging to be inked. LOL!

Have a grand weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Waving Santa

It's amazing how much our taste changes in such a short time. This is a card that I made about this time last year. If I made that card again today I would do it a lot differently!

The background was stamped with snowflakes using Versamark ink, then embossed with JudiKins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder.

The main image is Waving Santa by Penny Black. The image was colored on the rubber with Tombow markers, spritzed with water using my JudiKins Fine Mist Spritzer , then stamped on beige cardstock. I think the rest is pretty self explanatory. Just a tip....use a light gray for the beard.

It's been a crazy week. I hope to get to stamp tomorrow night so I will have something new for you.

Thanks.....I do so appreciate your stopping by.

Thank You Window

Just a really quick post for tonight. I received orders from both Stampendous and JudiKins today, so I've been super busy getting those images scanned and up on my website...and I'm not finished yet!

You can see the Stampendous images here . I don't yet have the Fun Flock listed, but it will be up tonight or tomorrow morning.

The stamp in this card is from Stampendous. It's been a very popular one for some time now, and it's called Thank You Word .

It was stamped on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored using Tombow markers and a Tombow blender pen. The ribbon is from May Arts.

So.......it's back to uploading images on the website for me.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great and wonderful Thursday!

Another Masculine Birthday

One can never have too many masculine cards on hand! That's especially true for me since I have two sons and four grandsons!

I wanted to do something simple with the Vertical Spotlight stamp, so that's how I got here. I inked the stamp with my Versacolor cube stamps, and overlapped colors just a bit from one to another. If you have ColorBox Cat's Eyes, those would work well too. Actually, you could use any ink pad. I just find it easier to work with the small ones on this stamp. Tip: Be sure to start with your lightest color first, then graduate to darker colors so as not to contaminate your ink pads.

I stamped the inked Vertical Spotlight on vanilla cardstock, then used Birthday Calligraphy inked with Versafine Vintage Sepia to stamp over the spotlight background image.

The edges of all the papers were distressed with a Making Memories distressing tool, then sponged with Ranger Vingage Photo distress ink. I added brads to each corner and a photo turn in the center. No ribbon for this one.....guys don't like that, you know. LOL!

Happy Everything!

Since I had the Whimsical Flower Borders set still on my desk from yesterday's card I decided to use it again today. It's a miracle I could find it on my desk among all the other "stuff"! LOL!

I stamped it on a white panel, then colored with Tombow markers in colors to coordinate with the background paper I had chosen. The paper is from a mat stack called The Spring Matstack. I layered the stamped image a couple of times in shades of pink and green. I do like layers!

The butterfly stamp is called Multi-Pattern Butterfly . I colored on the rubber with my Tombow markers, then stamped it twice on a scrap of white cardstock. I cut out the butterflies, trimming the images closely and cutting off the antenna. Then I inked only the antenna of the butterfly and stamped on the decorative paper. I adhered the cut out butterflies over the stamped image. Then I used little jewels for their antenna. Isn't that cute?

The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set called Happy Everything Greetings . There are six stamps in that set, and they are a nice assortment and size which will fit most anywhere.

I really like this card, and I'm pleased with the end result. That doesn't always happen!

Thanks for stopping by.

Joy is where you find it....

Now that I have this little Janome Sew Mini, I had to do something to try it out! And this is my first card with sewing. I know I need some serious practice, but it's a start!

I stamped one of the borders from Hero Arts Whimsical Flower Borders on a large white panel. The image was colored with Tombow markers to coordinate with the background paper.

The butterfly stamp is called Spiral Butterfly . I stamped it on the patterned paper, then cut out all of the image except the antenna. I stamped it again on the white panel then adhered the cut out butterfly over the stamped image on the white panel.

The sentiment is one I really love...and it's suitable for so many occasions. It's called Find Joy . The Tiny Daisy was also stamped on the decorative paper, then cut out and adhered to the sentiment panel.

So....I know this was long. I guess I had a lot to say, huh?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great evening and a happy Monday!

Had to have it!

It's not entirely my fault. I mean....there were just too many enablers out there. And they just wouldn't stop!

It started months ago when I found Julia, and began to stalk (I mean frequent) her blog. I so admired all the stitching she does on her cards. Not long after that I found Trudee and she does beautiful work with a sewing machine. Then, on Friday I was blog hopping and Ellen Hutson had an enabler alert about this cute little sewing machine. I knew it was a sign. So I went to the Hancock's website to order mine for 39.99 with free shipping. I was finally just gonna go for it. After much waiting on the website, getting locked up and and starting over twice, my frustration got the best of me and I decided that it wasn't the sign I was looking for after all.

THEN....yesterday while I was running a few errands I realized that I was within a couple of blocks from the local Hancock Fabric store in Shreveport. I was completely unable to control the steering wheel....it just magically turned and took me there! Much to my surprise, they had this little jewel in stock, on sale, and it was tax free shopping day! So you see....it was just meant to be!

Thanks to all my blogging friends for the enabling, I think?

Roses, Tulips and Mailbox

I tend to like to watercolor to unwind. After a pretty stressful week, that's just what I needed tonight!

I think this Northwoods rubber stamp is just too pretty. Aren't those birds sweet? The stamp is called Roses, Tulips and Mailbox . To me there is just something very serene about it.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. It's my very favorite...and I use it for all things black. It makes a very fine and crisp image every single time.

The stamped imaged was colored using Tombow markers and a Tombow blender pen. I color with my lightest colors first to form a base, then layer over them with medium and darker colors. Everyone has their own technique...but that's mine.

The Prayers sentiment is from Hero Arts, and it's just a must have sentiment for those times when there is nothing else to say.

It can't go without saying how much I appreciate those of you who take the time and effort to leave sweet comments of support. It means a lot to me.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a safe and fabulous weekend!

You'll never guess.....

Who is the Featured Artist today at Distinctive Touches ? Really, you'll never guess this one, so I'm just going to have to tell you. It's meeeeee! When Colleen emailed me earlier this week to ask if she could feature me as an artist on her blog, the answer was a resounding YES! Honestly, how could anyone say no to that? What an honor! I’m still pinching myself!

For those of you who don’t know Colleen, she is a reporter at Craft Critique and a designer for several stamp companies. And she really does a fabulous job of writing. In her article I sound a lot more interesting than I really AM! LOL!

Thanks so much, Colleen! I am humbled…and so very appreciative for your recognition.

Be sure to check out her blog and the article HERE .

I'm so thankful....

Just a quick and easy card for tonight. I am still working on new orders for the store....so time is short.

BUT...this stamp really lends itself to quick and easy. It's from Stampendous and it's called Tall Blossoms .

I know this is a bit of a funky color combination, but I liked working out of my comfort zone (for a change), and just went with the colors of the background paper.

First, I colored on the rubber with my Tombow markers using green for the stems and leaves, and an orangy-red color for the flowers. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo, but the cardstock I stamped on is a very pale blue. After stamping, I colored the flowers with a blender pen, then used Crystal Stickles Glitter Glue to accent the flowers, as well as the flower centers on the background paper.

The main image was framed with two shades of complimentary Bazzill cardstock, and the corners were punched with an EK Success Concave punch. I used Scotch Foam Mounting Tape to pop up each layer for dimension.

The sentiment was stamped, then punched with my oval punch. I ran the ribbon through a hole in each end to adhere it to the stamped image.

So.......that really sounds like a lot, but it truly was quick and easy.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to leave a comment on a blog...

My friends and customers have often asked how they can comment on my blog. This is for you! And since I will have Dreamy Treats (blog candy) around 20,000 hits, you need to learn how to do this!

1. Below each and every post you will see where it says Posted by Michelle, then the date. Just to the right of the date you will see COMMENTS. If it says 0 comments, then no one has commented. :-( If it says 15 comments, a lot of people had something to say! LOL! Click on comments.

2. A screen will pop up after you click on comments. The top portion is where you write your comment. Below that, it says: Choose an identity. If you already have an account set up, it will show up. If you don’t have an account, you will see OTHER and ANONYMOUS. Choose OTHER. If you choose Anonymous I won’t know who you are when you leave a comment.

3. In the OTHER field there is a place to write your name and the address of your web page or blog, if you have one.

4. Of course, if you want to create an account you can go to Google Accounts and follow the simple instructions. It only takes a minute, and it’s super easy!

So, now you know how to comment. No more excuses! LOL!