Thanks for your kindness...

This weekend I've spent most of my time working on the Card Gallery for Stamper's Dream . You can see what I have so far if you click HERE . You may also look at the samples by manufacturer if you click on the company name on the sidebar below Card Samples. There are more to come...I just haven't gotten there yet. I will also be referencing the stamp to the sample...but not today! :-)

I really NEEDED to stamp today, at least a little. It's been a while, and I felt the uncontrollable urge to get my fingers inky. So I took a little time off to play along with the Featured Stamper's Challenge at SCS.

Today's featured stamper is Scrapinxtras . She is super talented, and I really enjoyed browsing her gallery. The card I chose to CASE can be seen HERE .

One thing I love about this card is that it was quick and easy. The designer paper is doing most of the work for you! If you needed a card to mass produce, this would be a good one!

The stamp I used is Penny Black's You Are Kind!

Since I didn't have a black flower, I colored a small white Prima flower with a black Tombow marker. Worked like a charm! The designer paper is from Sandylion. There is just something about black and red that I love!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm already working on another card for you, so I will be back to post it as soon as it's finished.

And the winners are..........

You guys DO make me smile all over my face! What a great group you are!

Sorry to be so late posting, but an order from Inkadinkado was on my doorstep when I got home from work tonight and I just had to get them in the store. You can find them HERE . The Birds Galore stamp set is also back in stock. They sold out the first day the last time I had them in stock!

So....on to the winners?

The first winner is Julie Koerber.

Julie Koerber said...
Wow! Cool! Happy Blogoversary! What I am in love with are the 6 X6 or 8X8 pads of decorative paper. I never was a dp freak, but I seem to be now! I can't get enough! So, I would say, paper, paper, paper! And embellies to match... and... (just kiddin') I think you get my drift!!! :-) Keep up the good work!
March 27, 2008 9:37 AM

Note: I have Memory Box 6 x 6 paper pads in stock now. And the NEW Basic Grey paper pads are on order, so watch for their arrival.

The second winner is Sally!
Sally said...
Glad to hear you are looking in to Inque Boutique. Thanks for the candy! (not sure if first post worked)
March 27, 2008 12:35 PM

And last but not least, the third winner is Allison!
Allison said...
I'll click on that again...and thanks for being so thorough!
March 27, 2008 10:26 AM

If you will all send me your snail mail address, I will get your packages out to you right away.

Thanks to each of you for playing. Your answers to what you would like to see in the store were invaluable, and I appreciate them so much!

I hope you all have a Fabulous Friday!

Another Chance for Dreamy Treats....and other stuff

Is it Wednesday...already? I don't know WHERE this week has gone! I've been so busy at the office by day, and with the store by night that the week has just flown by!

I have really enjoyed reading all your responses to the Blogoversary post. I think I should tell you that some companies DO NOT sell to other retailers. For example, Papertrey Ink, Flourishes, Bella, and several others are exclusive only to their website. You must buy those directly from them. Cornish Heritage Farms sells only to one other retailer...and no others. So as hard as I try, some images I'm just not able to get for you...darn it! (Wouldn't it be nice if I could?) I love all of those companies, too!

*More Hero Arts embellishments were ordered a week or so ago, and should be here later next week.

*The Tim Holtz Design ruler is typically in stock, but has been on backorder recently. I will have it again as soon as my supplier gets it.

*I have had all of the new Cuttlebug folders...just temporarily out of stock, and so is my supplier!

*A new shipment from Northwoods Rubber Stamps should be here soon. I just LOVE their stamps!

*I already have an account with Rubber Soul. I'm waiting for a new release from them to order.

*Inque Boutique is another company that seems to have some great stuff! I've asked some members of my Design Team to look into it and make some recommendations.

*I have been looking into adding ribbon to the store for some time now. Every time I go to the May Arts website I get overwhelmed with sooooooooooo many pretty ribbons to choose from! But soon I will narrow it down and make a selection from the hundreds of choices.....I hope? :-)

For my Canadian and other International customers...I MUST apologize to you. I only discovered this afternoon that the First Class Mail option was not working properly in the store...but it is now! Thanks for your patience as I work out the kinks.

SO....since I've been slacking and don't have any eye candy for you tonight, what if I give you all another chance at the blog candy? You can comment on THIS post for another opportunity to win one of the three gifts I have listed in my post below. Please, just one post per person.

I promise to get some stamping done....soon!

Tomorrow night I will be back to announce the winners of the blog candy.

Until then........

Blogoversary....and Dreamy Treats!

Oh my gosh....did you realize that I am having a Blogaversary this week? I've been soooooo busy getting the new store open that I almost overlooked it!

Geez...a year already? Where DID the time go? I've had so much fun blogging, and I have to tell you all that I appreciate every one of you. Your comments and encouragement are priceless. It is because of you that I am here....and I know that!

I am also celebrating the opening of my new webstore Stamper's Dream!. It is such a coincidence that my blogoversary and the opening of my new webstore are happening at the same time! How ironic is that???

So.....in order to show my thanks and appreciation to you, I am giving THREE Dreamy Treats! Each includes three small ink pads, one container of Art Institue Glitter, May Arts ribbon and stamps!

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. If you are a registered customer at Stamper's Dream , you get TWO chances to win!

The question I want you to answer is what do I NOT carry in my store that you would like to see there. I am always looking for new stamp companies, embellishments and fun things to add to my inventory. And who better to ask than you, my loyal friends?

Since I don't have Random Cara, I will use the Random number selector thingy to pick the three winners. They will be announced Thursday night, March 27. Please, only one comment per person.

Thanks......and good luck to you all!

Appreciate what is....

I hope you all had a very Happy Easter and found some good eggs!

Before I get to my card, I have to tell you that I'm breathing s small sigh of relief that the store is up and running well, and if there are any MAJOR glitches, I just don't know what they are (yet)! Now, just because I said that something will bite me, won't it? LOL!

I would be remiss if I didn't thank Sara for all her untiring efforts. Sara is the graphics artist who created the artwork for my blog, as well as my store. She put up with me when I was tired and frazzled, and kept on keepin' on. She IS the best there is...and I encourage you to look her up at Tweaks and Designs .
The main image on this card is from Memory Box, and it's called 3 Vases With Flowers . I stamped it on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. The stamped imaged was colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts Anytime Messages Clear Design stamp set. I know I said this yesterday, but I LOVE that set, and use it a lot!

The designer paper is from the Memory Box Sugar Collection . And the bling in each corner of the flower panel is Hero Arts Citron Gemstones .

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The future belongs....

While I was trying to find something on my desk this afternoon I found this *lost card* that I made before I started working on my new website. (Don't ask me how that happens...it just does!) So that's a good thing...right? It gave me something to post for you tonight.

I will admit that my taste is pretty eclectic. Elegant cards are my favorite, but I DO love the artsy stamps, and I adore the cute ones too. I guess that pretty much covers everything, doesn't it? LOL! This stamp is Paper Inspirations Dance of the Butterflies . I've had this stamp for some time now, and have used it many times.
I stamped it with Versafine Onyx Black ink on cardstock, then used chalks and a Q-tip to color. I wanted it to have a soft wispy look.

The blue background is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder for texture.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts Anytime Messages clear stamp set. I can't tell you how many times I have used that set! I stamped with VersaFine Ink , then embossed with Seafoam White embossing powder.

Tip: Be SURE to use a static guard to swipe your cardstock before stamping and embossing, especially if your cardstock is a dark color. I use Suze Weinberg's Puff Static Away . I promise that if you use a static guard it will save you a lot of cardstock thrown in the trash due to stray embossing powder particles. This IS the voice of experience here! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by....I will have something new for you soon!

And I hope you all have a special and Happy Easter!

FINALLY...my BIG Announcement!

I am so sorry to keep you all in suspense for so long. But honestly, I have been working my tail off day and night for many weeks now! There just hasn't been time for anything else (except my real job). Gotta keep that goin' if you KWIM! LOL!

I have moved my store to my own domain. You can find it here at Stamper's Dream . The domain name is stampersdream.com. So that shouldn't be too hard for you to remember.

I had hoped to write a fabulous post full of fluff and new things, but to be honest with you, I only launched the store about two hours ago, and since then I've been busy deleting inventory from my eBay store and a multitude of other things that just must get done immediately!

Will I EVER get to stamp again? Have I forgotten how? Do I still have my Mojo? Those are questions I have asked myself daily, and they don't yet have an answer. :-)

I apologize for the short post, but there is much yet to do tonight. And I DO think a glass of wine (or two?) is in order!

More soon....I promise!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Coming up for air.....and a RAK!

I'm coming up for air, just to let you all know I'm still here....working hard. It should only be a few more days, then I will be able to reveal the big surprise!

In the meantime, I wanted to share this gorgeous card with you. I received it from Jennifer at Thimbles, Bobbins, Paper and Ink . If you haven't visited her blog, please be sure to check it out!

Jennifer won my blog candy a while back. As I was packaging up the goodies to mail to her, I saw this stamped image on my desk, so I threw it in the package. I happen to know from my regular stops at her blog that she is an EXCELLENT watercolor artist!

Much to my surprise, I received this beautiful card in the mail from her, thanking me for the blog candy!

The image is Penny Black's A Touch . I stamped it on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder.

At that point it went in the mail, and Jennifer took over from there! Her coloring and shading on the card is just gorgous. If I had to guess, I think she probably used Tombow markers. I sure hope my photograph captured the depth of color. Her note inside the card commented on the Copper Stickles she won in her blog package. She used them here on the flower centers.

Thanks so much Jennifer....I LOVE this card, and it was so very thoughtful for you to send it!

And thanks to all of you for stopping by. I will be back as soon as I can....PROMISE!

I'm alive! I'm alive!

I apologize for not posting lately....but I've been soooooooooo busy with a project that I really can't share just yet. I have had quite a few emails from loving and concerned friends asking if I am okay. I am fine (a little NUTS maybe!), but primarily just swamped with this project. It's been all consuming, for sure! Thanks SO much for your emails. I hope to answer each of them individually when I have a spare moment.

ANYWAY...I haven't had any free time for stamping, but I did get an order from Inkadinkado tonight, so I stopped what I was doing to get those listed in the store for you. There are some really beautiful clear stamp sets, and some humorous wood mounted stamps that I ABSOLUTELY ADORE! Of course, I must admit that my sense of humor isn't like everyone elses! LOL! That MAY be a good thing! :-)

The Roller Coaster sentiment is pretty much how I feel right now! Is that cute, or what? The only thing is that I don't scream as much as I really want to! LOL!

The nap sentment is one of my all time favorites. I had a couple of people to unsubscribe to my blog in the last few days because I hadn't posted. Initially, it kind of upset me, then I realized, in the whole scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal. I do this because I want to, and there is no charge for it. It's free to my friends, as it should be. Life goes on. So this sentiment came to mind!

Thanks to all of you for hanging in there with me. I will have a big announcement in a week or two....and will post as much as I can until then.

You ARE the best...and I appreciate you so, so much!

No stamping tonight!

Sorry, but there was no time for stamping tonight!

When I got home from work, the new My Favorite Things stamps were on my doorstep. And they are just too, too cute!

In addition to that, I also received an order from Stampendous , which included all the new colors of their Fun Flock . Of course, since those are new, I had to photograph and edit the pictures to get them posted. So.....no stamping. Bummer!

I hope to be back tomorrow night with something new for you to see. At least, that's the plan.

Thanks for stopping by!

Michael Douglas...and a RAK from Cammie!

What a day! After suffering through a SUPER busy day at the office today, and having to sit through THE MOST BORING 2-hour meeting EVER, my boss came to get me to go watch a shoot of the Michael Douglas movie! Woo hoo!

We sat in the courtroom while they rehearsed a scene...about three times. When Michael Douglas walked in the room, my heart fluttered....LITERALLY! He was probably only about 15 feet away from me. What a special treat!

Then when I got home I had a new Hero Arts order on my doorstep. I have already listed the new stamps from their 2008 Spring Release. Be sure to check them out in the store HERE . The new ones are listed at the end of the Hero Arts images.

But I digress....on to the card!
I received this gorgeous card in the mail the other day from my good friend Carolyn King . Isn't it beautiful?

The main image on the card is Hero Arts Flourish Lily . She accented the stamen and outline of the flower using a Stardust Clear Gelly Roll glitter pen.

The sentiment is Penny Black's Think Spring . I just love the font they used. And I love the way that Carolyn stamped it on a round tag.

For all the deets about how she made this card, please see her blog post HERE .

Thank you Carolyn.....it makes me feel so special to get a handmade card in the mail. Especially one as beautiful as this! You truly are a great friend to me. :-)

Thanks to all of you for stopping by, and for all of your sweet and thoughtful comments.

Dandelion Treasures

When I saw this Dandelion stamp in the Hero Arts catalog, I knew I just had to have it!

I stamped it on yellow cardstock using VersaFine Onyx Black ink. To add color around the Dandelion, I made a template by punching a scallop in a piece of scrap paper with my Circle Nestabilities. I placed the template "hole" over the Dandelion, then colored the inside of the punched out hole using Tombow markers.

For a little sparkle I used a Stardust Clear Gelly Roll glitter pen to accent the Dandelion. Sadly, it doesn't show up in the picture very well.
The sentiment is Penny Black's Special Treasures . I added a yellow button threaded with purple embroidery thread, and mounted on a purple layer that was scalloped by using a corner rounder.

And before I forget to tell you....I had a HUGE thrill today! They are filming a movie at the Courthouse where I work. As I was leaving today I saw Michael Douglas getting out of his car. I know, I must sound like a groupie. But honestly, how often does one see Michael Douglas...IN PERSON! He was only a few feet away from me! Be still my heart!

In the movie he plays the part of a District Attorney, so they needed our courtrooms to film some of the trial scenes. The name of the movie is Beyond A Reasonable Doubt. Another of the major actors in the movie is the young guy from Desperate Housewives that was the gardener who had an affair with Edie (Nicollette Sheridan). I haven't seen him yet...but I have my fingers crossed!

Thanks so much for stopping by tonight!

Elegant Flower RAK!

I wanted to share this BEAUTIFUL card I received in the mail last week. (And it had the sweetest note inside.) It was a RAK from my friend and Design Team member, Tosh (aka stamps4funinCA on SCS). Is this one fabulous card, or what?

Tosh is a member of SCS Dirty Dozen, and she makes some awesome cards, so be sure to check them out on her blog Stamp Talk with Tosh , or her SCS Gallery HERE .

The main image is Hero Arts Elegant Flower .

The background on the green panel is Penny Black's Scrolling Along . And the sentiment is from Hero Arts Thinking of You Messages .

For all the deets on how she made the card, please be sure to check it out on her blog post HERE .

My most sincere thanks to my friend Tosh for the gorgeous card. It totally made my day! And my thanks to all of you for stopping by tonight.

More tomorrow. Until then.......

Masculine Cat Tails

What a day! I didn't have a spare moment all day long, and I honestly can't see what I've accomplished. Don't you hate those days????

I did take time this morning to play along with this week's Featured Stamper challenge at SCS. This week's featured stamper is Petal Pusher, and you can find her awesome gallery HERE .

The card I chose to CASE is called Stems for a Man's Man . I rarely pass up an opportunity to make a masculine card. Since I have two sons and 5 grandsons, I'm ALWAYS in need of a guy card!

I changed the stamps, paper and embellishments, but kept the general layout of the card.

The main image is Paper Inspirations Cat Tails . Is that a great stamp for masculine cards, or what? I colored on the rubber with Tombow markers, spritzed with water using my JudiKins Fine Mister then stamped on white marl paper. Using my Ink Sweeper I lightly sponged the edges of the panel with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.

The green background panel was also stamped with Versafine Sepia Ink using JudiKins Crackle Background .

I stamped the sentiment from Heartfelt Messages using Versafine Sepia Ink. I punched it out with SU! Designer Labels, and adhered it using foam tape for dimension.

The oriental coins are from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I plan to be back tomorrow.

Until then....

NEW Cuttlebug folders in stock!

I was TOTALLY slacking last night...no post. Of course, some of you may have noticed that! BUT....I was having sooooooooooo much fun!

For Christmas, my best friend bought us tickets to the Michael Buble concert, which was last night. Before the concert we went to Ernest's Supper Club for dinner. And that was probably the best meal I've had in a while! YUM! For those of you who don't live in Northwest Louisiana, I can just tell you that it's a special treat.

After dinner we went to the concert, which didn't start until 8 pm. There was a group which did the opening that I really didn't expect to like, but they were just GREAT! They had no instruments, everything was acapella....and totally impressive!

THEN....Michael started singing about 9:00, and after several standing ovations, kept performing until around 11:00. It was the MOST FABULOUS concert I've ever been to. Honestly, I would put it right up there with the Elton John concert I attended several years ago. So if you ever get a chance to go to one of his performances, I promise you will not be disappointed!

This is one of the photos I took at the concert.

AND...the newly released Cuttlebug folders came in last night. A few of them are pictured here, but you can find them all HERE ! I hope to get some stamping done tomorrow, so be sure to stop back by.

Thanks so much!