Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Poinsettia Box


As I was unpacking the new Holly Berry House stamps last night, I remembered this box I made YEARS ago! Actually, I don't remember making the box, I just remembered having it. Ha!

The stamp used for the box topper is Holly Berry's Persnickity Poinsettia Medium rubber stamp. It was stamped three times on white cardstock, and embossed with Detail Gold embossing powder. The stamped images were colored with Prisma Colored Pencils.

You can see from the image which layers were cut away, then stacked and popped up using foam tape. The center of the poinsettia is gold beads from the jewelry department at Michael's. They were adhered with JudiKins Diamond Glaze because it holds so well and dries clear. I'm pretty sure the box came from Michael's also.

I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make. And let me tell ya, it's been HARD to keep this one a secret for so long. I'm dying to tell you, but I can't until tomorrow. So be sure to stop by tomorrow morning to see what it is. Okay? You're just going to love it! :-)

Until then...

Monday, June 29, 2009

NEW! Basic Grey & Holly Berry House!



I was quite surprised when I got home from work tonight and the NEW Basic Grey shipment was on my doorstep! Isn't it gorgeous???

And if aren't familiar with Holly Berry House Originals you are in for SUCH a treat!

This stamp is from the Mission Bells collection. I have included a picture of the samples from the Holly Berry House website so you can see the end result, and what gorgeous ornaments they make!



Be sure to see all the new Holly Berry House stamps in the store.

This is short and sweet, I know. But I'm pooped! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Siberian Iris - FS125

This morning when I saw that Dawn was the featured stamper on Splitcoast, I knew I wanted to case one of her gorgeous cards! You can find her gallery HERE and her awesome blog is Dawn...A New Day .


The card I chose to case can be seen HERE . I loved her coloring on that gorgeous flower, so I couldn't resist.

The flower is from the Flourishes Siberian Iris clear stamp set. I stamped on Strathmore 140 lb watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder.

The stamped image was colored with Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush. The Tombow marker colors I used are 062,025,925,126 and 177. After coloring I cut out the image and popped it up with foam tape on a panel cut with my Long Rectangle Nestabilities.

This is a close up of the sentiment panel. The sentiment is from the Impression Obsession Sympathy Sentiments clear stamp set. I stamped it on Basic Grey Porcelain paper, then cut and embossed with Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio die cut. I wanted a little more depth to the sentiment, so I used the Ribbon Tags Trio to cut Spring Willow Prismatics to get two more pieces. I adhered one to the top and bottom of the sentiment to frame it. This may not be an original idea, but it's the first time I've thought of doing it. The ribbon is May Arts 3/8" Olive Satin .

For the inside of the card I used another sentiment from Impression Obsession's Sympathy Sentiments .

I used my Martha Stewart Cornice Edge Punch to make the decorative border.

The cardstock is Spring Willow Prismatics dark and Sunflower Prismatics medium. The designer paper is Basic Grey Porcelain.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you're all having a great Sunday!

Friday, June 26, 2009

It's my birthday...and we're having a SALE!



I couldn't resist putting this video on my blog. It's my FAVORITE! I spend EVERY birthday with Paul McCarntney. :-) Doesn't he make you want to get up and dance?

I have to say, this has been the most special birthday I can remember! The fabulous Dream Team and some very, very dear friends of mine honored me today by posting birthday cards for me. (And what a surprise that was!!!) I tell ya...it brought tears to my eyes to know you all went to so much trouble just for me! Thanks to every single one of you, from the bottom of my heart! I have the bestest friends, don't I?

And to celebrate my birthday I put A LOT of things on sale in the store, and further marked down some that were already on sale!

All Our Craft Lounge stamps are now 40% off!

All Spellbinders Impressabilities , Labels Four , and Dahlia Nestabilities are on sale for 20% off!

A number of items are on sale in the JustRite Stampers category including the newly released Tiny Words & Centers .

Other categories have sale items as well, but you can find them ALL if you click on SALES AND SPECIALS .

Thanks so very much for all your birthday wishes, and for stopping by today!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

You Make Life Sweet!

I've had quite a day today! I took a day of vacation to take care of some things. Nothing fun...believe me. After buying a new office chair, banking, dry cleaners, etc., I went to Wal Mart to buy groceries. Oh yeah...I also broke both pair of my sunglasses today. How does THAT happen?

Anyway, standing in the middle of Wal Mart I found a tearful little 4-year old boy. He had gotten lost from his grandmother, and he was so afraid! I tried to comfort him, then took him to the Customer Service desk so we could page his grandmother. When I asked him his grandmother's name, he said "grandmother". Okay...we started again. After giving a description of the boy, it took a while but his grandmother finally heard the page and came to us. She was crying...he was crying...and by then even I was crying! LOL! I just love stories with happy endings. I'm such a wimp! :-)

I also bought the book The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. It's been on the New York Times Bestseller list for a while now, and from what I've heard it tends to be a bit controversial. Have any of you read it yet??? I've love to hear what you think.

Okay...I know you didn't come here to hear about my day. So on to the card!

All stamps used on this card are from the Impression Obsession Cupcakes clear stamp set. I stamped on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. The image was colored with Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush.

On the cherries and strawberry I added a thin layer of JudiKins Diamond Glaze . On the cake plate I put a small dot of Petal Pink Liquid Pearls on each of the beads.

The scallops were cut with a Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch . The ribbon is May Arts 5/8" Rose Sheer ribbon.


The designer paper is from the My Mind's Eye Penny Lane collection called Tiny Dancer . The cardstock is Pink Prismatics and Suede Brown Prismatics .

Thanks so much for stopping by. I will be back tomorrow, and hope you are too.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Wishing You a Perfect Day

You know I warned you that it wouldn't be too long before you saw more of these cute little Penny Black images!

This one is from the Penny Black Teddy & Company clear stamp set. I stamped it on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. The stamped image was colored with Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush.

The sentiment is from the Whiff of Joy General Sayings stamp set.

The designer paper is from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper pad. The little butterflies were punched with a Martha Stewart punch. I added Mini Rhinestones to their bodies using my Quickie Glue Pen as the adhesive.

The cardstock is Nautical Blue Prismatics and Candle Glow Prismatics .

Thanks so much for stopping by tonight. I hope you're all having a great start to your week!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Live your life

I hope you are all having a great Father's Day celebration today! Since my dad has been gone for some years now, I spent a little time stamping.

All stamps used on this card are from the Flourishes stamp set called Life, Love & Lemons .

I stamped the larger lemon tree from the set on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. I then cut and embossed it using my Labels Four Nestabilities . The image was colored using Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush.

The green layer around the main image is Spring Willow Prismatics medium, as is the background. For instructions on how I made the mat to match the Labels Four, you may go to THIS POST .



The designer paper is from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper pad.

I added three Dew Drops and some May Arts ribbon. The yellow cardstock is Candle Glow Prismatics light.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I will be back tomorrow with something new!

Until then...

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tombow Marker Chart

Since I just added Tombow Markers to our inventory at Stamper's Dream, I wanted to share a Tombow Marker Chart that you can download for yourself. Here is the file: Download Tombow Marker Chart. Simply print it on cardstock, then color in each block as you acquire the markers. It's a lifesaver when you are buying more markers because it keeps you from buying duplicate colors. You know we all do that if we don't have a cheat sheet! LOL! It's also a tremendous aid in color selection.

I have included a picture of my completed Tombow Marker Chart for you. It took me a while, but I have collected all 96 colors...and frankly, I use them ALL! I keep this chart on my desk in a sheet protector. When I'm coloring an image a quick look at my chart really helps me choose the colors I want to use as well as matching ink colors to paper.

You should note that some of the colored blocks are two shades of the same color. (You may want to click on the picture to get a better view.) Look at several of the green colors, for example, 098 Avocado. The bottom of the rectangle is darker than the top. I colored the bottom using more ink so show you the darker shade, and used less ink on the top to show you a lighter shade you can get with the same marker.

Keep in mind that this was printed on cardstock...not watercolor paper. You can't really move the color on cardstock like you can on watercolor paper. So there are even more possibilities with watercolor paper and a damp paint brush or blender pen.

You should also note the explanation of the Tombow numbering system that's written on the bottom of the chart.

I hope this was helpful for those of you who are interested in Tombow Markers. In the next day or so I will get the download file for the Tombow chart on my sidebar for you so it's easier to find in the future.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Special Friends

Happy Monday!

I'm still trying to work out of my mojo-less state. So I chose this adorable little bear from the Penny Black Teddy & Company clear stamp set. There are so many cute images in that set!!! I should warn you that you will be seeing them here soon. :-)

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. The stamped image was colored with Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush.

I want to point out here that for the teddy bear I only used one marker (977 Saddle Brown) to get the different shades of brown. All of the greens are also one color (126 Light Olive). With a little practice you will also learn how to get different shades from one marker by applying more or less color from the marker, then using more or less water on your brush for blending.

The sentiment is also included in the Teddy & Company stamp set. I stamped it on Iced Pink Prismatics cardstock then cut and embossed with a Ribbon Tags Trio die cut. The ribbon is Rose Sheer by May Arts. The designer paper is My Mind's Eye Tiny Dancer . The flower centers have a little Yellow Stickles for a touch of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by! I will be back soon, and hope you are too!

Until then...

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Feel Better Soon

I've gotta tell you, on days when you have NO MOJO, the Featured Stamper Challenge at Splitcoast is a good way to get going!

Today's featured stamper is sumtoy . The card from her gallery that I chose to case is HERE . I used the same stamp set, which is the Dr. Pea-Nut clear stamp set from Our Craft Lounge. I changed the color scheme and parts of the layout.

I stamped on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. The stamped image was colored with Tombow Markers and a damp paint brush.

The border on the top and bottom of the card front was made with a Martha Stewart Arch Lattice punch. The designer paper is from the Basic Grey Ambrosia paper pad.


I added Mini Flower Rhinestones on the panel to the right of the stamped image using my Quickie Glue Pen for adhesive. I hope that didn't make this card too feminine. I was going my best to keep it gender neutral.

The sentiment on the inside is also from the Dr. Pea-Nut stamp set. It was cut and embossed using my Labels Four Nestabilities .

The cardstock is Desert Coral Prismatics medium and Gray Prismatics .

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. As for me...I'm off to try to find Mo & Jo. They are obviously missing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, June 12, 2009

NEW! Tombow Markers & Flourishes Release!


I have added Tombow Markers to the inventory at Stamper's Dream. There are 96 different colors, and I have them all in stock.

Tombow's Dual brush pens offer a complete palette of colors with a flexible brush tip and a fine tip in one marker. The brush tip works like a paintbrush to create fine, medium or bold strokes. The fine tip gives consistent lines. The Tombow pen is water-based, non-toxic, acid-free, and odorless. It's the perfect medium for watercoloring your favorite images.


This is the new Waterlily stamp set just released tonight from Flourishes!

This is the new Life, Love & Lemons clear stamp set. Be sure to see THIS SAMPLE made with the set by Kimberly Crawford.


This is the new Patriotism On Parade set. Laurie Schmidlin has two beautiful samples on her blog which you can find HERE .

Thanks for stopping by tonight. I hope you have a great weekend!

Flip Out!

Today I have another card for you made with stamps from Impression Obsession , one of our very favorite companies!
This card is made with the clear stamp set called Flip Out ! I stamped one of the flip flop images from the set on Neenah Solar White cardstock using red pigment ink. Then I stamped the little thong pieces, cut them out, and adhered them with foam tape for dimension. The flowers on the thongs are also in the stamp set, and I added Mini Flower Rhinestones to the centers.

The main image and layers were cut and embossed with my Deckle Rectangle Nestabilities .


The designer paper is from the Snorkel paper kit by Cosmo Cricket. The ribbon is from the Snorkel Ribbon collection, and the wavy punch is from EK Success. The cardstock I used is Yellow Prismatics and Intense Kiwi Prismatics . The charm is from the jewelry section at WalMart.

Two more of the Dream Team members have cards for you today! Please be sure to see Tosha and Kimberly's blogs for some totally awesome Impression Obsession projects!

My special thanks to Mitra, owner of Impression Obsession, and to the always fabulous Dream Team for all their special efforts and awesome work this week. Aren't they the best???

And thanks to each of you for stopping by. Have a fabulous Friday!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Perfume

Welcome to Day 4 of Impression Obsession week at Stamper's Dream! We've been posting cards from their stamp line all week, and will continue through tomorrow.

This stamp is called Perfume . I have to tell you it's a fun image to work with. And it has SO many possibilities!

I stamped on watercolor paper then colored with Tombow (water based) markers. I stamped once again on scrap paper and colored the tops of the perfume bottles, cut them out and popped them up with foam tape. On the orange perfume bottle I added Crystal Ultrafine Glitter adhered with my Quickie Glue Pen . For the other two I added a thin coat of JudiKins Diamond Glaze to make them appear glass-like.

I added Mini Rhinestones to two of the perfume bottles. On the dots of the orange perfume bottle I used Crystal Ultrafine Glitter . Since the glitter is transparent, you can see the color through it.

The main image was cut and embossed with my Labels One Nestabilities . The brad was made with my Easy Bradmaker Kit by punching out one of the orange flowers from the background paper. Perfect match! I just love the customized look!

The designer paper is from the Everafter paper kit by Cosmo Cricket. The orange cardstock is Desert Coral Prismatics medium.

If you click on this last picture to enlarge it you can really see the shine and shimmer added with my Stardust Clear Gelly Roll Pen by Sakura. So pretty and shimmery!

We have more for you today from The Dream Team! Please be sure to check out their awesome creations, and come back tomorrow for even more!

Here is the schedule for today and tomorrow:

Thursday (today) - Becca , Denise , Kimberly and Me

Friday - Kimberly , Tosha , and Me

Thank you so much for stopping by! I will be back tomorrow with a new Impression Obsession card for you.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Butterfly Tree

It's Day 3 at Stamper's Dream for Impression Obsession week!

Today's card is made with a stamp from their newest release called Butterfly Tree . I stamped it on watercolor paper twice, then colored with Tombow markers. I cut out just the top of the tree and adhered it to the base. Three of the butterflies were cut out, glittered with Crystal Ultrafine Glitter and adhered to the tree using my Quickie Glue Pen . How did I EVER live without that thing?


The butterflies that are not on the tree were cut with a Martha Stewart Butterfly punch. I added some Mini Rhinestones to their body for a little dimension and bling.

The designer paper is all from the Girl Friday paper kit by Cosmo Cricket! I LOVE that paper!!! The cardstock is Blush Red Prismatics medium and Island Mist Prismatics light. The little ribbon around the tree is May Arts Pink Burlap string.

The Dream Team has some awesome cards in store for you. So be sure to check out what they have for you today...and the remainder of the week:

Wednesday - Laurie , Tosha , and Me

Thursday - Becca , Denise , Kimberly and Me

Friday - Kimberly , Tosha , and Me

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with a new Impression Obsession card!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Floral Rooster

Or, as I call it...the Funky Chicken. All I could think about when I was coloring this was that ridiculous Funky Chicken dance from the 70's. Do you ever get something like that in your head...and you can't get it out? Honestly, I scare myself sometimes! LOL!



I stamped the Floral Rooster on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with JudiKins Detail Clear embossing powder. the image was colored using Tombow (water based) markers and a damp paint brush. I stamped just the red rose portion on a scrap of watercolor paper, colored, cut it out and popped it up with foam tape.

If you like to color, you're gonna LOVE this stamp! It was a lot of fun to color!


The green and orange decorative panel was cut using my new Martha Stewart Cornice Edge Punch . All the designer paper is from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper pad. The cardstock is Intense Orange Prismatics , Intense Kiwi Prismatics and Black Prismatics .

The buttons from my stash were threaded with Natural Burlap String which I colored with a Copic marker. The Ivory Burlap String would actually work better, but it wasn't sitting on my work table at the time. You know how it is. I would have had to get up and find it? :-)

Be sure to check out what awesome things the rest of The Dream Team has created! This is the schedule for today and the rest of the week:

Tuesday (today) - Cammie , Denise , and Me

Wednesday - Laurie , Tosha , and Me

Thursday - Becca , Denise , Kimberly and Me

Friday - Kimberly , Tosha , and Me

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be back tomorrow with another Impression Obsession card!

Monday, June 8, 2009

BIG Annoucement and Impression Obsession Week at Stamper's Dream

First, my big announcement before I get on to my card. I wouldn't want to keep you in suspense any longer than necessary! :-)
I'm proud to announce to you that Becca Feeken of Amazing Paper Grace is joining the already fabulous The Dream Team at Stamper's Dream! I have long been a fan of her work, and in the last few months I have recently gotten to know her on a personal level. I've gotta tell you, she's as sweet as those awesome creations she makes! She will be joining us this week to celebrate Impression Obsession week at Stamper's Dream. Welcome, Becca! It's such an honor to have you! :-)

This card was not where I was going with it when I started. It does happen sometimes! LOL! The stamp I used is Sweet Lemonade by Impression Obsession. I stamped it three times on watercolor paper using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then embossed with detail clear embossing powder. All images were colored with Tombow (water based) markers.


I cut and embossed the base image using my Curved Rectangle Nestabilities . The second image was colored and layered on top, then a third layer was popped up using foam tape.

Using my Quickie Glue Pen for the adhesive, I added some Crystal Ultrafine Glitter to the umbrella.

For the inside of the card I used the Impression Obsession Sentiment Sweet Things . It was stamped on Yellow Prismatics cardstock, then cut and embossed using Curved Rectangle Nestabilities to match the card front. The lemons and leaves are from the Sweet Lemonade stamp. The patterned paper is Basic Grey Urban Prairie. The pink cardstock is Intense Pink Prismatics .

Be sure to check out what the rest of The Dream Team has for you. This is the schedule for the whole week:

Monday - Charmaine , Laurie , Kimberly and Me

Tuesday - Cammie , Denise , and Me

Wednesday - Laurie , Tosha , and Me

Thursday - Becca , Denise , Kimberly and Me

Friday - Kimberly , Tosha , and Me

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be back tomorrow!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Life Is Sweet - FS122

I made just a little time this morning to play along with the SCS Featured Stamper challenge. This week's featured stamper is Kisa . I hadn't been to her gallery before, and I so enjoyed cruising around looking at all her fabulous cards!

The card I chose to case can be seen HERE . I used the same stamp and layout, but changed the colors, ribbon and patterned paper.

The stamp is from the Life Is Sweet cling stamp set by Our Craft Lounge. AND...all Our Craft Loungs stamps are on sale for 25% off at Stamper's Dream !

I stamped the image on watercolor paper, then colored with Tombow (water based) markers. I put a thin layer of Diamond Glaze on the sundae glass to make it glass-like. The sprinkles are mini rhinestones applied with a touch of Mono Multi Liquid Glue .

The cherry on top is from the Bling Cherries embellishments by Heidi Swapp.


The sentiment is also in the stamp set. I stamped and cut it out using my petite oval nesties. The ribbon is Rose 5/8" Sheer by May Arts.

The designer paper is from the Breaking Free paper kit by My Mind's Eye. The cardstock is Baby Pink Prismatics light and Frosted Teal Prismatics.

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday afternoon! I will be back tomorrow with a BIG announcement, and a full week packed full of new things! I hope to see you here then. :-)

Friday, June 5, 2009

Martha Stewart is now at Stamper's Dream!

I just received a shipment of Martha Stewart Punches! There are new ones which will be released the end of July, and I have ordered those as well. I have to say that I LOVE these punches, and continue to add to my ever growing collection! The two Hydrangea punchesshown below are the ones we use to layer those pretty flowers like the ones in THIS POST . Be sure to check them out in the store.





Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Lots of Happy Mail!

I just HAD to share some of my recent RAKs with you! I tell ya...I have some of THE MOST awesome friends, don't I?

This gorgeous card is from my friend and DT member Carolyn King aka Cammie! The stamp set she used is Flourishes Nasturtiums . You can read the details of how she made this card on her blog post HERE . Thanks my friend...LOVE your card, LOVE your work, and I love you too! :-)

This is another Flourishes card. It's from my dear friend Carol . She used the Sweet Peas stamp set...and didn't she do it up right!!! You can read the details of her card on THIS BLOG POST . Thank you Carol. You are absolutely the sweetest, and this card is simply stunning!

This beautiful card was delivered in a matching envelope that is also handmade! Isn't it gorgeous? It was sent to me by my good friend Becca . I think the background paper is probably recycled from a calendar. How smart is that!

Thanks Becca...I will treasure this beautiful card and your kind words. You are the sweetest, and I have SO enjoyed getting to know you!

And this darling card is from none other than our very own Oodabug Charmaine . She makes the MOST adorable cards, has the sweetest disposition, and is always such a joy! And she's gonna be a momma again soon! Thanks, my friend! You really put a smile on my face with this card!

My thanks to each of you for stopping by! I will be back soon with something new.