created by Katie

When a girl can't stamp....

it can be pretty hard.  :( 

LOL.  I hope no one took my Friday post as complaining..just laying it all on the table.  When a stamper can't stamp, life can get pretty down!  Am I right?    I just have a hard time seeing pretty cards and not making any. 

I did do some other things tho.  The major was the sewing of this quilt top.  I found this at a *local* craft store. (AKA 200 miles away- The Quilting Hen)  I just got the top thinking it would take me all winter to work on it and finish it.  Sewing a little each day last week got me DONE!  So now, I am going to get some black minky material (super soft stuff) and put on the back.  Am also going to attempt to quilt it myself, as I do not want to pay big bucks and I do not want them to see my poor job.  LOL 

 
 
I also played a lot with my Cricut and SCAL program.  I bought some designs from My Vinyl Designer and wanted to do a lil etching on glass.  My uncle had requested some mirrors from my parents and wanted a couple things etched on them.  So I wanted to play a little with it first.  Mom had these lil ornaments laying around so I used them up with the stick figures I got from MVD.  It was intricate work but they are cute.  I get the kids new ornaments each year, so these are it for 2009.   I didn't get any pictures yet. :( 

I also wanted to make something for the teachers.  I saw this idea on MVD too, and knew that I had these canvas bags in the storage room.  I cut the vinyl and adhered them to the bags.  I hope they work and LAST!  ??  I am super new to this OK? 

 

Now I am finishing a Chenille Cuddler I started when I was pregnant with McKinley.  That is how I normally sew.  But now I am putting the Golden Girls in the laptop to watch and sewing away.  I show you later this whenever it's done. LOL

Some info:  I purchased the Sure Cuts a Lot program for my Cricut HERE, and I love it.  In addition to cartridges, you can also use the fonts you already have on your computer.  Very much worth the investment. 

When I cut out a bear and a barrel racer for my uncle, I used clip art, and the Trace function on SCAL. 

When I get designs from My Vinyl DesignerI get them in a .svg file.  Then when I go into SCAL I simply Import the .svg file, make the size I want, and cut.  MVD is a wealth of info.  That is where I got a lot of my ideas and learned how to use the Cricut with SCAL and vinyl.  Check out their You Tube videos...very helpful. 

I got my vinyl from local people who do a lot of it...local gals - Eclectic by Design.  I got it for my birthday so I do not know the price.  I know that you can get the Cricut vinyl as well. 

TEMPLATES- I have found some fun templates that are in SVG files also.Lindsay has some on her blog and some are free.  Papertrey Inkis releasing a new series called Click Simple.  Lauren Meader, how was doing My TimeLess Templates for PTI, now has her own website coming soon.  These make cutting  a breeze. 

I am going to try and post more details and info like this near the bottom of each post.  I won't reinvent the wheel, but I have some questions sometimes from local people who don't read other blogs.  So please don't think I am trying to be the grand master of stamping, but my new resolution is to be more precise on here and not assume everyone knows what I am talking about.  If you have a question, please comment and post them or email me!  Thanks everyone!

Humble Pie Friday Challenge

TGIF.  did ya hear me?  TGIF!!

First off, it's time for a Humble Pie Challenge.  Head over to the HPS blog today and play along with us.  Our challenge is to use dry embossing on a paper project.  There are many possibilites.  AND there is a prize - 3 Winter Humble Pie Stamps + papers and embellies to go with it!! 

I thought I had all my projects done for this month.  However I could not find this card.  So when I looked, it seems to me that I didn't do a card for this challenge.  But do stop over at the Humble Pie blog and see what that other crafter bakers did.  I promise you I have one for next week!  LOL

This week has been a good one but busy.  The temps were in the negative all week.  Yesterday was the exception with 9 above.  It was WARM!!!  We have had workers here all week.  Not too much of a problem as I want the jobs done, but you know how it is when they are here.  I wanted to bake, but they came through the kitchen and I didn't want to be in the way.  So I have been sewing.  I have almost completed the top of the blanket I got to work on throughtout the winter.  I am going to finish up another one that I started 3 years ago as well. 

I am having paper crafting withdrawls, but I can't bring myself to bring anything upstairs.  We already have too much up here that usually goes downstairs.   

The kids have been sick too.  Mostly RC, and I'm taking him in today.  I think it's strep as it's going around the school.  Mc was home yesterday too but she is fine and went back today. 

All in all, it's been a good week, but busy and crazy. Hope you enjoy your weekend...I plan to enjoy mine!

Show Us Your SheetLoad and I'll show you mine!

It is time for one final round of Show Us Your SheetLoad and two lucky winners this month will receive free digital stamps from our December sponsor - Doodle Palace!!

Head on over to the SheetLoad blog today and find out how you can be entered to win.

 

Today I thought I would share one of my creations from the final issue. 

I love this lil bear by the Doodle Palace.  He is so cute, and I happened to see one of the kid's bears nearby so I grabbed it for the picture. 

 

Stamps: Doodle Palace ( Baby Bear with Sail Boat), Stampin' Up! (Congratulations); Cardstock: Stampin Up! ( Very Vanilla, Taken with Teal); Bazzill (Birthstones Pink); Patterned Paper: October Afternoon ( Daydream); Brads: Basic Grey; Rhinestones: Kaisercrafts (Aquamarine); Tools: Corner Rounder, Copics

 

We are still freezing here.  I am still pluggin away on my quilt top. Hoping that I can finish it to keep myself warm.  I am starting to have some paper crafting withdrawls tho. Should be able to get back into my room next week at least long enough to make a few cards!!   

 

Thanks for stopping in!     

{Sweet Sketch Wednesday) Sketch 27

Brrr...  I hope this post finds you warm and toasty today, sipping on your favorite warm drink while you check out the SSW Sketch and the cute creations the DT has made.  We are nestled in warm hoping for the temps to rise above 0* F. Yes, we spent yesterday indoors too since it was below zero all day PLUS a nasty wind chill. 

Also as I type the remodel in the basement is going smoothly.  I am thinking they are enjoying working indoors.  We also have a friend who is putting up trim around our windows.  There are a lot of extra people here this week

OK, enough blab - Wednesday is upon us and it's time to play with the Sweet Sketch Wednesday girls!  Arlana has created another beautiful sketch, and this week we have a new sponsor.  Merrigan of Bee Crafty Digital Stamps is sponsoring us, and she has some cute lil images to play with. 

 
I was lucky to get two images to play with and created two cards for you today!

This image is called Whimsical Girl Ice Cream.  I had to work pretty hard to pull out some summery colors in the blah of fall here.  I stamped an ippity Butterfly on the base Pretty in Pink cs with Versamark Shimmerz ink.  Then I matted this older Basic Grey DP on More Mustard cs.  The darker pink was in my scrap basket, and I added some scalloped edges.  After I tied the ribbon, I added a ghost shape butterfly. I used my Nesties to cut out the sentiment.

 
 This card seems pretty busy to me.  This is Little Lady Kitty Cuddles.  After I colored her I cut her out,  and then I drew the sidewalk with a technique I found on Amy R's blog.  The DP is from Cosmo Cricket and the cs is all SU.  I ran the middle chunk through the Cuttlebug with an embossing folder.  The rest is pretty simple.  

I've taken up a sewing project this week since I can't be in my stamp room, I don't care to haul a lot of stuff upstairs.  I just hauled up my machine and project.  Hopefully by weekend I can show you my top. 

I am also trying to get my Holiday Goodies whipped up and get them ready to be delivered.  Hubster keeps giving away the jerky we made, so they may be short on that. 

Just trying to keep warm and stay put.  I will try to show you my Sheetload projects tomorrow and then I have a Humble Pie card for Friday.  Until then, keep warm...and send me some sunshine!!  Enjoy the Sweet Wednesday!

Sheetload Blogaversary

Want to find out how you can win the following goodies?!?!

Four (4) Assorted Clear Stamp Sets by Three Bugs in a Rug

(actual sets shown)

&

Nine (9) Assorted Packages of Thickers

(Image above is for illustration only and does not show actual assortment.)

Head on over to SheetLoad of Cards today. They are celebrating their 2nd Blogaversary, and you may be getting the presents.

H{ippity} Hop Blog Hop

Happy Hopping Monday!!  Today is the first H{ippity} Blog Hop!  YAY!!  If you want to check out ALL of the blog hoppers head over the Unity Opportunity Blog and see the list. It's FULLof fabulous hoppers.  And the fabulous ippity!  AH!

Keep reading to the end of the post for a special {ippity} Sale!   

I played along with a few challenges last week over at ippity and thought I would share those cards here today.  Enjoy!

This beauty was created for the Color Challenge at SCS.  What yummy colors - Black, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.  Aren't they dreamy together?  The set is Because of You and you can order it from me HERE too.  I used my glue pen to color the birds and then added some Sparkly Stuff. I got it from Taylored Expressions and the label reads Our Craft Lounge.  You can find it here.  Don't want you to think I'm crazy calling it that.  *wink*

The papers I used are SU and Bazzill black.  I picked up this fun ribbon at Hobby Lobby in Rapid I think.  I also added a heart ghost shape. 

This card is a lil brighter.  I used the DP from My Minds Eye that I got with my ippity orders.  This one is for the sketch challenge last week at SCS.  The image is colored with Copics and from the set Straight from the Heart.  I cut the sentiment out with my Nesties Labels 4, and then I used a heart to make the shape on the white.  I paper pierced it. 

Here is a detail shot.  My ink was smearing and I was hurrying.  Oops! 

Katie's {ippity} Sale-  $2 off all sets!  Visit my ippity sales blog to order!
**This is good for all orders placed through me TODAY(Monday, December 7th, 2009.)  Use the paypal check out.  I will refund you the $2 per set ordered. Contact me if you have any questions.... jstaskif@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by today...Hop on over to the other Hopper's blogs now too!  

On my couch.

Hey there.  Had to pop on to share these cute cards I whipped up this afternoon.

Much to the delight of the boys we woke up to snow.  And it's been snowy all day.  I am in my PJ pants still and loving it.  I did some nasty chores...aka laundry...while i watched a movie and then finally stole some time in my craft room. 

Tomorrow the ladies at church are doing a lil gift exchange, and I thought I should make some cards rather than buy something silly. I hope that they go over well.

I *had* to order some new paper, and since I am in love with PTI's white cs, I also decided to break down and cross another one of their sets of my list and I am so happy I did.  And well it's actually 2.  *shhh*

The two sets I got were On My Couch and On My Couch Additions.  And you guys!!  They are so easy to create simple and CUTE cards!! 

I simply grabbed some papers from Colorbok and October Afternoon, and then went to town.  Paper pieceing, coloring, etc.  It was so fun.  I think I need to find some more time this weekend to make a pile more!

They are all simple, and I didn't want to go into too much detail on them. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do. *wink*

That is all for this weekend.  I have my cup of warm Chai, gonna grab a blanket and try to steal the tv away to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend...stay warm!!

Final Shout Out to SheetLoad

Over at SheetLoad of Cards, we are having one final "Shout Out and Win" challenge.

Find out how you can be entered to win a Scrapbooking 'Grab Bag', donated Doodle Palace (our December sponsor) valued at $40!!

Even though this is our last issue, we still would LOVE to get some new readers. The Archive of issues will be available until at least May of 2010.

A CASE of Humble Pie

TGIF!!  Hooray!  Friday means that we have another recipe cooked up from the Humble Pie Bakers.  This week's challenge is to CASE (Copy and Share Everything) our fabulous Kim B.  You can see her blog HERE or you can CASE a card from the Humble Pie Blog that Kim B. posted. 

I choose to CASE this card that Kim posted on her blog on the 10th of October. 

 
I used a Christmas Maggie image instead of the one she used.  I still used my Nesties to cut her out, however Kim used the scalloped Nesties. 

I stuck with the scallop edge on the right side, and instead of baubles I used some pearls that my friend Khristi gave me.  And then  I made the sentiment smaller.  Kim is more of a scrappier card maker than I am.  However I hope you enjoy, and that you play along.  Head over to the Humble Pie blog to play along. 

Here are the Copics I used to make this card so pretty.  *wink*

Enjoy your Friday... 

Very Simple Flower Cards

ETA - Links to Alicia's Post on Remembering SheetLoad.

Hi there readers. 

I have some news today. This will be the last post I will be doing as a Dog Gone Stamps Design Team Member.  I have asked to step down from this position. 

And if you saw the post Tuesday, you will see this is the last month as a Design Team member for SheetLoad.  Alicia is sharing a Walk Down Memory Lane HERE on the blog.   I've enjoyed all of my Design Team experiences a lot!  I have learned a lot and am grateful for the insight. *wink*  

This next week we are starting some remodel work, mostly in the basement getting the walls redone and the ceiling finished.  It won't spill into my craft room, however we have to move a lot of things around, have stuff out of place, along with holiday stuff out.  It's going to be crazy.  I am happy to report that I have all of my duties for SSW and Humble Pie Stamps done through the end of the month.  Now I can enjoy life a bit.  I will stay on with those companies for now. 

I also plan to work more with my ippity cards, although I do not plan to try out for their design team.  I might try out for other companies, but I will be a lil more selective. 

I don't really plan any other changes for myself in the new year.  I am pretty happy to be able to be mom and wife.  That is a job I'll continue to enjoy until I have to find something else. 

Should things get quiet around here, it's probably due to the madness that will be ensuing for this next month.  I will share remodel pics too as they come along. 

OK, enough blabber, how bout some cards!

Both cards were made with the cute flower images from Dog Gone Stamps.  I colored them with Copics.  This was great practice for shading.  Then the rest was very simple...I dry embossed the cardstock with my Cuttlebug.   I added a touch of Certainly Celery ribbon from Stampin' Up!

The sentiments are from Stampin' Up! too.  I don't know what set they belong to anymore, I just throw all of my sentiment stamps in one drawer by the desk. 

Both are very simple, and added to my stash of birthday cards that I can never keep in stock.  LOL

Copics - I have had a few questions about Copics.  (You can find way more intensive Copic discussions elsewhere, but for my readers,) I bought my Copics at Carpe Diem.  Other places sell them and when you Google it you can find them.  I say look around and wait for a sale. I bought the Sketch Markers and got them in a set of 72.  There is quite a variety there, and since I've only bought some other shades of purple.  Right now that price is pretty reasonable for the sets of 72.

I don't recommend buying only one of each color or you won't get the shading you are looking for with Copics. There is also a blender pen, which I have ordered and haven't got yet.  Hope that helps out a lil.  I'm no expert and not trying to be, just sharing what I can for the ones who asked.  LOL.