Color Challenge Monday

Happy New Year!!! Candice and I thought it would be a fun to do a New Year's card. We chose the colors Black, White, and Gray. We also had to use glitter in some form. I had lots of fun and just kept adding layers. It is very sparkly IRL (In Real LIfe). Here is what I came up with.

Robbie's Card

Paper: White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Silver, DCWV Glitter Stack, Purely Pomegranate Accessories: Cuttlebug Olivia Alphabet, Art Glimmer Crystal Glitter, Stardust Glitter gel pen, Xyron

Candice's Card

Stamp Sets: Riveting and Think Big Paper: Natural White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, DSP Accessories: Circle Punches, Jumbo Eyelet, Rhinestone Brad, Black Velvet Ribbon, and lots of Glitter

Sketch Saturday

I am beginning to think that the only snow we will get is the kind we put on our cards. I thought for certain we would be cold by now. Not that I am complaining but it just didn't seem like Christmas this year.

I saw this sketch on a blog I read StampsPaperScissors and thought it would be fun one to do. I did change it just a little. What do you think?

Stamps: Thanks Snow Much (retired) Paper: White, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Designer Series Paper Ink: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Only Orange, Pretty in Pink Accessories: Snowflake garland and ribbbon (Michael's - both on clearance now), aqua painter, sponge.

In retrospect I think it would have looked better on an Old Olive card. Thanks for looking!

Valentine's Day Bundle

Valentine's Day Bundle

January 2-31, 2008

Promotion Details: Customers - Purchase the Valentine's Day Bundle for just $33.40 and get Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon-FREE!

Hostesses - Hold a workshop of $350 or more and choose any one stamp set from the Spring-Summer Preview 2008 Brochure for FREE!

The Valentine's Day Bundle (item 111903) includes all of the following items for a total of $33.40!

111089 Happy Heart Day stamp set $20.95 - 109052 Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon $ 7.95 - 102757 Medium cellophane bags $ 4.50 - 109056 Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon FREE!

Wednesday's Design by Robbie

Late post today. I was busy getting organized with some of my Christmas presents. So I decided to do a simple card.

Little did I know my plan was not as simple as I thought. I wanted to use the Snowflake punch from Stampin' Up but I wanted the punched pieces to be on the card rather than the punch creating the holes in the paper. I got this ingenious idea to cut a piece of shimmery paper and run it through the xyron machine. This would then create a sticker that I could punch the snowflake out and use the piece of paper as a template. Great idea until I went to punch the snowflake and it would not punch. I ended up using the second piece I ran through the xyron and only punching a few pieces at a time. This worked and I had all the pieces. I then used putty to place the template (which I made from a scrap piece of cardstock since my original idea didn't work) on the card and then proceeded to place all the little pieces of the snowflake in place. It took a while to taking the backing off the pieces but I finally succeeded. Using my tweezers I placed the pieces inside the template. When I finished I went to remove the template thus leaving my pieces in the perfect snowflake pattern. Unfortunately my pieces dis not want to stick to the card but rather stayed inside the template. I then had to use my tweezers to hold each individual piece in place while I carefully lifted the template away. Needless to say a very simple card took a lot longer to create than planned. Some times the best laid plans don't always go as planned!

Here is my finished card. I am sorry the picture is not crisp. I think because I have dial up the quality is not that great. Hope you like it!

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Flaky Friends, Great Impressions B155 Paper: Soft Sky, Shimmery White Ink: Whisper White Craft, Blue Bayou Accessories: Hunter Green and Close to Cocoa markers, Stampin' Up Snowflake punch, small snowflake punch, xyron machine.

Thanks for looking!

Color Challenge Monday

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas. The time passed so quickly.


Today Candice and I were to each do a card. I was to do a purple card. I got some new embossing tinsel I wanted to try and had a picture of this card in my head. It is really sparkly in real life.

On one of the blogs I read (Oodabug Alley) I saw a card she received that was similar to what I had in mind. I inked my stamp with Going Gray ink then used my Versamark over top to create a gray color that I could emboss. I have done this a few times after reading it on a blog and it really works. Next time you want a coordinating color ink to emboss in clear or glittery powder use your ink pad and then ink over top with Versamark and emboss as usual. Keep in mind your Versamark pad will have the ink color on it also so if you are squimish about that you may need to use an old pad or buy one that you use just for this purpose.

It went together very quickly. I'm not sure what Candice was supposed to do or if she will get hers done as I think she out of town. I finished my card and here it is. Hope you like it.

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree Paper: Almost Amethyst cardstock and designer series paper, Shimmery White (got it from Michael's a few years ago) Ink: Going Gray, Versamark, Almost Amethyst Accessories: Rangers Embossing Tinsel - Bridal, ribbon, sponge

Candice and I want to thank each of you for visiting our blog (even if we don't get many comments our number is climbing slowly). We enjoy creating and working together to grow and expand our skills to teach each of you. We hope you have a joyous holiday season and get to spend lots of time with family. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Candice's Emerging Color Card

Here is a little something that I did at one of my past workshops. We are walking out the door in the next 15 min. so I thought I would put this one on the blog, today is my Saturday for the Sketch but time again has gotten away from me. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!!

Another Gift Idea

Candice posted a teacher gift idea earlier. I needed a gift for the ladies in the office that I work with. I decided to do the 2-5-7-10 box and fill it with some hand lotion from Bath & Body Works and some delicious Truffles (the same ones Candice had). The box was really easy to make. I hope they like it.

Thanks for looking!

Wednesday's Design by Robbie

Well it is almost that time of year. I don't know about you but I have been running a lot of little errands lately to pick up one more thing I thought of. While I have a lot of gifts for people I have not wrapped one of them. I guess I will need to turn on the music and get busy.

I was looking through my Papercrafts magazine the other day and saw a cute tag. I thought it would make a cute card. So I sat down at my table and started creating. I think I have spelled one of the reindeer's name wrong but the card is cute anyway.

Stamps: Festive Favorites, Basic Background, acrylic alphabet set Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Brushed Gold Ink: Craft Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Creamy Caramel and Real Red Markers, Real Red Brad, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, red gingham ribbon, Stardust gel pen, linen thread, hole punch.

Thanks for looking!

Teacher Gift

Well if you have not seen them here they are, I picked up these from Michael's for $2 a package (you get 6 of them in a package). I have seen these ornaments on other blogs and I have decided to give them as teacher gifts. I also made a sour cream container and I filled them with these wonderful truffles that I found at BJ's. Hope you enjoy ;-)

Pink and Green Monday

Time is just flying, I hope you guys are all ready for Christmas and you are not like me, waiting to the last minute to get things done. I still have 3 people to buy for, I am going out again tonight when my husband gets home in hopes that I can finish it up...

I have a little story for you that I am going to share. The kids Grandmother sent some packages so I put them under the tree thinking that they would be okay, well Sam quickly found the one with his name on it and he opened it, Sloane thought that she should ask first and I told her that she should wait until Christmas, I was surprised but she said okay and did not put up a fuss. Eric called that evening (he was on travel again) and I told him about the package being opened so he said let Sloane open hers. When I got off the phone I told her to go get her package and bring it upstairs. I told her that daddy said she could open her gift from grandma, at that very moment I explained to them that Santa does not like it when little boys and girls open up packages before Christmas, Sammy quickly got up turned on my closet light and he told his sister to hurry up and come in, he closed the door and they proceeded to rip into the package. Sammy and Sloane come out of the closet with all the trash and the box and quickly put it in the bathroom trash can. This all happened so fast and all I could do was sit there and laugh. I thought to myself man that Sam is sneaky :-)

Candice's Card

Stamps: Pretty Princess Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink and Designer Series Paper Ink: Pixie Pink, Basic Black Accessories: Assorted Color Buttons, Stickles, and Pretty in Pink Ribbon.

Robbie's CardStamps: Everyday Expressions (retired) Paper: Confetti Cream, Certainly Celery Designer Series, Certainly Celery Ink: Handsome Hunter Accessories: gold and star brads (Making Memories), crystal sticker, ribbon (Michael's), dimensionals, sticky tape

Thanks for looking!

Sketch Saturday

Well as usual the holiday is catching up with me. I am posting late today. I knew what I wanted to do but it took longer to do than I thought.

I saw this sketch on a blog by Anna Wight called SweetandSassy.

I wanted to use it with a card I made at my workshop this weekend cased from a card I had seen created by patsmethers on Splitcoaststampers. Here is my card. Let me know what you think.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Lovely as a Tree Paper: Confetti Cream, Handsome Hunter, Certainly Celery Designer Series Ink: Handsome Hunter, Versamark Accessories: Versamark Embossing Pen (to trace around the tree), Enchanted Gold Embossing Powder (Ancient Gold by Ranger), ticket corner punch, ribbon (Michael's - Christmas ribbon on sale now for 50% off)

Thanks for looking!

Thursday's Design by Candice

This card was done at one of my in home workshops in November, originally I only had the diamond dust on some of the branches, one of my girls added the diamonds dust all over the tree and what a difference it made to the look of the card. How pretty with all that sparkle going on. This was quit easy to do but because of the size this was done as a 6x6. Hope you enjoy :-)

Stamps: Doodle This Paper: Wild Wasabi (Textured), Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Confetti, and Wintergreen Designer Series Paper Ink: Wild Wasabi Accessories: Assorted Color Brads, Hodgepodge Hardware, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, and Pop-Up Glue Dots.

Wednesday's Design by Robbie

All day I felt like there was something I needed to do. Just a few minutes ago I realized I hadn't posted my card. I had this all done yesterday and ready to post but just forgot. Sorry!

Have you ever read about something and wanted to try it to see if it worked. Well that is how this card came about. Somewhere on the internet I read that you can make any color ink an embossing ink using Versamark. I wondered if it would really work so I decided to try it on this card.


I have seen some gorgeous cards made with this set that were so sparkly and really created a sense of calm when looking at it. This is really simple and easy. I hope you like my card. Let me know what you think.

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree Paper: Basic Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Poweder, Silver and Pomegranate Organdy Ribbon.

Thanks for looking!

Get It While You Still Can!!!

Here is the list of Retiring Accessories. All products are AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST... in the past, some items have run out VERY quickly... so if you see something on this list that you have to have please submit your orders ASAP to avoid disappointment.

Item # Product Description

109198 Accents & Elements Borders & Blossoms

109199 Accents & Elements Little Reminders 2

109197 Accents & Elements Tagged

100700 Album Leather Post Black 8-1/2x11

105385 Album Linen Post Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11

104520 Album Linen Post Natural 8-1/2x11

104517 Album Linen Post Navy 8-1/2x11

105382 Album Linen Post Real Red 8-1/2x11

105392 Album Linen Ring Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11

104510 Album Linen Ring Natural 8-1/2x11

104513 Album Linen Ring Navy 8-1/2x11

105388 Album Linen Ring Real Red 8-1/2x11

105067 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment I

105068 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment II

108798 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Confetti White

107246 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Kraft

105747 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large

105748 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large Divided

105744 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Small

105749 Boxes Stamp & Supply Jumbo

105734 Boxes Stamp & Supply Large

105746 Boxes Stamp & Supply Medium

105745 Boxes Stamp & Supply Small

101052 Brayer Attachment Foam

107293 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Very Vanilla Medium

109149 Designer Series Paper Brocade Background

109161 Designer Series Paper Cerise

109162 Designer Series Paper Charbon

109155 Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawley

109152 Designer Series Paper Darling Doodles

109150 Designer Series Paper Dashing

108503 Designer Series Paper Petals & Paisleys

109156 Designer Series Paper Linen Prints

109147 Designer Series Paper Notations No. 2

109148 Designer Series Paper Outlaw

109158 Designer Series Paper Uptown

109157 Designer Series Paper Wintergreen

107285 Envelopes Open End Very Vanilla Large

107284 Envelopes Open End Whisper White Large

107296 Envelopes Shimmery White Medium

107287 Envelopes Square Vellum Large

107310 Envelopes Square Very Vanilla Mini

107294 Envelopes Vellum Medium

107290 Envelopes Very Vanilla Large

107291 Envelopes Whisper White Large

101016 Eyelet Tool Kit

105317 Eyelets Bold Brights II

105379 Eyelets Silver

105315 Eyelets Soft Subtles II

107282 Fancy Fibers Bella

107283 Fancy Fibers Elizabeth

103352 Stampin' Glitter Romantic Red

103349 Stampin' Glitter Silver Shine

106650 Greeting Glue

102620 Liquid Glue

103145 Page Protectors Post 8-1/2x11

104523 Page Protectors Ring 8-1/2x11

103598 Paper Vellum 12x12

105543 Pastel Refills Bold Brights

105544 Pastel Refills Earth Elements

105547 Pastel Refills Neutrals

105545 Pastel Refills Rich Regals

105546 Pastel Refills Soft Subtles

105962 Perfect Layers Tool

104184 Post Extenders

106522 Punch Spring Bouquet Flower

109722 Simply Scrappin' Creative License Hostess Level 1

109611 Simply Scrappin' Happy Me Hostess Level 3

109596 Simply Scrappin' Out & About

109626 Simply Scrappin' Primary Colors

109649 Simply Scrappin' Round Up

109635 Simply Scrappin' Secret Garden

109663 Simply Scrappin' Winter Bright

107415 Simply Sent Friendship Shapes

109230 Simply Sent Happy Day

105580 Spectrum Pad Blue Frost

101492 Spectrum Pad Celebration

105579 Spectrum Pad Cotton Candy

101336 Spectrum Pad Pumpkin Patch

100000 Spectrum Pad Un-inked

103953 Stamp-a-ma-jig Imaging Sheets Refill

104432 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Clear Embossing

101460 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Whisper White

102391 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Clear Embossing

103017 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Whisper White

103151 Stampin' Emboss Powder Hologram Highlights

105677 Stampin' Kids Pad Bear Brown

105676 Stampin' Kids Pad Beetle Black

105675 Stampin' Kids Pad Boxcar Blue

105674 Stampin' Kids Pad Gumball Green

105673 Stampin' Kids Pad Poppin' Purple

105672 Stampin' Kids Pad Princess Pink

105671 Stampin' Kids Pad Robin Red

105670 Stampin' Kids Pad Yahoo Yellow

103174 Stampin' Pastel Applicators

100852 Stampin' Pastel Erasers

100081 Stampin' Write Marker Going Gray

100945 StazOn Ink Refill Timber Brown

103088 StazOn Pad Timber Brown

107235 Tag Sheets Bold Brights

107239 Tag Sheets Confetti White & Kraft

107236 Tag Sheets Earth Elements

107240 Tag Sheets Kraft

107237 Tag Sheets Rich Regals

107238 Tag Sheets Soft Subtles

100894 Watercolor Brush Flat

101551 Watercolor Brush Medium

101331 Watercolor Brush Small

105395 Wire Works Metallic

105652 Wrapping Paper Whisper White

Stampin' Around wheels

100360 Acorns

109812 All about Birthdays*

109690 All about Christmas*

109812 All about Gratitude*

109676 Autumn Dots

104070 Bloomin'

107466 Bodacious*

105750 Bouquet*

107481 Butterflies & Blossoms

104065 Fishy

100267 Happy Jacks

107563 Ho Ho Ho

104312 Hot to Dot

104279 Leaf Prints

106062 Leaves Awash*

107479 Rough around the Edges*

101927 Snowman Fun

107465 Speckled*

105521 Spooky Skyline*

108979 Spotted*

107480 True Hearts

105033 Wings & Things

* Jumbo Stampin' Around wheels

Color Challenge Monday

Well here is to another week of color Challenges, Robbie's colors are Sage Shadow and Regal Rose, Candice's are Mellow Moss and Pretty in Pink.

We would love to hear from you guys about what you think of our Blog, we have been up and running since October. If you have any thing that you would like to see more of, or if we should make any changes, please leave a reply to this post to let us know. Have a great week.

Robbie's Card

Stamps: Festive Favorites, Background Basics Paper: Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla Ink: Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, Stazon Timber Brown Accessories: Ticket Corner punch, Small and Large Tag punch, Sage Shadow - Regal Rose - Summer Sun markers, gold organdy ribbon, Glimmer Mist, glitter pen

Candice's Card

Stamps: Time Well Spent Paper: Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, and White Ink: Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, and Regal Rose Accessories: Rhinestone Brad, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile, Glimmer Mist, and Rose Brads from Pink Hodgehog Paper Crafts.

The Last Tin

Well I finally finished the last tin and set of cards. Now I can work on some cards! :)

Stamps: Stem Silhouttes, Garden Silhouttes, Baroque Motifs, French Script, Priceless Paper: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, Brilliant Blue, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky Ink: Craft Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom Accessories: ribbon (Michael's), vellum, square scallop punch, white detailing embossing powder, silver and brilliant blue brads, red sticky tape, corner rounder, Crafter's Tool Kit, dimensionals.

A Little Different Tin

Well I told you I would have a different one for you later. One of my daughter's roommates is a Spiderman fan. Together we came up with this idea. What do you think?

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Brilliant Blue Accessories: ribbon Spiderman stickers (Michael's) dimensionals, large oval punch, crop-a-dile

Another One Finished

Well I have been working all morning and I have the second altered tin and cards finished for my daughter. She is coming home this weekend to pick up some papers she needs so I have to have them finished for her. I am off to work on the last tin. Check back later and check that one out. The last one will be a little different from the others! :)

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, A Little Love (retired), Circle of Friendship, Shoe Saying (Inkadinkado), Shoe (Inkadinkado), P is for Princess (TAC) Paper: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Real Red, Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp (last year's in color), Rose Red Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Barely Banana, Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, Rose Red designer series paper Accessories: various ribbons (Michael's), dimensionals, various brads (Michael's), Scallop punch, various sized circle punches, corner rounder, Whimsy jumbo wheel, pop top from soda can, hole punch, red sticky tape.

Thursday's Design by Candice

This card was so easy to do, the only thing I stamped on this card is the word Joy. I made the ornaments out of the Build a Brads, and used the 1/2" circle punch with the Designer Series Paper from Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit. I have seen some other cards on other blogs using this idea and thought that I would design my own ornament card. I hope you enjoy this simple but cute card.

Wednesday's Design by Robbie

Sorry this post is so late! I have been up to my eyeballs in grading a major project for the class I am teaching. My daughter and I were talking and I showed her the altered tin we were doing for a workshop. She loved the idea with the 3 cards inside. She wanted me to make her 3 sets - 1 for each of her roommates - for Christmas. Needless to say I am behind. I have this one almost finished - it needs one more card. The roommate this one is for loves polka dots hence the polka dot theme. Since I am using a variety of stamps, papers, and inks I will list a general list below the picture.

Stamps: Unfroggretable, Simply Said, Seeds of Kindness Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Brocade Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Green Galore, Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper Ink: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Perfect Plum Accessories: Cuttlebug flower die cut, Certainly Celery and Perfect Plum markers, Small Tag Punch, Word Window Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Google Eyes, Lily Pad Wheel, Crafter's Tool Kit, Certainly Celery and Whisper White brads, Certainly Celery polka dot ribbon (Michael's), Linen Thread, dimensionals, red sticky tape.

Check back on Saturday to see the other 2 completed tins. One will be a Spiderman decorated tin (card will not be Spiderman). Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for looking.

Time to Say Goodby!!!

Well her it is Stampin' Up's! list of Retiring Stamp Sets!

The new Spring-Summer Collection Catalog will be coming out in January and it's time to say goodbye to retiring stamp sets from the current catalog.

If there is a set on this list that you have been thinking about, now is the time to purchase it. As of January 2, 2008, these stamps sets will never be available again!

Click here to view the Retired Stamp Set List

The retired list of wheels and accessories will be available after December 10th.

Color Challenge Monday

I hope everyone had a great weekend, I did a craft fair this weekend, I had clipboards with a matching pen, journals, and coasters, I sold about $70 worth not so bad. I have another one this weekend and the only difference is I am going to do my cards in a jar, and I think the jumbo paper clips, we will see how those do.

So my colors for Monday are Basic Gray and Bravo Burgundy and Robbie used Going Gray and Rose Red. When I sit down to design I always do two cards only because I am having to cut for the one I might as well design another. I could not decide which card to use so I used both this time.

Candice's Cards

Stamps: Petal Prints and So Many Sayings Paper: Basic Gray, Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Vanilla, and Designer Series Paper Ink: Basic Gray and Bravo Burgundy Accessories: Build a Brad, Scallop punch, Circle Punchs, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, and Glitter.

Robbie's Card

Stamps: Perfect Endings (retired), Snow Flurries, Winter Sweet Frost Fairy (Stamps Happen, Inc) Paper: Going Gray, Rose Red, Garden Green, Basic Black, Whisper White, Rose Red Designer Series Paper Ink: Basic Black, Versamark, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa Accessories: Rose Red - Garden Green - Certainly Celery Markers, Slit and Round Tab punches, silver brad, sponges, glitter pen

Sketch Saturday

It is that time of the week again. another sketch for you try. I went searching through the challenges posted on Splitcoaststampers and found this on that I really like. One of the blogs I read had a similar sketch where she used ribbon to connect the 2 diamonds. I really liked the look and wanted to try it. What better time than for this post. It is hard to tell from the picture but I used the glitter pen (I love the look this pen creates) to trace the tree and outline the stars and packages. It is really glittery. I love the look and hope you enjoyed it also. Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:




Stamps: Holiday Tag Team Paper: Confetti Cream, Bravo Burgundy, Red and Green Background paper (paper pack from Michael's last year) Ink: Handsome Hunter - Real Red - Summer Sun markers Accessories: Glitter pen, Gold Cording, dimensionals, square punches