The Secret Of Life....

Hello Stamping Friends,

I made this stamped background earlier this week, but couldn't decide how to use it until....I found this challenge at unscripted sketches.  I knew immediately that this background would work.  I actually saw a card made with some designer paper with clocks on it and loved it, but instead of buying more paper, I decided to use my SU stamps and make my own background design. 

I also love this sentiment.  I believe that every moment we have on this earth is a gift, and enjoying those moments is so important.  Time passes either way and we have a choice as to how we experience it.  Be blessed,

barb

List of supplies forthcoming...   

Here is my inspiration from Tarabeeink

Here is the sketch challenge:

Christmas In May? Why Yes, Please

Hello Everyone,

Just a disclaimer before posting my card:  The designer series paper that I used and stamp set are both retired.  The gumball green card stock is current as are the gumball green ink, cherry cobbler ink, and large rhinestones.  (I colored them using a red Sharpie marker) 

So, I found a cool sketch challenge here:  Always Playing With Paper and it was a Christmas challenge as well.  It cheered me up just thinking of Christmas, so I played. 

It was relatively quick and easy because it uses so much dsp.  I colored the owl stamp with markers which is fast and punching images is always quick.  Hope you enjoy!

barb

sketch

Happy Birthday, Man!

Hello Stamping Friends,

     Well, my last stamp camp is now in the books and its time to get back to stamping again for my blog.  :)  I checked out all of my challenge blogs this week and found three to combine for this new card.  

 I followed the

CAS (Clean and Simple) birthday challenge, Create With Connie and Mary sketch challenge, and 

Paper Players masculine challenge. 

Stamping Supplies:

Stamps: Blue Ribbon

Ink:  Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit

Paper:  Early Esspresso, Sarhara Sand, Island Indigo, 

*SoHo Subway 

Pretties:  Linen Thread

Accessories:  Woodgrain embossing folder, sponges, 2 3/8 scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, stampin' dimensionals

*new product

On a personal note:  It's been a very emotional and challenging week here in Oklahoma City and the metro area.  Tornadoes ripping through our state on Sunday and Monday changed many lives and left in it's wake, piles of debris and much sadness.....BUT, Oklahomans are a very unique group of people; resilient and hopeful.  If you think of those who have been affected by these tornadoes, please pray for them and for all of us as we serve and give in anyway we can to bring about healing and rebuilding.

God Bless,

barb

New "In-Colors" Are Simply Delicious

Hello Stampers!

Today I began my prep for my upcoming stamp camp and my inspiration was this card by the talented Mary Fish.  I really liked her sketch, but wanted to use the new Stampin' Up! stamp set, Mosaic Madness and the coordinating products:  Mosaic punch, Modern Mosaic embossing folder, and the new In-Color inks.  I must confess that this set of In-Colors are my favorite group so far.  A dreamy combination, in my opinion.  Hope you like these two takes on Mary's sketch.  If you have a chance, hide out in your stamping space this week and just   c  r  e  a  t  e.  And,   e  n  j  o  y.

blessings,

barb

New In-Colors Are:

Baked Brown Sugar

Coastal Cabana

Strawberry Slush

Pistachio Pudding

Crisp Cantaloupe

Guest Stamper: My Friend, Rena

Hello Stampers,

    Today's post has been brought to you by my talented stamping friend (and now my son's mother-in-law!) Rena.  Rena has been a long time scrapbooker, but after we met, she soon added card making to her list of paper crafting hobbies.  She shared one of her latest creations with me last week and I quickly asked her if I could share it with you all here on the blog.  I really liked her quick and easy card for several reasons.  

1. Everyone can use more masculine cards.  Even these brads are perfectly masculine.

2. The sketch of Rena's card is simple and so usable for any event.  

3. You can use up lots of pieces of leftover card stock and dsp for this sketch and mix and match layers, if you like.  

4. She used her Big Shot! I love this choice of die cut as her focal point.

So, a loud "Thank You" to Rena for sharing her talents with us today.

Hope you get some time in your stamping place this weekend!

blessings,

barb

A Box Can Change Your Crafting Life!

Hello Friends!

     I must say, it seems like I've been missing in action....life.  

Need I say more?  

Well, guess what?  Stampin' Up! has done it again with the re-design of the storage boxes for their wood stamps. Thus, my title for today's post.  ;)  This video says.  it.  all.  There are a million ways to use this new storage box, so I hope you take a peek and plan your own uses.  
Coming May 31, 2013

     Now, onto today's card inspiration.  As you know from earlier this month, I have been participating in National Letter Writing Month with about 100 ladies across the globe.  I must say, it's been so much fun.  I wanted to create some cool postcards to send out, and I showed you one a couple of weeks ago using the Swallowtail background stamp.  I created a totally different looking postcard with that stamp again today.  I guess it's just my "go-to" stamp right now.  It was really simple.  I brayered River Rock ink on textured vanilla cardstock and then used sponge daubers to make the polka dots in Island Indigo, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and More Mustard.  I love the results and hope you enjoy it too. 

Blessings and Happy Stamping!

barb

"Color Me Refreshed!"

Hello Stamping Friends,

     Well, the title says it all!  Stampin Up has done a color "refresh" on their color families and it is proving to be a stunning choice.   The you tube video I've posted is a perfect visual explanation of how the colors have been brought back from previous "in-color" groups and introduced into SU's current color families.  I promise...you are going to LOVE what you see!

Stampin' Up! Color Refresh

 You may want to check which colors are retiring and 

stock up while supplies last.**

Also, another great little thing to look forward to is 

"FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING" for 3 days! (THAT'S THIS WEEKEND) Here are the details from Stampin' Up!:

"We're excited to let you know that we are offering FREE shipping on EVERYTHING April 6-8 (excluding expedited orders)! That's right. There are no minimums or limits and all order types qualify (customer, demonstrator, workshop, online). Did we mention that the free shipping is on everything?"

If you want or need anything, you can shop HERE or contact me.  

I hope you get some quality stamping time this weekend.  

Blessings,

barb

This and That & April is NLWM!

Hello Friends,

Wow, was your week as busy as mine?  It's been just a tad bit crazy around here, but I wanted to get back with you as I promised to show you a little of my "playing" with the "This and That" product line this evening.  Also, You might have asked yourself what in the world NLWM stands for.   It stands for National Letter Writing Month and I am participating with 100 other ladies from around the world during the month of April to encourage sending hand written notes once again.  :)   I was so excited to open my mailbox today and find 4 letters.....it's a joy.  Now, onto what I created tonight.  

These are postcards stamped with the Swallowtail background stamp in Versamark and heat embossed with Iridescent Ice and Melon Mambo or Pool Party mix.   Then I chose a color and brayered over the top of the stamped image.  

 

Then for the back of the postcards, I used the products from the "This and That"

product line.   Washi tape to separate the sides and stickers to decorate a little.  Then I just jotted a little note to each lady.  It was simple and fun! 

 enjoy, and maybe find a few minutes to write a handwritten note too.  <3

barb

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Swallowtail, Friendly Phrases (not shown)

Ink:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Versamark

"This and That" Bundle:  133350

Acessories:  Brayer, Clear Blocks, Iredescent Ice Embossing Powder, Pool Party EP,

Melon Mambo EP

 

A Little of This...And a Little of That

Hello Stamping Friends! 

I am so excited to get all of my products tomorrow that come with 

"This and That" product suite.  I will report back with a project I can share with you.  ;)
Save 15% when you order March 23-April 30
(All items will be in the SU 2013-14 catalog, 
but discount is only good through April 30)

 Happy stamping and have a happy Easter!

Lace and Pearls

Happy Monday, Stamping Friends!

Today's post brings with it a gorgeous color and sketch challenge in one.  I stumbled upon this blog from down under called still addinktive and I wanted to play along.  Well, I stared at this sketch and color palette for a really long time  and I realized that I either needed to just start playing with colors and shapes or just move on to something different.  Therein lies the lesson I learned...just start.  It doesn't have to be perfect to be pleasing and shared.  Just remember, if you never start, you can never share.

happy starting!

barb

Here is my card:

Here is the challenge:

Stamping Supplies:

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Cardstock:  Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty In Pink

Accessories:  Big Shot, Circle Scallop Die (used for card base), Beautiful Wings Embosslit,

Large Paper Doily Sizzlit

Pretties:  Artisan Embellishments Kit*, Flower Trim*, Basic Pearls, Taffeta Ribbon

*Spring Mini Catalog