I can't believe I won a Challenge!!!

My cross dressing Cowboy Ian won me two new stamp sets!! I am sooo excited!! I have never won any card making or scrapbooking challenge. Ever!

A big HUGE thanks to Marie at The Greeting Farm for holding this challenge. And to Lisa for choosing my card!! And to Ray for that funny comment. Made me lol.

I am currently working on a CowBOY Ian card. I'm fighting a terrible cold right now but as soon as I can get into my craft rooom I will be finishing it off and posting it.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Tuesday!

First Card for Sale

 
 
 
 

I decided that I need to start trying to sell my cards to support my stamping habit. I am so nervous to put this card out there. What if the person who buys it doesn't like it once they hold it? What if it falls apart because I didn't burnish the glue well enough? It took me a couple days to finish it. Not just because i was interrupted every two minutes by one of the girls, but also because I was second guessing myself. Are the colors and layout okay? Too many flowers? Sentiment or no? Should I 3D the image or is that too much?

Usually I get very attached to my cards and don't want to let them go. But this one I made with the intention of selling it so I'm okay with it leaving. I just hope that the person who gets it isn't disappointed with it. Wish me luck!

Rhinestone Cow Girl

I just discovered this cute little stamp company a few weeks ago. {http://thegreetingfarm.com/} As soon as I saw the images I had to place an order. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, most of the ones that I wanted were sold out. So I ordered just a couple to hold me over. I ordered Chef Ian because I have been searching for a cute chef for ages!! And he fit the bill perfectly. And I ordered Cowboy Ian because I need some more stamps that are more oriented towards boys and because we live in Texas. So that was perfect!!

A couple days later the owner of the stamp company announced on her blog that she was holding a challenge to win two new unreleased stamp sets. It's called the Anya Fashion Show and you have to use Anya stamps and dress her up. Ack!!! There is no way I can enter with my Ian stamps. So I thought and thought and thought about it. I decided to play around and see if I could dress up Ian to become a girl. I wasn't sure how it would work out and if it would be offensive to anyone. Most especially Marie, the owner. But I did it and had TONS of FUN doing it. I decided how to dress him up as I went along. I used my Copic markers to color her in. I think I own 15 now, so not much to choose from. Luckily I had some embroidery thread left over from my cross stitching days and I made a couple of braids. I stamped the cowboy hat on some pink glitter paper, added a prima flower and pop dotted it up on her. The star brad holds her scarf. And every Cowgirl needs a Rhinestone buckle!

This is only the second challenge I have ever entered. I almost didn't enter but I am so glad I did. I had so much fun! Me and my 6 yr old were giggling every step of the way.

Sugar Nellies

 

I absolutely LOVE these images by Elisabeth Bell! This is my first attempt at using my Copic Markers with the Sugar Nellies. It was going fine until my E33 marker started drying up in the middle of my coloring in the hat!! I have since redone it but I'm too lazy to take the picture and upload it. ;)

I used a Sketch Challenge on SplitcoastStampers for the layout. And my brand new SU Top Note Die that I just love! That sucker is going to be getting a lot of use by me.

Stair Step Card

 

I made this using PTI's Made of Snow and Boards and Beams stamp sets. I used a lot of glitter, white craft ink and liquid applique. These are my favorite type of cards to make. I just love the 3D look.

 

Here is a close up of the snow on the window ledges. The picture is a little blurry because I have been having issues with my camera. Guess I should read the manual! I wanted to put ribbon on either side to hold it closed so I can mail it. But I just can't part with it. Yet. :D

Papertrey Ink Swap #9

I think the only reason I was able to finish this swap without the usual stress was because I was able to work on it a little bit at a time. Now that my 3 yr old is in preschool I am able get a few hours to myself. Boy do I cherish that time!!!



This first picture is of the recipe card that I made for the swap. The swap called for a "Family Favorite" and this one is a favorite for sure. It's also my "go to" dish whenever I make a dinner for a friend in need. It's easy to freeze and re-heat. And the left overs are always yummy.

Stamp Sets: PTI Holiday Treats, Simple Little Things
Inks: SU Ruby Red Ink, SU Rose Red Craft Ink, Palette Dark Chocolate
Paper: SU Ruby Red, PTI Vintage Cream and Dark Chocolate
Misc: Antique white ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, SU Scallop circle punch, dimensionals



I wanted this card to be simple, but with bold colors. I hope I achieved it. I am still a relatively new card maker so all this design stuff is new to me. I do a lot of stalking on various blogs and hope it sinks into my little brain so that I can come up with my own style.



Stamp Sets: PTI Little Lady, Simple Little Things
Inks: Palette Dark Chocolate, SU Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun
Paper: PTI Chocolate Remix, Summer Sunrise, Stampers Select White
Misc: PTI Summer Sunrise Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon, CB Swiss Dots Folder, dimensionals




Now this card, I had to play around with it a lot. I had a vision in my mind for the color palette, but once I played with it, it seemed too washed out. So I added some chocolate to it. Chocolate makes everything right. Right? I was trying to go for two effects with this card. One was that the snow people were in a Christmas Ornament. And the other is that it is snowing on them. Not sure if it makes everything too busy. But it's a fun card anyway. My 6 yr old daughter preferred it without the snowy vellum on top. But I thought it looked too plain. Probably because of that darn "vision". LOL! I didn't adhere the vellum on the bottom because I wanted the recipients to be able to pull it up and see how I colored the snow people and did some paper piecing with the Patterned paper. For me, one of the cool things about a swap is to see how others make their cards, so that's my reasoning behind that. :) The sentiment reads: Snowy Days, frosty nights and warm hearts. So I tried to intertwine their arms like they are a couple. I had a lot of fun paper piecing the hat, mittens and scarf. This is one fun set that I know I won't grow tired of very soon.

Stamp Sets: PTI Made of Snow, some misc snowflake set that found it's way into my stash
Ink: SU White Craft Ink, Pretty in Pink Marker, Pumpkin Pie Marker
Paper: PTI Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, SU Close to Cocoa, Martha Stewart DSP, misc Vellum
Misc: PTI Sweet Blush Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon, Nesties, CB Heart Die, Corner Rounder, Making Memories Snowflake brad, SU Round Tab Punch, CB Swiss Dot Folder, SU White Embossing powder, Copics, dimensionals

I hope you enjoyed viewing my newest creations. 'Cause who knows when I'll be blogging again! ;)

Time flies when you are overwhelmed!

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. I've made a few cards since then, but I've been either too busy or tired to post them here. Alright and probably too lazy.

We just moved into our new house at the end of June. I still have tons of boxes to unpack, mostly just that junk that keeps following me around. Things I can't seem to get rid of for one sentimental reason or another. Well, my neighborhood is having a huge garage sale and I am going to get rid of ALOT of stuff. I just cannot concentrate in a cluttered home. Of course that also goes for my craft room, but once I get cutting and stamping, things are flying all over the place and I can't stop just to clean up and organize. My craft room is still a work in progress. I'm not sure where I want things to go or how I want it to be set up. It's definitely functional right now. Just not perfect.

So this morning I had a ton of housework that needed to get done. But I had a rough night last night with my 3 yr old waking me up every hour. So I decided that I was going to stamp instead. I made this card to send to my folks who sent us a wonderful housewarming gift. I love the Boards and Beams set by Papertrey. I wish I had more time to play with this set!























Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink Boards & Beams
Inks: Brilliance, Versafine Sepia
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, PTI Vintage Cream, Basic Grey Sultry Patterned Paper
Misc: SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Copics, Stickles


I plan on posting many more cards and projects on my blog in the coming weeks. I have a Silent Auction Gift Set that I am going to be making for our school. I also have tons of cards and alterable items that I will be making to be put in my new Etsy store. I'll post more about that when I get a chance.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend!

I am so WEAK

Well, I fell off the wagon. I bought something. I was lurking in BST forum like a crack ho looking for a fix. When suddenly I saw a great deal on a PTI set. I had to jump on it. I just couldn't contain myself.

And what a disappointment because today is day 20. Only had 10 days left. And it would have been so easy because we will be going on vacation in a few days.

I did refrain from buying ALOT of other times. There was PaperTrey Ink's July Release. And then SU! had stuff that I could have pre-ordered since I'm a demo. Ucut@Home and 7kidscollegefund kept emailing me with their sales flyers. Several times I fought the desire to go into my LSS, which is right next door to the Post Office. So all in all I think I did okay.

This challenge has taught me quite a few things. Well, besides that I am a loser and a failure and weak. LOL! Just joking. It taught me that yes, I can live with just the stamp sets and tools and embellishments and paper that I have already. And that just because there is a new Release I don't HAVE to jump right on it. I found other ways to deal with my stress and occasional depression. It also made me get up off my butt and do some cleaning of the craft room. I sold a few things on ebay and that money is going towards paying off my credit card.

So all in all, it was a very good challenge. And I am so glad that I tried it. I am going to try it again soon. But in the meantime, I think this has helped curb my spending habits. And for that I am very grateful.

I leave you with a card that my almost 6 yr old made for her cousin's Birthday. She was so proud of it. She did everything herself. And since we just moved and I am still SO unorganized I couldn't find her markers so I taught her the Blender pen dipped in the ink pad top technique. She caught on like a pro. I even let her use my Copics. *gasp*





I won't be back until after vacation. Have a great week everyone!!!

2 Cards today-a shock!

Right before I started the 30 day no spend challenge, I visited my beloved scrapbook store. I picked up some really cute patterned paper with the idea of using it on a scrapbook page. But I decided to use just a bit on a couple of cards. I took this layout from Emily Giovanni from her post here: http://emilygiovanni.com/?p=2170 (Sorry I don't know how to do the fancy linking on blogger yet!)



Stamp Sets: SU! Garden Silhouettes, SU! Best Blossom
Ink: SU! Purely Pomegranate, Pixie Pink, Green Galore
Paper: SU! Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate
Misc: PTI Blush Ribbon, Nestabilities, Liquid Pearls

This next card I struggled with for a bit. I tried using the bashful blue craft ink to emboss the sentiment, but it just didn't show up too well on the pink. I like the certainly celery but now looking at it, it doesn't tie in too well. I might add anther ribbon in green. But really, I am just glad that I actually completed a card!



Stamp Sets: SU! Priceless, PTI Anniversary Set (sentiment)
Ink: SU! Certainly Celery Craft
Paper: SU! Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue
Misc: PTI Blush Satin Ribbon, Hobby Lobby blue polka dot ribbon, SU! Irridescent Ice

I know I said I was going to get away from my "go to" color of Pink but it's soooo hard!!! I'm going to look on SCS for some Color Challenges and my next cards will incorporate those. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Day 15-Half way there!!!

So the biggest challenge of this 30 day no spend challenge is to find the actual time to make something! My kids are getting so stir crazy. I barely have a moment to even post this today.

I had another friendly neighbor stop by with a welcome gift the other day. So I quickly whipped up another mailbox and stuffed it full of chocolates. I even used my Chatterbox paper that I have been hoarding forever. I know it's simple and boring, but I'm just glad that I was able to get something done and show my thanks to my new neighbor.



I have a bunch of cards that I am simultaneously working on right now. My desk is a mess! Unfortunately the girls have been super high maintence lately so by the time they are in bed, I am ready myself. It's so depressing to see all of my stuff sitting there for days without me being able to really get some time to play. I see blogs where people make at least one thing a day. And they have kids! How on earth do they do it? Anyone have any tips??