Honey of a day

Hi!

Today over at the Can You Digi It? blog we are challenging y'all to create a craft project based on the theme Summer Smiles!

OK now I'm not a big fan of bees, or any bugs for that matter, but I love practically everything they make and do.

Like I love honey and flowers which couldn't be made without bees. I also love beehives for their design aspect. It's probably because it reminds me of Utah which is sometimes called the Beehive State you definitely see beehives in design everywhere.

Which also reminds me of family bee-cause some of my SILs have beehives as part of their home decor.

I don't recall if this is the exact style my SIL has but it's definitely similar.

And for some reason bees seem to also remind me of the color yellow. It's probably the only time I'll use the color without much of a fuss.

Also for some reason when I think of bees hexagons come to mind. It's probably because they remind me of honeycombs.

See what I mean

Oh and you can't forget Burt's Bees products. I just love that stuff. I use their lip care products all the time. I'd use more except my Doctor prescribed me to use Clinique for my beauty regimen.

So onto my creation for today. When today's challenge of Summer Smiles came up I just knew I couldn't do any other card but a bee card. I hope y'all like it. And if you have time in the next two weeks to create something based off of the theme Summer Smiles we'd love to have you post it to our challenge.

Stamps: Bee Happy by LilyPink Designs, SU! Just Buzzin' By
Ink: CTMH Chocolate, printer ink, Sharpie, Tombow ABT
Accessories: The Paper Studio EF, Spellbinders Nestabilities Hexagons

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Merci For Always

Hi!

I hope y'all had a great weekend.

Right now I'm somewhere in either New Mexico or Arizona. You see I'm not really the trip planner. Nope, that's my DH's job. And even if my sense of direction weren't terrible. I actually wrote and scheduled this post before my trip.

Did you know that today is the 7th challenge over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge?

If you haven't already you should definitely check out this fun sketch blog.

Today is the day that the sketch is revealed, and Wednesday is the day that the DT's projects are revealed on the blog. That way you have a couple of days to come up with your own inspiration based on the sketch.

I'm sure you're not just here to read about my vacation. So I will share today's card with you.

Stamps: SU! Merci stamp set
Paper: CTMH For Always Paper Packet, The Paper Company Black Cardstock
Ink: CTMH Archival Black
Accessories: Regency Bakers Twine, SU! Modern Label punch, Bird Builder punch, Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles

Don't forget to stop by the Atlantic Hearts blog. We'd love to see what you create.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Happy cloudy day

Hi!

Today is the sixth challenge over at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.

This is a super fun blog with some wonderful sketches. And I'm not just saying that.

You see I love sketch blogs but so many of the ones that I used to visit have stopped blogging.

Which is why I'm so happy that the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge was started.

My card today reflects some of my classic standby loves and some new loves to.

Stamps: CTMH It's Your Day set
Paper: CTMH White Daisy, scraps
Ink: CTMH Cotton Candy
Accessories: SU! Cloudy Day embossing folder, Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch, 3-in-1 butterfly punch

You should definitely stop by and check out this fun sketch and the DT creations.

We'd love to see what you create with this sketch whether it be a card, page layout, or 3D project.

So stop on by and pay us a visit at the Atlantic Hearts blog.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

My Acrylix Stamps

Hi!

I just wanted to share with y'all the latest news I've heard
around the interwebs.

Yup. Stampin' Up! has just come out with photopolymer stamps.

Now they're new so I haven't had a chance to try them out yet.

I have used their clear-mount stamps and have found that they don't really stick very well to acrylic blocks, including their own.

My recommendation for using those would be to definitely not put the enclosed stickers on the back of the stamp. This tip will help them stick better to your acrylic blocks.

If you have the patience I would recommend
getting some cling mounting foam from Stampers Best.
I'd just unmount Stampin' Up's mount and attach one from Stampers Best. Now I'll admit I haven't done that with the clear-mount's
I have from SU!

However, I have taken all the wood mounted stamps I had from SU! and remounted them with the cling mounting foam from Stampers Best. And let me tell you, it works wonderfully.

Now Stampin' Up is going into the world of acrylic stamps or as they're calling them photopolymer stamps.

Close to My Heart has already been creating wonderful stamps
with their My Acrylix line for eight years. This is according to pg. 7 of the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

Let me tell you they're amazing. I've been using CTMH's stamps for the past 7 years and I love them. And althought I'm a Consultant, I only started that in  August 2012. Before that I was with Creative Memories and then The Angel Company. And I've been a Stampin' Up! customer for the past 7 years, too. Plus my MIL owned the LSS in our town for years. So trust me I've been an avid stamping and
scrapbooking customer and fan.

I've tried other acrylic stamps before. I've found that with alot of them I've had to distress them to get them to start working.
Some of them have torn before I even had a chance to distress or stamp with them. Some have discolored before I even got around to using them. It's just not pretty. And distressing them is only for extreme circumstances. I've learned the hard way that you can only distress them so much. If you do go this route it is only necessary for the first stamp session you are trying to use the stamp.

It has been my experience that, this problem has never come up with
the My Acrylix line of stamps from CTMH.

I'm a fan of SU! don't get me wrong.

I even have belonged to a few stamp clubs run by SU! Demos.
And I attend classes taught by SU! Demos.
(Don't even get me started on that discussion.)
I'm not saying don't try the new photopolymer stamps from SU! Hopefully, if you have a SU! Demonstrator that you work with she will have them available to play with.

I'm just saying "Buyer Beware". I just want to provide my objective opinion to this shopping decision.

If you like and your local to the Austin/Cedar Park, TX area
I'll be teaching a class on March 16th.
More information is posted here. In addition to the class, if you attend you are welcome to play with any stamps I have.

And I have all kinds - TAC stamps, acrylic stamps, CTMH stamps, SU! clear mount stamps and ones that have been mounted using Stampers Best cling foam. I have stamps from Stamping Bella, The Greeting Farm, Hero Arts, and other companies as well.

I've done my research and I hope you take my opinion into consideration when thinking about purchasing the new photopolymer stamps from SU!

If you aren't local to me and would like to try out some CTMH stamps just post a comment with your email addy so I can contact you about how to do this. Or feel free to visit my shop.

Happy crafting,
M.E.

Button Card

Hi!

Couldn't help but make this sweet little card for the HYCCT1225B Ta Ta Toe challenge. You see we
were to use this board like in Tic Tac Toe to design our card.

It was a really fun way to do a challenge.

I went with

• Pink
• Buttons
• Patterned Paper

Stamps: Can You Digi It? Button Card, SU! Sew Suite

Paper: My Mind's Eye Kraft fun day Everyday Fun "Good Measure"

Ink: CTMH Chocolate

Accessories: Martha Stewart Pink White Twine

This fun button card is from Can You Digi It? It can be found HERE. My MIL was really nice and cut the doily out for me from her Lifestyle Crafts Silhouette Cameo. I think it's a Dear Lizzy design.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Just buzzing by

Hi!

Just buzzin' along today with a card that was created for HYCCT. I do really enjoy being able to create cards for this great cause. It's the least I can do. And I know it probably means a lot to the recipients. Just this year I was helping care for my mom in her struggle with Cervical Cancer. Taking her to Chemo Therapy and Radiation. Neither of which can be fun. That's why I'm glad I can create something fun for the patients going through this. 

Plus this was a fun challenge. We were to use five words in the sentiment.

I do have to admit that I included a sixth word inside the card. Which is "hi" which is sort of
peeking through the card. But I don't think you can see it because it's cut in black and the hexagon next to it is also cut out of black card stock.

Stamps: SU Just Buzzin' By

Ink: Palette Noir Black, COPIC W2 Warm Grey No.2, Tombow, Bic Mark-it Lemon Bliss

Accessories: Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl, Spellbinders Nestabilitie Hexagons

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

One of a kind

Hi!

Today's card was created for HYCCT. I really love being able to create cards for this great cause.

It was a fun challenge. We were to use the letters to help create our card by using an element for each letter.

These are the ones that I used.
H = Hexagons
Y = You Are One of a Kind (sentiment)
C = Chocolate ink (stamped sentiment in)
C = Chevrons
T = Ticket (die cut) and (bakers) Twine

What do you think of it? What elements would you use for to spell out the letters?

Stamps: SU One of a Kind

Paper: My Mind's Eye Kraft funday Happy Days "Super Star" Paper

Ink: Palette Noir Black, CTMH White Daisy, Chocolate

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilitie Hexagons, Sizzix Framelits Tickets, SU Ticket Corner Small, Martha Stewart Blue White Bakers Twine, Regency Baker's Twine

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Merry Christmas

Hi!

I know it's not even Halloween yet and here I am posting a Christmas card. I promise I'll make some other cards too.

But I just wanted to share this cool card I created for a card swap on SCS. The card swap is all about Santa Claus. I signed up for 2 spots. So there's one more Santa card coming. But I thought this one was super cute and made for a creative card. Also part of the swap is to use use 2 layers and 1 embellishment.

I used this fun red twill ribbon I found in my ribbon stash. I thought it was super cool.

The red I used for Santa and his hat is an awesome color but a pain to use. It's one of the few ColorBox inks that I have and it's SUPER juicy. I mean I've had this for at least 2 years and it's still all juicy and so I have to wait what seems like FOREVER for it to dry before I do anything around it. 

Stamps: SU! Jolly Bingo Bits, TAC Vintage Santa

Paper: Heidi Grace Designs Jolly & Bright, My Mind's Eye On The Bright Side, MME Christmas

Ink: SU! Old Olive, ColorBox Scarlet, CTMH Barn Red

Accessories: CM Circle Shapemaker, Spellbinders Shapeabilties Nested Pennants

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Take Three

Hi!

I created this card for one of the HYCCT challenges. Specifically HYCCT1206: 3 dies/punches and a sentiment.

I had a lot of fun with this challenge for a couple of reasons:

• got to CASE one of my own cards
• was able to use some of my NEW Martha Stewart punches along with two other punches
• and was able to create these for such a wonderful cause

Stamps: SU! Take Three

Ink: Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Martha Stewart Pink White Twine, EK Success Whale of a Punch - Butterfly, CM Meadow Micro Maker, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly, Monarch butterfly

I hope God has been kind to your family and Cancer hasn't touched it. But if it has I hope your family member has been blessed to be in remission. Please show your thankfulness and support by creating some cards for HYCCT.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

The best things

Hi!

I created today's card during VSN on SCS.

I love VSN I wish I'd had a chance to play more. Well maybe I can play more
this month as over on SCS they're doing Hope You Can Cling To.

It's in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And remember ladies
if we don't take care of ourselves no one else will. We've got to protect the tatas.

We don't have a history of Breast Cancer on my side of the family although we do have
a history of Cervical Cancer on my mom's. Plus my dad's side of the family has Brain Cancer and my DH's side has a history of Prostate Cancer. So at least there's a bright side to us not being able to conceive as our child will hopefully come from a better medical family history.

I do hope to be able to share with you some of the cards that I get to create for HYCCT, but until
then this is the final card from VSN on SCS.

I hope you like it.

 

Stamps: SU Life Shared

Paper: Jillibean Soup Coconut Lime Soup Coordinating Paper,Good Day Sunshine by Deena Rutter

Ink: Copics, SU, CTMH Chocolate, Sharpies, Bic Markits

Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Nested Pennants

This weekend I'll be participating in a blog hop for World Card Making Day. So I hope to see
you back here then. Also I will probably post about some blog candy later this week. So stay tuned.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Miss you

Hi!

Yesterday was my nephew David Anthony's 16th Birthday. Although we couldn't be
with him and since my SIL and niece's numbers are blocked by my step-brother, his dad,
I was able to get a hold of him. So we called to wish him a Happy Birthday from my
iPhone.

He's such a good kid. I really miss him A LOT. And I can't believe
he's already 16. Wow time sure does fly.

I remember when he was born. He was early and so he had to go into the NICU. But
boy if you looked at him now you would never think it. He's SOOOOO tall. My step-brother
and his ex-wife my SIL are really tall. And so is his sister my niece.

I'm not that way at all. I'm the one in our family pics with mom and step-dad that doesn't look like she's supposed to be there at all. I'm the palest person in my immediate family. You'd think what is that lady doing in that family's pic. But yep. That's my family.

I'll have to see if I can find a picture with us all together. Which would probably be really old since either I'm almost never there when my family takes a picture together or my step-bro isn't there since he moved to New Mexico. 

At least in DH's family there are enough different people that when we take a BIG family pic we all look like we belong. Plus, it's kind of cool to stand out in DH's family pics as he's the baby of 6 and EVERYONE except for us has kiddos. 

Stamps: SU Pedaling Past, TAC Trendy Greetings

Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle Traveler Little Bicycles

Ink: CTMH Chocolate, CM Pen

Accessories: Colorbox Metal Accents

I created this card during VSN on SCS but I think it really does reflect
my nephew. He loves cars but I think he wouldn't mind a bike either. I know
he loved to ride his bike all over when he lived with his grandparents, my folks. 

 Please let me know what you think.

Also I'm thinking of doing some BLOG CANDY. What do you think?

It's been a while since I've offered any up and I've been organizing my office. I hope to be able to share some pictures with you soon of how it looks. However, I'm waiting on DH to finish with his garage before I can even start on my office. Well, we sort of started we have everything that's going in it already it's just not in there yet. We've got to move some book cases out of my office and into DH's garage, and then build furniture for my office.

I've already had a few people ask if I teach classes. Which I'm dieing to do but since our house isn't that big I'd really like to get my office done first. So I have some room in there and perhaps we can use the kitchen and living room too. If my class gets that big. ;)

Happy Crafting,
M.E. 

More awesome CKC projects

Hi!

Are y'all ready to see some more awesome projects from CKC San Marcos? I sure am!

These are from the Stampin' Up! booth

If you are looking for a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I have a friend DJ who does it. This is a link to her SU Shop.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Happy International Chocolate Day

Hi!

Yeehaw! Today is International Chocolate Day!

I know a day to celebrate chocolate!?! How awesome is that?

I just had to make a little card to help celebrate today.

Stamps: Amuse All I need is love, SU! Out of the box

Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Circle, CM Circle shapemaker, Martha Stewart Blue White Bakers Twine

How are you celebrating? With dark chocolate, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies,
or some other ooey gooey chocolatey goodness.

Don't forget to have a little chocolate today. ;)

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

Summer Bear Hugs

This week my scrapbook group did a Animals/Insects Card Swap. Every month we try to do a card swap with a different theme. Do you have a fun scrapbook group where you are?

Since it's the summer there aren't too many cards to show you:(  But the ones that were
created are awesome.

This is my card. I used the sketch from Anyone for Anya?: Simple Sketch Sunday.

Stamps: TGF

Paper: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses

Ink: Palette Noir Black, Copic E33 Sand, Bic Mark-it Pink Flamingo, Woodsy Brown, Honey Brown

Accessories: Regency Baker's Twine, Stampin' Up punch

I love The Greeting Farm stamps, they are adorable. I wish I could share the name of this stamp set with you. But I can't seem to find it anywhere.

My friends Gia and Lori created the following cards. Aren't they awesome!?!

Gia's card

Lori's card

Can you tell that Lori's favorite color is purple;)

Please post below about any fun scrapbook
groups you belong to and what kind of fun
things y'all do.

Happy Crafting, M.E.

Thinking of You

Hi!

I didn't turn my work in on time I guess. Although, I did send it yesterday
for The Digi Shack.

The reason why it's late is because I've been JOB hunting and trust me after
the meeting we had at my current job yesterday there's even more of a reason
for me to look.

*** WARNING: TMI MOMENT ***
Turns out my new boss is a Child Molester. Yup, he didn't even have a good
reason to defend himself and the owners of the store I work at said they
would not be letting him go, even if the rest of the staff left.

For those of you that know me this isn't exactly a situation I want to be in
given my background. Let's just say I've had a visit from Mother Nature for
25 years and I'm only 33, which means it didn't start naturally it was forced.
** END OF TMI MOMENT YOU MAY NOW RETURN TO REGULAR POST**

So I called back on my last interview to check the status. And I've got
another interview with them this Friday.

I love the new silhouette that TDS came out with. Just wish I could find my
CM CCS blades. Guess, that's why I'm scoping out EBay.

You should definitely check out what the rest of the DT did. I don't know how
long Toni will be keeping me but hey I will take the blame for everything around
me going to pot and creating a chaotic environment which isn't conducive to my
creativity.

And if you are interested in purchasing the stamp I used or any of the stamps
the DT used please visit here.

Happy Crafting,
M.E.

I admit it ...

I'd go bananas without YOU my followers and your loving words of
encouragement.

Don't you love these dancing bananas. They're so silly.

How silly. Well, when I showed this card to my dh it reminded him of
this song.


This digi stamp is of course from The Digi Shack. You can find them and
all the NEW images here.

The great sketch that I used for this comes from the CTMH Originals Card
Confidence Program. CTMH has awesome books for both scrapbook and
card layouts.

Materials Used:

Stamps: TDS Dancing Bananas

Accessories: SU! Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

Ink: Sharpies, Bic Mark-its, Copics

Happy Crafting.
M.E.

Monday Tutorial - Buttony Bow

Hi!

I wanted to share this great tutorial that I found for the Monday Tutorial.

It's how to make a buttony bow on your card.

The sketch I used for this great card comes from Rubber Stamp Chat. It's
the October Sketch Challenge which is sponsored by Bombshell Stamps.

This is the first chance I've had to use my Bombshells.

And now onto my creation:


I slightly adjusted the sketch a bit. Rather than the standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2.
I made a 6x6 card. And made the circle a bit bigger to fit my stamp, which
means it takes up a bit more space then the original sketch.

Let me know what you think.

Materials Used:

Stamps: Bombshell Stamps Pirates Life, Holiday Accessories

Paper: Bazzill Basics Paper Boysenberry Delight, SU! Designer Paper Cast-a-Spell, CM Card stock Purple Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic E00 Skin White, W2 Warm Gray No. 2, Bic Mark-it Stone Grey, Cloud Nine Grey, Margarita Green, Key Lime, Lime Sorbet, Plumtastic Purple, Adobe Orange, Harvest Orange, Spica Silver Accessories: CM Custom Cutting Circle, Walmart Craft Ribbon

Happy crafting.
M.E.

Happy Bee-rthday ...

Susanna!!!

Just in case you didn't know Saturday was Susanna Boyd's Bee-day.

So in honor of that special day I created this lovely card.


And the sentiment that I used


The Supernovas over at PCP are throwing Susanna a fab party, check it out here.

I found the card sketch over at Our Creative Corner, it's SASSC37.

The ribbon technique that I used was found here on ... just a little something, she's also
offering a lovely blog candy for anyone that creates a card using this technique.

Materials Used:

Stamps: SU! Just Buzzin' By

Paper: SU! Juntos Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Memento Tuxedo Black, Sharpie Brown, Copic R00 Pinkish White, Bic Mark-it Oceanview Blue, Moonstone Yellow, Stone Grey, Honey Brown, For-Ever Green, Meadow Green, Forest Green Accessories: Bazzill Basics Ribbon Dashed Black, CM Large Circle Shapemaker

Happy Crafting.
M.E.

Sizzix paper sizes

OK. If you're anything like me you love Sizzix and SU!

I know I'm a TAC but still I do buy SU! designer paper and punches. They're beautiful.

Plus, my SU! demo doesn't care. As long as I don't share my TAC with our group. Which I'm trying to do without posting it on meetup.com

So I found this size list and just had to share it with you.

With this list, you can easily determine what size paper you need to perfectly fit under your die for cutting.

Besides if you are anything like me you know you have a pile of scraps. Now you can easily cut them to one of the sizes below for easy use in your Sizzix. Consider using an accordion filing system to store your pre-cut scraps by size and or color. Now you are ready to grab the perfect size paper in any color to create with your Sizzix....

Top Note - 4-1/4" x 5-1/4"
Petal Card - 4-3/4" square
Scallop #2 - 5" x 5"
Oval Scallop - 5" x 5-1/2"
Scallop - 5" x 5"
Envelope - 4-1/2" x 5-1/4" (see THIS POST for how to make the envelope larger)
Lattice - 3-1/2" square
Scallop Square - 5" x 9" for folded card, 5"x5" for square
Rollodex - 3" x 4-1/4"
Clear Flower - 4-3/4" square
Clear Circle - 4-1/2" square
Two Tags - 5-1/4" x 5"
Butterfly - cut at 10"x 5-1/4" and FOLDED in 1/2
Daisies #2 - 5" x 5-1/4"
Snowflake - 4-1/4" x 4-1/2"
Ovals - 4-1/4" x 5-1/4"
Tags - 5" x 4-1/4"
Circles - 4-1/4" x 5"
Leaves #2 - 4-1/2" x 5-1/4"
Decorative Accent - 5-1/4" x 5"
Tulipe - 4-3/4" x 5"

Bigz XL dies - I usually cut them all at 6"x12", except the Flower Folds (needs more than one piece)

FYI: I found this tip on Scrappin' Out Loud.

Happy Crafting.
M.E.

Introducing ...

2 new digis from Modern Sugar Blvd.



and


You can find these new digis on the MSB site.

One of a Kind:

Materials Used:

Stamps: MSB I love to charm, SU! One of a Kind

Paper: CM Cardstock Pink Lemonade, White

Ink: Copics R35 Coral, YG11 Mignonette, E00 Skin White, W2 Warm Gray No.2, Spica 12 Silver, Marvy Brush Marker No.9 Pink, No.78 Orchid, Bic Mark-it Pink Flamingo, Woodsy Brown, Honey Brown, Tiki Hut Tan, Desert Rose, Prairie Berry, SU! Pixie Pink

Accessories: Prima Iced Got Flowers? - Tiffany Teal, Micheal's $1 punch

For you: Materials Used:

Stamps: MSB I love my PDA, SU! One of a Kind

Paper: CM Cardstock Raspberry, White, CTMH, SU!

Ink: Copics YG11 Mignonette, E00 Skin White, W2 Warm Gray No.2, V06 Lavender, BV04 Blue Berry, Bic Mark-it Fandango Pink, Woodsy Brown, Honey Brown, Harvest Orange, Summer Melon, Plumtastic Purple, Midnight Navy, Rambunctious Red, Sakura Glaze Silver Pen, Prismacolor Dark Umber

Accessories: Prima Iced Got Flowers? - Tiffany Teal

Happy Crafting.
M.E.