Hip Hip Hooray

The weather here is FINALLY so nice! I haven't been stamping much since I've been outside enjoying it. (And training for my 10K, which is coming up next Saturday! Eep!!) But, I did have this card done and ready to go since yesterday was my BFF Andrea's birthday. We are celebrating today! I think this card is super cute.

Stamp Set: Pun Fun
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Water Color
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Slumber Specialty
Stamp Pads (Classic): Stazon Black, plus Sahara Sand, Ruby Red & Baja Breeze for watercoloring
Accessories/Tools: Riding Hood Red striped ribbon, Blender Pens

I used a watercolor technique I learned at Regionals a few weeks ago. I actually do have the Sahara Sand and Ruby Red markers (I only have a handful of markers...), so rather than just just coloring the image in... I tried what I learned! Color the marker on the plastic stamp box, then draw the juice into your blender pen. Use that to watercolor in your image. I think it turned out really soft and subtle, especially the hippo. It's definitely more "watercolory" (if that's a word) than just coloring it in with the markers!

BLOG update: As of this morning I'm at 2929 hits! I hope I can make it to 3000 by the end of the weekend. :) and I am still thinking of some good stuff for my 5K hits blog candy. :)

Glitter Mania

Can I just say how proud I am for stepping out of my stamping comfort zone and trying new things this week? First I made the cute Mother's Day card below. Then I got out the sticky sheets & glitter I bought long ago and was too scared to use. Thanks to Minneapolis Regionals, I'm totally turned on to glitter! It helps that my first attempt, below, turned out super cute, I think. :)

Stamp Set: None!
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: None!
Stamp Pads (Classic): None!
Accessories/Tools: Sticky Cuts Sweet, Fine Supernova glitter, Bright Delights rubons

I think I'm going to give this card to a friend whose boyfriend just broke up with her. It seems like the perfect sentiment & nice and cheery to help her through it. :)

BLOG NEWS!!! I'm so excited to see I've got over 2,800 hits on my blog! I've already decided that there will be blog candy when I get to 5,000 (hopefully sometime this summer...) BUT first, I want to see a 3,000 on my hit marker. Please pass my blog along to your friends so they may check me out while blurfing!!

Mother's Day

I'm actually ahead of the game!! I have my Mother's Day card already made, and here it is a month early. This is sooo unlike me. I totally inherited the "late" genes of my dad's sisters. BUT, this week's Technique Lovers Challenge (TLC215)on Splitcoaststampers.com was the perfect card to make for my mom this year.

Outside

Inside

Stamp Sets: Best Wishes and More, All Holidays
Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Summer Sun, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive
Stamp Pads (Classic): Summer Sun, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive
Accessories/Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, 5/8" So Saffron ribbon (from SAB), 2-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds, vintage brads

I hope my mom doesn't read my blog and get a sneak peek of this card! (But I hope she DOES read my blog, she's my mother afterall). Anyway, this is such a fun spring card, I may demonstrate it at an upcoming workshop. I have 2 right before Mother's Day, so perfect!

A busy stamping weekend

I had so much fun this weekend! On Saturday I went to the Minneapolis Stampin' Up! Regionals meeting. I took my lone downline, Kris, along. We had a fun time listening to the great ideas, making some awesome stuff, and trying out new techniques. It got me really thinking about fun classes I can do coming up this spring. It also made me crave going to Salt Lake City for the national conference, but I can't go! Wouldn't you know it.... the ONE week I signed up to teach summer school is that week. And I already signed my contract. Drat!

Anyway, on Sunday I met with my St Paul Stampin' Meet Up group. I formed this group on meetup.com to try to meet more crafty people and eventually grow my potential customer base. I set out on our meeting to make thank you cards for the gals who ordered from me during Sale-A-Bration. Yes, as always I'm running late. Here are my five gorgeous creations!

Garden Greetings


Flight of the Butterfly

Cheep Talk

Great Friend

Pocket Silhouettes

Unfortunately, I don't have time right now to include the details! It's Opening Day 2009 and baseball is finally back! I've got to grab me a HoneyWeiss beer, sit on the couch, and watch the Twins. (I try to balance out my girly habits - like stamping - with more masculine ones - like beer and sports!) I will update this post later with the details of stamps, paper, etc. I'll just say for now, many are challenge sketches, including the Cheep Talk card being Weekend Sketch Challenge 75 from Mary Jo Albright's blog.

Happy baseball season!