Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A new card

I got up very early (not because I wanted to but because I just woke up!) so I created a card using the colors on the SCS color challenge: real red, basic black and old olive. I need some notecards, so I created this one. I am trying to make cards with less bulk so they can easily be mailed. Here is what I came up with.



I love the fact that the JustRite stampers and the nestabilities are the perfect sizes to go together! It makes life so easy. And don't you just love that bottom border? So easy to do with the Spellbinders daisy border. Just cut and emboss and it looks maaaaahhhhhvelous!

Now I need to check my coupons, make a list, and go do a little shopping! Oh joy!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Creating!

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I've been so engrossed in creating my projects for Spellbinders and learning some new technology to size them, stitch together scans and lots of new things that I haven't had much time to create projects to share on my blog. I did take a few minutes this morning to do the SCS technique challenge. Take a look at the card I created and see if you can tell what the technique is.



The technique is using marbles and reinkers to create your own background paper. On my card it is the layer behind the oval. I used Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery and So Saffron reinkers. I opened an empty plastic clamshell case (My SU! stamps come in them) and added a few drops of each of the colors. I did each one separately so the colors wouldn't muddy up. After each color, I wiped out the previous color from the inside of the case and the marbles, then added the next color. The card stock you wish to create is taped to the inside lid of the box. Tilt and shake the box to get the ink onto the marbles and the marbles to roll all over your card stock. When you are happy with the results, remove your card stock and create something. It really is a fun technique. For my card, I glued that piece onto the certainly celery base card. Using Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Oval, I cut and embossed the oval. I then stamped the sentiment and the little flowers onto the oval, drawing doodles to connect them with a marker. I added some stickles to the centers of the flowers for a little bling. It was a little too flat for my liking, so I cut/emboss/stenciled a little purple flower to add to the oval. I popped that up with a dimensional and added a yellow circle of card stock and more stickles. Oh yeah, that's much better.

I hope you like my card. Check back soon! I'm happy to have you visit!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Wonky site????

I am sorry I can't post much of anything right now, but this Blogger site is wonky to say the least. I've spent way too much time fighting with it and now will just leave and wait until they get it taken care of.

In the mean time I am working on my Spellbinders assignments. I actually finished one today that I am pretty happy with, but I can't show you until . . . who knows when. Maybe I'll get some time to just play a bit later. Then I can show you some of the coolio new things I received! You will want to see. I got some awesome goodies!

Hugs for now,
Karen

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Vintage in black and white


I love this stamp set by Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps called Glamour Girls. I used that as my inspiration on this card, matting it with Spellbinders Labels One and Scalloped Rectangle made into a square. The patterned paper is by Me and My Big Ideas.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to sign up to follow my blog. Scroll down to see why!

Have a great Wednesday!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Follow my blog!

Since I have finally begun my reign on the Spellbinders Design Team, I will be stamping a lot and using tons of new and wonderful products on my projects. Things are going to be hopping here, so you might want to sign up to follow my blog because you just never know when I am going to do a drawing from my followers and gift them with a little blog candy. I may announce it, I may not. That should keep you on your toes. SIGN UP, SIGN UP, SIGN UP!!!!! You won't want to miss it!

Using new products


I got a lot of my new goodies organized and wanted to play with a few of them on today's card. What fun! Here are the new things I used on this card:

Spellbinders Impressabilities (these are sooooo cool!)
Hero Arts Thoughtful Stamps (the sentiment)
Smooch (used on the butterfly for the dots)

The card base is rose red cs. I cut and embossed the pink pirouette panel using the new impressabilities and then used a sponge to highlight the high areas with rose red ink. Gosh those Impressabilities are impressive! lol I also sponged the edges before mounting onto the basic gray cs. The flowers are cut and embossed with dies from Spellbinders Flower Creations which I shaped a bit with the handle of a paint brush and colored with markers, then added stickles. It caused the ink to run a bit and I really like that look. It just softens the edges a bit. I added ribbon and a bow. The sentiment is stamped, cut and embossed with Spellbinders Nestabilities and mounted onto the rose red scalloped oval nestie and popped up with dimensionals. I added a Spellbinders butterfly from the Flying Beauties set which was dotted and the body outlined with my new Smooch made by Clearsnap. I think you will love Smooch. You might even smooch it! hee hee hee

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Gardening


I just went to a fantastic gardening seminar and learned so much! You should check out this information. You can get 10X the yield from your garden, be it veggies, flowers or whatever. lol You know the seminar was fantastic because I sat in the 94 degree heat four hours listening to the guy.

What is the Mittleider Method?
The Mittleider Method combines the best features of soil-based gardening and hydroponic gardening, but without hydroponic expense! It's a complete, easy-to-follow plan that eliminates guesswork and ensures success anywhere: an apartment patio, a city yard, a country lot, or a farm.

The method is based on maximum utilization of space, time, and resources. Crops are large because plants are close together, nourished by supplemental feedings of natural mineral nutrients (as in hydroponics), but with no special equipment.

Also, unlike hydroponics, the Mittleider Method gives plants access to the natural soil for nutrients as yet unknown or that, while not essential to plant growth, are useful in human nutrition. You can use the Mittleider Method by raising crops in either soil-beds or grow-boxes.

Here is a link to the information. I believe it will even give you a bit of a discount on the products if you click this link.

http://plantingk.mittleider.hop.clickbank.net/

This is a link to a blog created with wonderful recipes using the bounty of your garden.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

I am now


a Copic Certified Designer! Check this out! Marianne was a great instructor! I'm ready, willing and able to share what I learned. One thing though, I need lots and lots more practice. Copic markers are awesome tools!

Wow, Wow and WOW!!!!



So here is a picture of the bounty I received at the Spellbinders Design Team Retreat!!!!! I hope I got it all because everytime I look at what I brought home I find something else to add to the photo!!!!! We were spoiled big time (Thank you Stacey!)!!! Yes, I know I keep using exclamation marks, but honestly, there aren't even words to describe it! Anyway, take a look and I'll be back a little later to add more information about all the wonderful companies that so generously gave us product! It's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm home!!!!

I am home. It is 12:48 AM and I am TIRED! I am also overwhelmed, awed, amazed, and have a bunch of new friends. I feel totally and completely spoiled and happy as can be. OOooooooooo eeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Wait until you see all the goodies I got at the retreat. I'm too tired to post it all right now, but I will oh so soon. Check back!

Hugs,
Karen

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

I'm off to see the WIZARD!

Hee hee, and that title really fits. I'm off to the retreat for the new Spellbinder's Design Team! You know, their "machine" is called the Wizard. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I get to meet all the other gals that are on the team and find out even more about Spellbinders and their fantastic products and how to use them and . . . I don't even know what all! It's going to be great! So be sure to come back next week! I should have all kinds of wonderfulness to share with you! I'll be singing that tune for the next several days! Come on, sing it with me! I'm off to see the wizard . . .

Monday, April 13, 2009

Can you believe this is a soda can?


Today's technique challenge was to use a soda can in the creation. Oh fun! Here is the card I made. I embossed the main panel and the sentiment with the cuttlebug textile texture folder and then used punches on them. The sentiment was flattened out after embossing, but it still leaves some texture. It looks really cool in person! I hope you like this fun card. Let me know what you think.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Oh my goodness - It's been a long time

since I updated this blog! How did that happen? I guess time flies and . . . it's forever since you updated.

I've been busy with this and that and one thing and another. Yep! It's true. Today is Easter Eve and I'm having my two local kids and their families over for Easter Festivities. We were planning to go to a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt and party, but it is cold and rainy today! What? It hasn't rained in forever and today - RAIN! Oh well, we can have indoor activities and be just fine.

So, I got up this morning, ready to get things done ahead of time. It should have been easy peasy, all I had to do is prepare two easy dishes ahead of time - but NO!Unfortunately, I had troubles with both.

#1 In making the eclair cake, I just could not get the ingredients to blend for the creamy filling. FRUSTRATION!!!! I threw it down the drain and sent Allen to the store to quickly get a couple of ingredients so I could start over. Okay, all is well. But not so fast –

#2 Making potato salad - just ready to add the mayo and sniff, sniff, that does not smell quite right. I take a little taste - ACCCKKKKK - rancid mayo!!!!!! Good thing the kitchen sink can take all the misses! Throw that down the drain quickly! Luckily I hadn't mixed it into the other ingredients, so I just had to open the new jar of mayo and all is well. I hope the ham doesn't have any problems! I mean seriously, who can mess up a ham? Well today, it might just be me!

I am so thankful to know that Jesus Christ came to the earth to show us the way to live, and that He died and was resurrected so that I can repent of my sins and can again live with Him, my Heavenly Father and all those I love!

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Have a wonderful Easter!