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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Adventures in Strength
I began this post with the intention of writing about how tough week 5 has been post rotator cuff/SAD surgery. how it has challenged me to be strong and push forward despite an increase in pain as we progress to assisted passive range of motion. That WAS my intent. Then my son brought yesterday's mail in. In it a hand stamped letter from Ethiopia with a childish scrawl under the return address. My husband laughed and said he couldn't wait to open that and see what scam laid inside. I asked who it was from, he said on the back it mentioned Operation Smile. Hearing that I asked for the letter. Operation Smile is an organization the Close To My Heart supports. They are a foundation that sends medical teams to third world countries to repair cleft palates on children, restoring their smiles and changing their lives in the process.
This particular letter contained a handwritten thank you note and it's English translation, from Solomon, an 11 yr old Ethiopian boy. He endured years of teasing by other children but his family could not afford such an operation. When his father heard that OS was coming to Ethiopia, he brought him to that city to get his lips fixed. After his surgery, Solomon felt like a better person and started his new life, not having anything to be ashamed of anymore. He dreams of becoming a doctor someday so he can help others the way he was helped. A before photo showed him and his expression looked so sad but his after photo showed a beautiful beaming smile and sparkle in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes.
You see when you purchase Close To My Heart products through my website, you are asked if you wanted to round up for Operation Smile. How many times are we asked to do this? It may be just small change to round up. Does it make a difference? Well here is proof that it does.
I was so excited when the senior executive team of CTMH visited Omaha for Leadershare conference last spring. We held an OS auction and I made 4 items to be auctioned. One item brought it $100 and the others $50-$80 each. That's enough for surgery for one child and help towards a second. That made this personal. Then I got the letter, that really reinforced what a wonderful gift just rounding up small amounts is. It adds up and a child's self esteem and hope are restored. Powerful.
So the strength in this post is really about the strength of these children prior to surgery and how they carry on despite the teasing and ridicule they experience. They are amazing. It warms my heart to see their big smiles after their cleft palate repairs. So when you are prompted to round up on your order, don't bypass that opportunity to make a difference. So here's to Solomon, may you have a bright future!
This particular letter contained a handwritten thank you note and it's English translation, from Solomon, an 11 yr old Ethiopian boy. He endured years of teasing by other children but his family could not afford such an operation. When his father heard that OS was coming to Ethiopia, he brought him to that city to get his lips fixed. After his surgery, Solomon felt like a better person and started his new life, not having anything to be ashamed of anymore. He dreams of becoming a doctor someday so he can help others the way he was helped. A before photo showed him and his expression looked so sad but his after photo showed a beautiful beaming smile and sparkle in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes.
You see when you purchase Close To My Heart products through my website, you are asked if you wanted to round up for Operation Smile. How many times are we asked to do this? It may be just small change to round up. Does it make a difference? Well here is proof that it does.
I was so excited when the senior executive team of CTMH visited Omaha for Leadershare conference last spring. We held an OS auction and I made 4 items to be auctioned. One item brought it $100 and the others $50-$80 each. That's enough for surgery for one child and help towards a second. That made this personal. Then I got the letter, that really reinforced what a wonderful gift just rounding up small amounts is. It adds up and a child's self esteem and hope are restored. Powerful.
So the strength in this post is really about the strength of these children prior to surgery and how they carry on despite the teasing and ridicule they experience. They are amazing. It warms my heart to see their big smiles after their cleft palate repairs. So when you are prompted to round up on your order, don't bypass that opportunity to make a difference. So here's to Solomon, may you have a bright future!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sock Monkey..........SQUEE!
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| Sock Monkey! |
Can you believe this sweet little sock monkey was born out of the Whoooo's Your Valentine kit stamp set? Another consultant created the monkey and my friend Maureen Falcon, saw it on her blog and made it. The original post showed it made into a tag....cute, cute, cute!
The link to her board is on my Pinterest board for Nifty Craft Ideas.
I thought that was creative thinking to come up a sock monkey using this stamp set . The Pom Pom is CTMH bakers twine. I will be making these....l had to share this clever idea. LOVE ITIf you want to make your own ....,you need this stamp set and it is omly available in the the Whos Your Valentine kit this January. Supplies are dwindling for the Who's Your Valentine kit and deadline is 1/31, if they last that long. Just order $35 to qualify to buy the kit for $10! Click here.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
It's going to an AWESOME day!
Guilty ........do you do this too? I know I am not alone.
Have a good story to share? Tell us in the comments section!
I should have all sorts of fun art to post tomorrow.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Are you a badass at your passion?
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| Good words to live by Week 2 of PT is completed! It has been a humbling week. I did not feel like a badass earlier in the week. I tolerate the sessions well and able to do all ROM as indicated with moderate pain. Pain is more muscular now. Overhead reach is 161 degrees just 3 weeks post op! I am impressed with my progress so far. After Wednesdays session I was in pretty bad pain that lasted from 9:30pm until today, so I was nervous about more pain with today's visit. Surprised to find out that while I do hurt, the level is not as intense plus I can move more despite the pain. I am iced up and took one Percocet so that is helping. I will resume my badass self tomorrow! Started driving now so I don't feel imprisoned. Getting my hair washed and style tomorrow by my friend Jackie, then driving to Lifetime fitness for a bike clinic! Will swing by Red Dirt Running to see what they have going on too.....that will feel good. I may even park and take a walk around lake Z. We have our family Christmas Sunday. Very excited for that. It kills me to look at all the unwrapped gifts yet. Weird holiday this year with my surgery 12/21, Marshall & Sami were gone or. Busy must weekends in December before Christmas then they were with her family in Ohio 12/22-1/8. They usually come over and spend night on our faux Xmas eve and stay in his old room. That way we wake up together Xmas morning and have wassail and gifts. His idea & I love that they want to that. Makes it so special. Unfortunately this year we have to settle for faux Xmas morning only. My hubby works night as patrol officer and we will have breakfast then open gifts since he will just be getting home. Our family has had to learn how to be flexible with our scheduling of holidays and celebrations but it all works out. I hope to get some artwork and pics posted this weekend. Until then, craft on dudettes! |
Warrior wisdom
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| I will Perservere! |
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Whooo's Your Valentine?
National Papercrafting Month - Whooo’s Your Valentine
December 2012 - January 2013
Spread the word and help us celebrate National Papercrafting Month in January with this exclusive Whooo’s Your Valentine kit promotion, perfect for gifts and classroom projects!
Spend only $35 and qualify to purchase this kit for only $10!
Supplies are limited so order soon to ensure your kit gets in your hands.
To order, simply click on the shopping cart and go shopping, once you spend $35 you will be prompted to order the special....simple!
The fall catalog retires Jan. 31 so order any items from that Idea Book now and qualify!
Party!
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| Paper cake by the slice- great for a shower or party! |
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| Individual slice for each guest- treats inside! |
Look at this great party cake! Made using CTMH Avonlea paper kit and the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge. 3 flowers made with Cricut adorn each piece, along with our silver satin ribbon. Stamped tag using the stamp kit in the Avonlea card workshop on the go. Silver glitter tape. Band of frosting layer on the sides is the coordinating zip strip. Very.easy to make. You could use a centerpiece and guest gifts.
Below is an adorable holiday table party place setting. The Santa mustaches were cut using Cricut Artiste, as was the treat box. My upline Shari made these for our unit party. Everything looked so pretty and festive.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Look ma- I made this with one hand!
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| Hand stamped sympathy card |
Here is one of the cards I made using an older paper kit scraps and our sunflower stamps. I used chocolate pigment ink for the flowers and leaves since I was using markers to color them. I used alcohol markers in creme brûlée and olive. I used a couple of foam dots to pop 2 of them up.
Colors used in the card : creme brûlée, chocolate, olive, juniper and colonial white. I wanted to use sunflowers because they are the favorite flowers of the person this card is for and I hope it makes her smile.
On another note, my recovery is progressing well. It felt good to make something tonight. I was pleased that I could do it with one working arm. Just think what I can do once I am back with 2 arms! I have started my PT for rehab and it feels good to have my shoulder moving, even if it isn't by me yet! Even though I am sidelined from training, it is giving me more time to create and craft. This will keep me sane and happy. I am so extremely happy my pain levels are so minimal so I don't require many pain meds anymore. I feel I am rejoining the living. Thanks to my husband Mike and son Chris for all of their attentiveness and help since surgery. I still cannot hoist myself out of the recliner where I sleep just yet. Not consistently anyway....sometimes I get lucky!
I need followers!
I see so many people visiting my blog from all over the world and that is exciting! Yet I have a mere 15 followers. For those of you stopping by - thank you! Could I ask a favor? Please join my site as a regular follower. It's easy- by the list of followers jst click the blue JOIN this blog icon. I will not send you email updates unless you ask for those in the other section. I treasure my blog followers and comments. I don't see too many comments lately, so lets start chatting it up more too!
Let me know what you like and what you would like to find here or see more of.
Thanks for stopping by! Look at ths week.......visitors from London and Canada! Woo hoo!
Spring and Summer Idea Books are here! Make a purchase this month and I will send you one FREE! So many cool new papers, ribbons, stamps, workshop kits! Love it
Let me know what you like and what you would like to find here or see more of.
Thanks for stopping by! Look at ths week.......visitors from London and Canada! Woo hoo!
Spring and Summer Idea Books are here! Make a purchase this month and I will send you one FREE! So many cool new papers, ribbons, stamps, workshop kits! Love it
Monday, December 24, 2012
Post Op Ramblings
Made it through my rotator cuff repair 12/21 and had an extra bonus.....the Mayans apparently were not good at math. For the next 12-16 weeks I will be a one arm wonder. Should be interesting. Creative rehab right? disclaimer- may see misspellings, poor grammar, lack of punctuation etc. - blame the Percocet. don't judge me
Pain is not horrible....Percocet help. My new best friends: continuos ice machine,iPad, iPhone, Pandora and my iPhone speakers. Technology will get me through this.
I am sporting the ginormous shoulder pad look from the 80's, well at east on the left side. Perhaps I look more like IGOR in young Frankenstein. My hair does not look too bad.....from the front. I can feel that I have a serious case of bed head in the back. All I do is medicate, ice, sleep. I am trying to move around more though, or I will need dynamite soon. You know what I mean. Ugly business.
My girlfriends are coming over this morning and I am hoping to get hair washed and blown out. Maybe I will feel human again. On a positive note- got my Studio J jpegs back for several projects so will post those soon. Well, wrapping this up so I can take advantage of the Percocet high.
Pain is not horrible....Percocet help. My new best friends: continuos ice machine,iPad, iPhone, Pandora and my iPhone speakers. Technology will get me through this.
I am sporting the ginormous shoulder pad look from the 80's, well at east on the left side. Perhaps I look more like IGOR in young Frankenstein. My hair does not look too bad.....from the front. I can feel that I have a serious case of bed head in the back. All I do is medicate, ice, sleep. I am trying to move around more though, or I will need dynamite soon. You know what I mean. Ugly business.
My girlfriends are coming over this morning and I am hoping to get hair washed and blown out. Maybe I will feel human again. On a positive note- got my Studio J jpegs back for several projects so will post those soon. Well, wrapping this up so I can take advantage of the Percocet high.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The challenge ahead
This Friday I have rotator cuff surgery. I have mixed feelings about it, kind of like finding out your are pregnant for the first time then being terrified at the prospect of giving birth.
I have watched my husband go through having both his shoulders done so I understand the intense pain post op and during the following 12-16 weeks of rehab. I know there can be a depression as you recover and you wonder if your arm will ever be the same. I understand this. I want to think I will be strong and push through this but part of mind wonders, am I tough enough to get through this and do the rehab even when it hurts like hell?
I just turned 60, will it be a factor......even though I am going into this in the best shape that I have been in since my 20's. I am a triathlete. I became a triathlete just this summer, in my 60th yr. that in itself has had repeated challenges and fears to overcome, as well as numerous injuries as I push my older body to run, cycle and swim faster and better. Did I give up? No. Was it hard? Yes was it demoralizing at times? Yes ......I am thinking perhaps this first season has hardened me and prepared me for the challenge and limitations of this surgery. That's what I think most of the time. It will be difficult not to be able to run this winter.....I love cold weather running. I am post menopausal so I carry my own internal heat source and it works for me. I will miss that.....and the multisports community. I worry how I will cope with seeing posts and watching friends begin training for the season when I cannot. I am trying to make peace with the loss of a tri season. It is hard. I am driven to train and I enjoy it. I get cranky without it. I have set up my bike trainer so I can cycle when permitted and I have a "dreadmill" to walk on. If I can't race then I will volunteer. My goal was to run my first half marathon in Sept. I am going to try to make that goal. Trying to be positive. This is also prime scrapbooking time but not sure I can do much with one hand.......perhaps I can really get a lot of digital Studio J scrapping done..... I can mouse and click just fine!
Say a prayer for an uneventful surgery and recovery. I will post but probably not til after Christmas since I will be drugged up quite nicely......at least that's the plan!
I have watched my husband go through having both his shoulders done so I understand the intense pain post op and during the following 12-16 weeks of rehab. I know there can be a depression as you recover and you wonder if your arm will ever be the same. I understand this. I want to think I will be strong and push through this but part of mind wonders, am I tough enough to get through this and do the rehab even when it hurts like hell?
I just turned 60, will it be a factor......even though I am going into this in the best shape that I have been in since my 20's. I am a triathlete. I became a triathlete just this summer, in my 60th yr. that in itself has had repeated challenges and fears to overcome, as well as numerous injuries as I push my older body to run, cycle and swim faster and better. Did I give up? No. Was it hard? Yes was it demoralizing at times? Yes ......I am thinking perhaps this first season has hardened me and prepared me for the challenge and limitations of this surgery. That's what I think most of the time. It will be difficult not to be able to run this winter.....I love cold weather running. I am post menopausal so I carry my own internal heat source and it works for me. I will miss that.....and the multisports community. I worry how I will cope with seeing posts and watching friends begin training for the season when I cannot. I am trying to make peace with the loss of a tri season. It is hard. I am driven to train and I enjoy it. I get cranky without it. I have set up my bike trainer so I can cycle when permitted and I have a "dreadmill" to walk on. If I can't race then I will volunteer. My goal was to run my first half marathon in Sept. I am going to try to make that goal. Trying to be positive. This is also prime scrapbooking time but not sure I can do much with one hand.......perhaps I can really get a lot of digital Studio J scrapping done..... I can mouse and click just fine!
Say a prayer for an uneventful surgery and recovery. I will post but probably not til after Christmas since I will be drugged up quite nicely......at least that's the plan!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
New Studio J Artwork
I did my first Express Collection in Studio J and I love them! Quick, easy, and simple. I was able to complete 30 pages in one evening! This is the first set I did, titled Art Chicks. To see the entire collection go to my artwork tab.
I will post new layouts to the artwork once I get my jpegs.
Studio J will be primary scrapping mode for the few months. I am having rotator cuff surgery in a week so will not have full use of that arm for 12 weeks. I am going to become intimately familiar with Studio J functionality and will host classes in my studio once I am able to put myself together so I don't frighten anyone. This surgery is really jamming up my half marathon and triathlon training for 2013. I am bringing my bike in and putting it on the trainer so I can cycle in my sling. I am lucky enough to have a treadmill so I can walk. No running for 12 weeks- dang it. I plan to hit my shoulder rehab like training- beast mode. I will be able to start training again late March if all goes well. I will be stronger once healed. Let's just git er done!
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| Studio J Expression Collection layout 1- That FACE! |
Studio J will be primary scrapping mode for the few months. I am having rotator cuff surgery in a week so will not have full use of that arm for 12 weeks. I am going to become intimately familiar with Studio J functionality and will host classes in my studio once I am able to put myself together so I don't frighten anyone. This surgery is really jamming up my half marathon and triathlon training for 2013. I am bringing my bike in and putting it on the trainer so I can cycle in my sling. I am lucky enough to have a treadmill so I can walk. No running for 12 weeks- dang it. I plan to hit my shoulder rehab like training- beast mode. I will be able to start training again late March if all goes well. I will be stronger once healed. Let's just git er done!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Holiday sale!
Yippee! HUGE discounts on paper packs and embellishments! These items are going fast and are while supplies last. Great buys for Christmas gifts! Click here to start shopping the sale! Happy holidays!
Framed Rolled Christmas Tree
Don't you just love this tree? I made for our GottaStamp Crew holiday party gift exchange and it was stolen several times in the exchange before it found its very happy owner. This is a great use of your holiday paper scraps. I take no credit for the idea. I saw it at convention and it's on Pinterest & other crafting sites, so this is my take on it. You can use any frame size you want and just adapt the lengths of the rolls. See below for instructions:
Supply list:
Various holiday scrapbook papers
Cricut Artiste
CTMH Glitter Gels- red, green, almond and snowflake.
CTMH brass buttons
CTMH cranberry bakers twine.
Chipboard or corrugated star
Frame of your preference
One last thing, I prefer to display on a easel stand but you could hang it also. Happy creating!
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| Framed rolled paper Christmas tree To make this tree I turned my frame sideways and cut my longest base roll at 8" x 3", then 7 1/2 x 3, 7x3, etc., all the way to 1 x 3. |
- Use a pencil to roll the paper and use CTMH Bonding Memories glue to adhere the edge. It dries fast so I like that. I used all CTMH holiday paper.
- I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge and found a shape I could use for the brown base. There are several to chose from and I sliced part of this off to get a potted base look. I used chocolate cardstock.
- Sponge the edges of the pot with chocolate ink and random stamp some scroll designs in chocolate. I was going to emboss them but I got lazy. It may have been the cold I am battling.
- I used CTMH glitter gel to place scalloped lines and dots on the rolls. I used red, green, almond and clear. I had some scrap chipboard dots so I glitter gelled them as ornaments but buttons or anything you have would look good.
- The star is one of our corrugated cardboard stars that glittered with almond glitter gel. I used one of our antiqued brass buttons and cranberry bakers twine.
- Select a neutral print for your background and glue it your frame base. Discard or repurpose the glass as you won't need it.
- Use 3D tape to pop up and adhere the pot.
- Hot glue the paper rolls to the fame base. Hot glue your star and voila! Merry Christmas!
Supply list:
Various holiday scrapbook papers
Cricut Artiste
CTMH Glitter Gels- red, green, almond and snowflake.
CTMH brass buttons
CTMH cranberry bakers twine.
Chipboard or corrugated star
Frame of your preference
One last thing, I prefer to display on a easel stand but you could hang it also. Happy creating!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Alert- ONLINE EZ Invite order OPEN
It's time to get your Christmas cards made so what could be easier than using one these kits! Each kit will make 5 each of these 3 cards:
To order, click on the shopping cart then click on Card workshop EZ Invite link in the lower right corner and order the Pear and Partridge CARD workshop on the go (item G1043). You will need your own adhesive and paper trimmer to prepare these. They are available in online ordering too. You will aslo use the followiing ink pads: cocoa, olive, cranberry. You need those colors to use with the inluded stamp set. You will also need acrilyx blocks to place your stamps on. The are in the online shopping as well. If you schedule a workshop with me.....you can use my stamp pads, blocks and cleaner so you wont have to order them.
These cards are so much fun and I will teach you the following techniques in a workshop:
Random stamping
Second generation stamping
Masking for a two color stamp
Sponge distressing
Now is also the time to put your wish list together for your hubby, family and friends. Let me know you need a catalog by messaging me in an email. I will wrap and create a hand made tag for all holiday orders! Sweet!
In closing, I just want to say that I am so grateful to such wonderful customers and friends that I have met through CTMH. I wish you all a blessed Thankgiving. Enjoy the fall!
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| Handmade Christmas Cards- CTMH Ccard workshop |
These cards are so much fun and I will teach you the following techniques in a workshop:
Random stamping
Second generation stamping
Masking for a two color stamp
Sponge distressing
Now is also the time to put your wish list together for your hubby, family and friends. Let me know you need a catalog by messaging me in an email. I will wrap and create a hand made tag for all holiday orders! Sweet!
In closing, I just want to say that I am so grateful to such wonderful customers and friends that I have met through CTMH. I wish you all a blessed Thankgiving. Enjoy the fall!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Harvest Banner
I made the Harvest Banner that is shown in the Fall/Winter idea book using the Cricut Artiste cartridge. I love this cartridge! How did I EVER craft without my Cricut?
I cut the banner at 4 inches, the zigzag border at 1/4" and the letters at 2 inches. I did hand cut the leaves stamped from my favorite stamp set .......I love the little acorns! I colored them using our new alcohol markers. I tied it together with natural hemp and a little burlap ribbon on the ends. It found the perfect home on my mantle.
All products used are CTMH. Enjoy!
I cut the banner at 4 inches, the zigzag border at 1/4" and the letters at 2 inches. I did hand cut the leaves stamped from my favorite stamp set .......I love the little acorns! I colored them using our new alcohol markers. I tied it together with natural hemp and a little burlap ribbon on the ends. It found the perfect home on my mantle.
All products used are CTMH. Enjoy!
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| Harvest Banner using the CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge |
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Bucket list goal met!
I wanted to take a moment and share my excitement about meeting another big goal....cycling 25 miles! The first half was cake but the return was into 18mph headwinds and was BRUTAL. As I sit here this afternoon sipping a celebratory glass of wine, I reflect back on my first athletic season in 40 years.....my 60th year. I have completed 3 sprint triathlons, Warrior Dash, Color me Rad 5k, Dirty Girl mud run, Trek 25 mile breast cancer ride, Corporate cup 5k and scheduled for Goat and Gobbler 10 mile run in November. Despite battling multiple injuries, my age and my weight- I DID IT! That is amazing to me.....hope my next season in 2013 will be even better as I lose weight and get stronger. We can accomplish more than we imagine if we just put our mind to it and keep moving forward, no matter how slow! I have also met some of the most inspirational and supportive people in Team Nebraska Triathlon, Women Who Tri and Omaha Endurance Group. I could not have done this without them!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
October EZ invite order closes 10/14
Hi all! I have a group order going in Sunday evening. If you need any supplies or holiday gifts and want to order anything now........go to my shopping cart and in the lower right side of the page it will have a link to online shopping. Anything you order on the EZ invite will ship directly to you! I love that since so many of us are all over the country. This would be a great time to get your holiday cards done using the Pear and Partridge Card workshop....it contains pretty much everything you need to create beautiful cards, envelopes included. All you need outside of the kit is your preferred color of ink pad, a block for your stamps, adhesive of your choice and your paper trimmer. If you need any of these items, just order them at the same time. New to stamping? You will also want a stamp spritz cleaner and scrubber to cleanse your stamps. Any questions......just comment below or shoot me an email. I am going to be making the Avonlea Card workshop Sunday and making some Halloween items with the new Cricut Artiste cartridge....also available for order. YES I AM SHAMELESS!
Don't judge me. :)
Don't judge me. :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Follow me
First of all a huge thank you for stopping by my blog and checking it out. If you stop by and like what you see, could you help me grow my stalkers, er followers? Just click on the blue JOIN THIS SITE icon by the followers section on the right. I will not email or contact you with updates. If you do want email updates then just sign up under the follow by email section instead. My goal is to hit 50 stalkers/followers by January 1st but I need your help to get there. If you have a blog, comment me and leave your blog URL and I will follow you too!
Let's see if anyone notices this. Blog candy to some lucky follower once I hit 25 followers! It could be you!
As followers, what would you like see regularly? Studio J digital layouts? Cards? Scrapbook layouts? Random crafts? Little bit o everything? What do enjoy in a blog? More info on techniques or artwork for inspiration? Now is your chance to tell me what you like and want. Would you like to win some blog candy? Leave a comment or or email me......I value your feedback! Thanks!
Let's see if anyone notices this. Blog candy to some lucky follower once I hit 25 followers! It could be you!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
DIY iPhone Bling!
Here's a use for your extra paper and flatter type embellies .........individualize your iPhone! These are paper inserts that fit inside a clear phone case. Change it out for each holiday, your mood, great for sports fans, school colors, your imagination is the limit! Here is a fun insert I made for Halloween.....out of scraps no less! What a great way to easily ID your phone from all the billions out there and put your own stamp on uniqueness on it. I make these on request and personalize. Just email me or leave me your contact info in the comments if you would like one for yourself or for gifts. Making something useful AND fun........win win!
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| Cute IPhone Cover Inserts! Yes! |
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Halloween!
I LOVE Halloween and decorating for it and the fall. Here is my latest adventure in creativity- POLKA DOT white pumpkins and glittery spider web pumpkins! I created a stencil using my Close To My Heart circle punch then I stenciled dots using black metallic acrylic paint. I wanted black glitter but this looks great. I used black glitter glue to freehand the spider webs on the small pumpkins then used a dowel to skewer the two pumpkins on top of each other and girlified them with pretty bows and ribbons. Eek! Watch out for those purple glittery spiders.....love them! So this is what I created today and I am pretty full of myself right now.
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| My spotted, monogrammed and webbed pumpkin towers. |
Here is a shot of my front porch.....well, just the entry. More pics on my Facebook page.
Happy Octoberrrrrrrrr!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
FREE Studio J layout Special!
Yippee! If you have not dipped your toes into the digital scrapbooking pond (Studio J) then now is the time to dive in! Now I love traditional scrapping and a few years ago I would never have considered digital BUT with Studio J, I have found comfort and happiness in both traditional and digital scrapping worlds. I love the SPEED that I can create layouts in Studio J and have been doing all my sporting events and race photos digitally while my memories and journaling are fresh. Now with Express Layouts it's even easier....simply drag my uploaded pics into the photo wells and add journaling...BAM! DONE! No mess, no scraps, no inky fingers......because sometimes I like to roll that way!
Here's the details.....just click on the Studio J icon or tab to get started. Be warned........you will get sucked in! I have 4 layouts done already!
Here's the details.....just click on the Studio J icon or tab to get started. Be warned........you will get sucked in! I have 4 layouts done already!
Featured Product: Custom-printed Studio J® layouts
Who can participate: Everyone!
Details: Buy 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts, get the 10th free. (Limit of 4 free layouts per order.)
- What is the item number for the free layout? No special item numbers are required. Just add 10 or more layouts to your cart and you’ll automatically receive every 10th layout free!
- What is included with the free layout? Your custom-printed two-page layout as well as the accompanying free JPG file are included with your free layout
- Are JPG files included in this campaign? Purchasing stand-alone JPG files will not help you qualify for this campaign as the campaign only includes custom-printed layouts. You do receive free JPG files of your free, custom-printed layout.
- Will tax be charged on this promotion? No tax is assessed on the free layout.
- Will shipping/handling be charged on this promotion? Shipping/handling rates will not change with this promotion. One box will hold 50 layouts. Shipping will be charged per box regardless if the box contains free layouts or not.
- How many promotional layouts can each Studio J user receive? You can receive up to 4 free layouts per order (with 36 paid layouts).
- How do I order the free layout? It’s all automatic. Just add 10 or more layouts to your cart and you’ll automatically receive the 10th layout free!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Quick Card- Shell
I was down in the studio tonight working on a couple projects and sipping some wine when I decided to make a quick card with my scraps. Those who know me understand I do not waste anything! I stamped the quick card shell stamp on 3x3 white daisy, matted it on desert sand and used a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card base with bamboo. Yes, I am using my scraps from the last card I made and my other projects. The ink on the stamp is our pigment inks: Indian corn blue, slate and champagne. I popped the matted image up on 3d foam tape and used our brown striped ribbon for an extra touch. Very simple.....honestly, I think it took 10 minutes to make. It's the first time I have used the quick card stamps and I am hooked now! I hope you enjoy!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Adventures in Cycling
No artwork to post today. Today I chose to enjoy this beautiful fall Nebraska day outside. I am lucky enough to live near a fantastic bike trail and the trees are changing colors, there was no wind and temperature was perfect! How could I not cycle? Besides I just put a better seat on the bike to better protect my lady bits on longer rides. My bike computer was acting hincky so not sure of exact mileage but I estimate around 16 miles. Did some hill work and then explored the trail for the longer ride. It felt like being 12 again without a care in the world. Loving my new Trek! I have a 25 miler in 2 weeks so need to work on longer distances. Would have gone further today but not taking any chances with a new saddle.....why push my luck? Lol
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Oh Happy Day card
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Using New Mini Pigment Ink Pads
I got the chance to play around with the new CTMH mini pigment ink pads this week. I feel that I have just touched the tip of the iceberg with what these little babies can do. I used both the dye and pigment based pads to create some cards so I could compare the two. The colors I used: Smokey Plum and Olive. The 4 x 4 card is a base of Desert Sand, using the Avonlea bulk paper and bamboo pennants. All stamping with pigment inks was done on white daisy, as recommended for best color intensity. I used the dye based s. plum to stamp the background script on the white daisy using the second generation technique. I then stamped another dye based s. plum medallion over the script. I stamped the same medallion with the pigment ink, cut it out and popped it up with foam tape over the first image. I did the the same script on the text piece but used olive pigment for the text. I shaded all pieces in smokey plum. The card is not quite done in this photo- it looked a bit plain so I added pearl opaques and am trying to decide if I should use some liquid glass over the top medallion- I am leaning that way. I wanted to use clear embossing powder on the pigment ink but it dried too quickly on this piece for some reason. I will post a final photo when I decide.
Supplies used:
Smokey Plum & Olive Pigment ink pads and dye based ink Exclusive ink pads
Desert Sand card stock
Bamboo card stock
White Daisy card stock
Avonlea Bulk Paper
Stamp Set: Avonlea Card Workshop stamp set
What I discovered while playing with the new inks:
I would LOVE to see what you all have created using the new inks and hear your comments on your experiences with them; the good, the bad and the ugly. Email me your artwork and I will post some of it showing how you used the new inks on the board.
Have a wonderful week.
 |
| Card Design by De Bahr; using new CTMH pigment ink |
Supplies used:
Smokey Plum & Olive Pigment ink pads and dye based ink Exclusive ink pads
Desert Sand card stock
Bamboo card stock
White Daisy card stock
Avonlea Bulk Paper
Stamp Set: Avonlea Card Workshop stamp set
What I discovered while playing with the new inks:
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new stamp scrubber- who knew? I must have another.
- I like the smaller pad- easy to mask images by ink placement.
- My images dried faster than anticipated so I would recommend having that embossing powder and heat gun at the ready to use immediately.
- The colors of the pigment ink ARE the same just richer and they do cover text you stamp over, where the dye based does not.
- You need to stamp with a lighter touch and not press too hard or your stamp will slide with the pigments and blur your image.
- The black pigment is great for stamping images to be colored in with alcohol markers- no bleeding as long as your make sure the black is DRY.
I would LOVE to see what you all have created using the new inks and hear your comments on your experiences with them; the good, the bad and the ugly. Email me your artwork and I will post some of it showing how you used the new inks on the board.
Have a wonderful week.
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