Beachy Best Friend and Exciting News

Do you ever get an idea for a card and no matter what you do, you can't make it work? And then there are the times you get a vision and the end product is even more perfect in real life than it was in my mind. This beach best friend card was one of the latter.

Stamps: You're the Best Friend (Embossing Arts), Sea Shells {background}(Rubber Stampede),Sea shell {under netting} (Rubber Stamp Plantation), Starfish ( Biblical Impressions) Card Stock: Craft(SU) Other: Prismacolor pencils, Magic Mesh, jeweled sun

Here is one of the 4 cards I submitted for the Paper Crafts Idol contest. I wasn't chosen in the top 20, so I can add my cards to my blog now. I'm only a little sad that I didn't make the top ten. I just figure that God has something else planned for me to do for the next 4 weeks. I'm really proud of these cards and I need to include them in this blog because it's like a creative journal for me. I thought about adding them in one post, but I think I'll add them gradually.

The exciting part of it is that I do know someone who made the top 20. Julie Korber from Out to Impress, one of my best blogging buddies. She is a very delightful lady, not to mention her obvious talent. We need to get behind her and vote for her each week. After the judges choose the top 20, we get to vote on the next four rounds. They are working on their first challenge right now.

While I'm talking about exciting things... Sarah (Sarosa) is celebrating 7,000 visits to her blog, Encouraging Impressions. Your encouraging comment on Sarah's blog will be your chance to win some cool stamps.

Hibiscus and Prayer

Finished Card Size: 5 x 7

Stamps: Before you Sleep (Stampendous), Hibiscus (Embossing Arts),

Card Stock: White card stock(Georgia Pacific), Chocolate Chip (SU),

Printed paper: not sure

Ink: Basic Brown (SU)

Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils

Other: Ticket Punch

Continuing on the prayer theme. This image took a loooong time to color. I don't think I'm going to send this card to anyone. Instead, I'll use it as inspiration in The Card Castle (the room).

I have a class scheduled tonight so I need to go or call and see if anyone signed up. The thing is, I'm not as ready as I'd like to be for the coloring class. I have to do some more thinking on just how I am going to present the it. Because I'm not formally trained in art, there are a lot of things I've done in my coloring that really have an official name and/or reason. It's like this. I color like I make Macaroni and Cheese. Anybody who has ever had my Mac and Cheese and has asked for the recipe has gotten this response, "I don't have a recipe, but, you can come and watch me make it." In a way I guess I do have a recipe. I always use the same pot when I make the cheese sauce. I fill it 3/4 full of milk and add in cheese until it melts and is thick and creamy. I just haven't taken the time to write down how much milk is 3/4 of my pot and how much melted cheese it takes to make the thick creamy sauce. When it comes to coloring, if I stop and think about it, I do have certain methods and things that I just do without thinking. I've been coloring with Prismacolors since my senior year in high school. I need to get some things written down for the next class later this month. I also need to come up with a booklet that they can hang on to once the class is over with their samples and notes. Gotta get that thinking cap on today.... oh well, I need to get on with my busy day.

Did you know that Saturday is World Card Making Day? What are you going to do to celebrate?? I need to think about this too! I hope you have a blessed day.

Chocolate Does the Rest...

Finished Card Size: 5.5 x 4.25
Stamps:Love and Chocolate (Embossing Arts), Swirl (Inkadinkado)
Card stock: Real Red, Mauve Mist (SU),White Card (Georgia Pacific)
Ink:Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukenko) Real Red (SU)
Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils
Other: Ticket Corner Punch


Finished Card Size: 5.5 x 4.25
Stamps:Love and Chocolate (Embossing Arts)
Card stock: Purples (Bazzill),White Card(Georgia Pacific)
Ink:Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukenko)
Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils
Other: Ticket Corner Punch and Notched Corner Punch (SU)

I don't know why I'm so tired... all I did was sit and make cards for 4 and a half hours. It is a little frustrating-- not that anyone should have a right to complain about a job where they get paid to do what they love to do and would probably already do at home-- because I I'm somewhat limited in what I can do, based on the selection of stamps and inks available at Michaels. I did some stamping and coloring today and I am going to have to go and find a better paper to stamp on. I feel like a spoiled brat at this point, but the paper really does make a difference. I'll probably just bring a few sheets from home for now, but before my first class I'll do some investigating around the store. They carry Brilliance, but no re-inkers, so I had to open a brand new one today. I am trying to get ready for a class preview day in a little over a week. If you've never been to one, it's like a craft fair of store instructors. We will each have a table set up with our craft and we advertise our upcoming classes. I'm really bummed (again I'm complaining) because the times that are best for me are times that the classroom is locked in with Wilton and One Stroke classes. But, I'll fill in a few classes for October and November and see how it goes.

About my classes: I decided to teach what I do best ( in my opinion) So I'm going to do a series of classed called Stamp in Color. I want to work with stampers who already know how to stamp, but want to improve their coloring skills. --One week we will do color pencils, and another water color pencils and another chalks. I am happy to say that they have that Footprints stamp I bought so I may use that in a coloring class.

For October, I'm going to do the Paper Wallets project. I think I'm going to do something with boxes (with gifting in mind) for my project class in November. And finally each month, I'll offer a "Stamp a Stack" type class where they come and make a several pre-designed cards with very little coloring.

Love is the Most Excellent Way

Finished Card Size: 5.5 x 4.25
Stamps: Heartspeak(SU), Love is... (Embossing Arts)
Card stock: White card(Bazzill),white center(Georgia Pacific) scrap strips (SU)
Ink:Brilliance Graphite Black and Victorian Violet (Tsukenko)
Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils
Technique used: Masking*

I don't usually give step by step instructions because of time constraints, but if you ever want to know how I did something just email me.

I just got my computer back today. YIPPEE! I had to take it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy. Remember it got a virus within 30 minute of being online the night we got the Internet hooked up. The hardware was ok, but the operating system had to be totally restored. I called AT&T today and gently complained that if the original person who signed me up had correctly done their job and activated the Internet security suite I would have downloaded it with the installation that probably would not have been the case. Today I downloaded it w/o a problem. They are giving me a credit that will cover just about half the repair cost. ( that's better that's better than nothing). We had been using my daughters laptop until she went back to school yesterday. It's good to be back to "normal" again.

Yesterday, since I couldn't get online, I colored images and made lots of cards. I also chatted on the phone and got caught up with a couple of friends. I even moved the furniture and vacuumed the entire family room!! Who knew I could be so productive w/o a computer.

This is my 199th post in just a few months. I guess I have a lot to say, LOL. If I had more energy, I would come up with a contest for some blog candy, but since I don't, I'm going to randomly choose from someone who has already made a comment on post 1-199 and send them something. I will post who it is on the next post, probably after the holiday weekend.

Well I need to go, I only have a few minutes to catch up on a lot of blog reading. I will also have a lot of cards to finish and photograph this weekend. There will be plenty to post about in the coming days...

Have a blessed holiday weekend.
... and if you're interested in wining an HP compact photo printer, go to 5 minutes for Mom to enter a drawing.

But By My Spirit...

Today's Day 1! As I look around at all that still needs to be doneand I am overwhelmed. It's times like these that I am even more aware that I cannot do this in my own strength, but I need God's Spirit. Please pray for my strength (physical, mental, and spiritual), Please pray that they it all goes as smoothly as possible.

I love this reminder in Zechariah.





Finished Card Size: 5 X 7
Stamps: Zechariah 4:6(Embossing Arts), butterfly(Stampendous)
Cardstock: Blue(not sure), White card(Bazzill), Cardstock Vellum (SU)
Ink:Brocade Blue( SU), Versamark
Other: Clear Embossing Powder

I stamped the verse in the blue first and then stamped it again with Versamark and clear EP.

Just popping in before the movers get here. They will be packing for 2 days. I'm keeping the computer with me so I'll check back when I get a chance to sit down tonight or tomorrow.

And just so you don't think I'm crazy and blogging when I have so much to do, I uploaded several posts (one day last week) with the pictures and stamp credits. That way, I can blog pretty quickly when I have something to say.