Stampin’ UP! »

The Boo Box!

Altered Art, Gift Boxes, Grunge Paper/Board, Halloween, Holidays, More Than A Card, Spellbinders, Stampin' UP!, Techniques 20 Responses »

Sep 302009

WOW . . . it’s ! Where is this week going? Okay so maybe I don’t remember what I did during the first few days of the week . . .

Before I get started on my project for today, let me answer a few questions about the products I use. I get my May Arts Ribbon from Sharon Johnson’s store, Stamp Simply Ribbon. She told me last night if she doesn’t stock what you are looking for, she will special order! All the Ranger product I use, including both T!m and Wendy’s stamps, can be found at eclectic Paperie. Joy and Daisy are fabulous and so very helpful. Everything is stocked and they have a quick turn around time.

Now I have a question for you! Paper? What do you use? I have both SU and Prism and know that I won’t be purchasing any more SU. That leaves the Prism which I find matches BasicGrey DP fabulously, but it is rather flimsy for a card base. If you use Prism, where do you purchase it? I’m seriously thinking of switching over to Papertrey. If you use the paper from Papertrey what do you think about it?

Now that all that is over with, questions answered and if I forgot any that you’ve asked, please let me know. I try to answer each individual email you send, but sometimes it’s not always possible to get to them as quickly as I would like and then I forget to answer.

Now! How many of you love the movie Hook? It’s one of my favorites! You know how there are certain scenes in movies that you always think of. Like in the Color Purple, I will sit and watch the entire movie just to see Shug Avery walk her stuff down the road to the church, singing God’s Trying to Tell you Something. I LOVE that scene! In Hook, it’s the boo box! When Glenn Close is placed in the boo box and the look on her face . . . well it just slays me every time! So, since it’s that time of the year for Halloween (which is one of my faves to decorate for), I’ve made a Boo Box!

I bought a candle not too long ago that was in this fabulously sturdy box and the lid slides down inside. I kept the box thinking it would come in handy at some time or another. While I was making Halloween cards, and thinking about the girls, I decided that treat boxes might be in order. It will be so easy to slide some the girls fave chocolate in this box!

I had one sheet of Lollipop Lizzy DP and used that covered the box. All the edges were sponged with Black Soot Distress Ink. I circled the box with a purple band and tied some ribbon. I love watching ribbon melt, and used my candle lighter to melt the ribbon to give it a spookier look. The boo label was die cut/embossed using Spellbinders oval nestabilities. Since the paper had little skulls on it, I found a small grunge board skull, painted it white and then covered it with Rock Candy stickles. Way too much fun!

Stamps: Just Between Fiends
Paper: Hallowhimsy – Lollipop Lizzy from imaginisce; White and Black
Ink: Ranger Archival Jet Black and Black Soot Distress
Accessories: Ranger White Paint Dabber; Spellbinders S4-141 Petite Scalloped Ovals – Small, and S4-138 Petite Ovals – Large; Tsukineko Sponge Daubers; Tim Holtz idea-ology Elements Grunge Board; May Arts Ribbon and twine; Scalloped Border Punch; Buttons; Candle Lighter; Foam Tape

Oh my gosh, I’m done and it’s time to start my day! It’s not like I didn’t get up at 4:30 this morning. I’ve already folded one load of laundry, put in another, written this post, and took the photos. Anyhoo, have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping in!

Rainy Days, Shopping and Pedicures!

Her Badness, Misting with Markers, Stampin' UP!, Techniques, Tombow Marker 11 Responses »

Jul 232009

Good morning! Hope you had a good day yesterday. It was rainy here, but I still spent the morning running with my girls. There was some last minute shopping that needed to be done for me. Kate needed to get some supplies for her new classroom (Yeah for my middle school educator) and Mallory needed some stuff for her sorority meeting she’s got coming up. In and out of the rain we ran, until at lunch I was soaked to the skin and cold. I had asked Mallory about a pedicure earlier in the week, as I had never had one before . . . until today. Because Mallory told me the chairs were heated, I treated myself and the girls to pedicures at a little place next to where we had lunch. I can’t believe that I have NEVER treated myself to a pedicure before, but I can guarantee that it will not be the last. Just look at these great footsies!

I asked if I could have a discount because I only had 9 toes. They only laughed at me and continued on. Hmmpf!

Anyhoo, after my nap (I was sooooo cold with a major headache and wrapped up in a blanket . . . that’s all it took) I was feeling pretty good. I headed down to the studio and wanted to stamp, but just didn’t know with what. Following my plan of using stamps that have not seen ink ever or for a long time, I pulled out my new Wings of Friendship.

I colored the image with markers, misted with water and then stamped on hot press watercolor paper. I was beginning to sponge the edges of the background and realized that it probably had a white core, so I decided to sand instead. I left the sentiment off the front, as I realized that this would make and fabulous all occasion card. I’ll stamp something on the inside when I get ready to send it.

Stamps: Wings of Friendship from Stampin’ UP!
Paper: Arches Hot Pressed Watercolor; K&Company Classic K Bailey Mat Pad; SU Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede
Ink: SU Markers Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay; Tombow Markers Avocado; Ranger Old Paper Distress
Accessories: Ranger Mini Mister; SU Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch; Brands; Sanding Tools; Tsukineko Sponge Dauber; Venture Foam Tape

Here’s hoping you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Some Pun Fun!

Spellbinders, Stampin' UP! 10 Responses »

Jul 202009

Hey y’all. I know I’ve been absent the last few days, but something horrible happened . . . my mojo walked right out of the studio and went who knows where! After trying to color with markers, reinkers, anything . . . . I gave up. I walked out of the studio and spent a few days sleeping and playing with the little shitzes.

It’s probably a good thing I did take a break, as my trigger thumb started acting up again last week and I had to go back to the doctor this morning. I had a cortisone shot 8 weeks ago on my thumb and middle finger and all was well. The middle of last week my thumb started acting up again and by the time I got into the doctor this morning, I was in excruciating pain. I received another cortisone shot this morning and I must say that my thumb is still rather sore. If this shot doesn’t take, it looks like surgery is the next option. I opted out of surgery this time because I’m heading to CHA and didn’t want to be messing with a thumb that didn’t work right the entire time. I guess it’s now a wait and see situation.

This afternoon I was getting somewhat itchy for the smell of ink and paper, and thought I would try searching for the mojo. I need a simple masculine card to send to my uncle (remember this post of my uncle in my pool) who is waging his own battle with cancer. I also wanted the card to be funny and not serious . . . laughs and humor are needed now. Here’s the card I came up with . . . . just enough to say hello and that I’m thinking of you.

Stamps: Puns from the Past from Stampin’ UP!
Paper: BasicGrey Granola; Prism Suede Brown Dark; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Ink: Ranger Vintage Photo Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders S4-116 Small and S4-114 Large Classic Circle Nestabilities, and S4-128 Small and S4-126 Large Classic Square Nestabilities; BasicGrey Button; Twill Ribbon; Ranger Matte Accents; Venture Foam Tape; Twine

So now that I’ve babbled on enough . . . . I hope you have a great day!

Inspired by Nature!

Misting with Markers, Spellbinders, Stampin' UP!, Techniques, Tombow Marker 39 Responses »

Jul 062009

Good morning! I hope everyone enjoyed your holiday weekend! I had the family in on the 4th for a cookout and some together time. Of course, it rained so I set the grill up at the garage door and everything worked just great! Good times with my girls, their boyfriends and my mother!

Sunday afternoon I felt the need to be creative, but didn’t know what I wanted to do. I have projects that NEED to be done, but I was in the mood to play and not be too serious about it. I thought about doing some water coloring, but silhouettes were calling me from across the room. So I went to my SU cabinet, opened the doors, and there in front of me . . . . Inspired by Nature!

I’ve gone through so much watercolor paper recently that it was difficult, but I did find one scrap that was the right size for the images. The first thing I did was mist the watercolor paper with water and let it sit until semi dry. While the paper was drying, I went ahead and colored the grass with markers. When you could still see water sitting on the paper, I misted the stamp with water and then stamped on the watercolor paper. Because I wanted this background image softer, I misted the stamped image with more water, let it bleed a little, and then dabbed off the water with a towel. The flowers were then inked with markers, misted with water and stamped over the background. Oh how I’ve missed playing around with silhouettes with this technique.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature from Stampin’ UP!
Paper: Strathmore Watercolor; Prism Spring Willow Dark; SU Rich Razzleberry; BasicGrey Eva
Ink: Ranger Old Paper Distress; Tombow and SU Markers
Accessories: Spellbinders S4-218 Lattice Borderabilities; Ribbon; Brads; Tsukineko Sponge Dauber; Venture Foam Tape; Ranger Matte Accents

Now I have a challenge for you today. I’ve been getting emails from some of you saying that you subscribe to my blog, but I never see you comment. I love it when you leave a comment, because that is one of the ways that I get to know you! I’ve made some great friends through my blogging and sometimes actually get to meet them in person. Anyhoo, here’s my challenge! Leave me a comment, especially you subscribers that are to shy to comment , and I will pick one lucky winner to receive this card! You have until midnight EST tonight! Can’t wait to hear from you and thanks for stopping in today!

Floral Silhouettes!

Misting with Markers, Sewing/Stitching, Spellbinders, Stampin' UP!, Techniques, Tombow Marker 13 Responses »

Jul 022009

Good morning! Before I hit the road this morning, I wanted to share an SU! card with you. I know, I can hear some of you now . . . an SU! card? Well, I am still a demonstrator and do have a Stamp Club, but I rarely use SU! unless it’s for Stamp Club. One reason is that I haven’t bought much from the last few catalogues. When I saw the Level 2 Hostess Set, Kind and Caring Thoughts, I NEEDED it! It’s floral and a silhouette . . . oh my badness!

Anyhoo, here’s my first sample with the set.

One of my favorite techniques to use with floral silhouettes, is to stamp on damp watercolor paper. I mist my watercolor paper thoroughly and let it sit until just slightly damp. My image has been colored with markers, and when the paper is ready I mist the image with water and then stamp onto the damp paper. If the ink hasn’t bled enough to give the effect you’re after, you can always mist it with water and then dry with a heat tool to keep it from bleeding further. This is what I did with the gingko leaves in the background. By the time I got around to stamping the red flowers, the paper was already dry so the only water effecting this ink is that which is misted on the stamp.

Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts from Stampin’ UP!
Paper: Prism Spring Willow Dark and Black; Strathmore Watercolor
Ink: Ranger Archival Jet Black and Old Paper Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders S7-014 Grand 12” Classic Lace Borderabilities, S4-140 and S4-138 Petite Ovals, and S4-139 Scalloped Petite Ovals Large; Tombow Markers; Venture Foam Tape; Ranger Matte Accents and Mini Mister; Tsukineko Sponge Dauber; Sewing Machine; May Arts Ribbon