Friday, February 29, 2008

A Sweet Song!


Amy over on the ATS Blog, gave us design team gals a sketch challenge today. Here's my take. My only regret is that I can't get the colors quite right in the picture. Sigh! I love these little lovebirds from the Love Ya Much set from CC Designs. I colored them with watercolor crayons and Prismacolors and overstamped them lightly with the Plaid background. The words are from Monkey Love - the newest CC Designs release. I thought the little note brads were so much fun. Doesn't it look like the birdies are sitting on the branch singing?? I didn't add any leaves, cuz those little birdies just came back to announce that SPRING is on the way!!!!!

We'd love for you to play along with the sketch challenge! Be sure to check out the blog for all the details as well as the contest. Fun, fun!!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. We accepted the offer on our house and I was busy making plans to get the rest of our things from the house, oh - and I went grocery shopping and it took forever. Hopefully it will last for awhile!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Spring Flowers

I was a day late for my Stash Challenge over on A Shade of Blue. I woke up this morning - headache free, Praise the Lord!! - and realized that I'd lost a day somewhere and it's already Wednesday. Go figure!!

My challenge to you today is to use flowers on your card. They can be in your paper, your image, your embellishments... you choose! Let's see some Springtime!! :) This Cutie Patootie is from CC Designs/All That Scraps. Hey - did you hear that Christine from All That Scraps has Card Scents now? Wouldn't it be fun to make a monkey card that smelled like a banana??

The little blocks of designer paper were inspired by Nichole Heady's post on her blog the other day. I loved the look and it's such a quick and easy background. The flowers are a couple more of my precious Prima daisies. I have a trip to Gina K's store on the schedule to add another bottle of them to my stash. My problem is that I only like the daisies - the ones with long thin petals. The ones with rounder petals just don't do it for me. Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same tastes?? It makes the world such an interesting, colorful place!! :)

If you decide to take up my flower challenge I'd love to see your creation. You can leave me a link in the comments section. :) Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Rest...

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you Rest..." I don't know too many of us that couldn't use some rest. Unfortunately, we work so hard at finding rest that we ignore the fact that it only comes from a right relationship with Jesus Christ. I've been struggling with a nasty headache the last couple of days, so I've been leaning pretty heavily on this promise. This card is made with an image from the Everyday Events set by TAC, colored with markers and prismacolors. I picked up the verse stamp at Hobby Lobby's grand opening for 50% off!! :) I know it's one that I'll use often. The patterned paper is from an Autumn mat stack by DCWV, and the brads are from Gina K's store. I think the card itself is a piece of retired Baroque Burgundy cardstock from SU. I loved that color!! Maybe they'll bring it back as an In Color this fall. :)

Despite my headache, God is good! We actually have an offer on our house! Now to decide if we're going to accept it or not. I've given my two cents worth and laid it in my husband's hands to make the decision. I'll be happy either way. I'm so thankful that God gave me such a good leader for our family!!

Have a blessed day!



Monday, February 25, 2008

Spring??

Is it spring yet?? Well, maybe not just yet!! We're looking for 6-8 more inches of snow tonight, so my Spring will have to be in my cards and the wonderful Angel Company news I have to share. Be sure to keep reading after the pictures!! Today's card is made with one of my favorite retired sets - Rainy Day by SU. I used some of my designer paper from my K&Co pad and made a "Joy Fold" card for a cardtrading group that I'm in. I thought it turned out cute. Here's the inside...


Now for the Angel Company news... :)

We had a wonderful time at the Open House on Saturday! My upline & friend, Marisa, brought her Scor-Pal for us to try. Definitely a must have!! And.... drum roll, please... it would be a great half price item for a hostess. Speaking of hostesses - if you've ever though about holding a FUNshop or Party-in-a-Bag, March is a great month to do it!! In March hostess benefits are doubled!! You could even choose to do a show with a friend and split the hostess benefits. Isn't that fabulous?? You even get double Gift With Purchase stamps when you order. I'm so excited about this. :)

And, one more thing, the Spring Supplement is online and it is wonderful. I love so many of the sets - and - another candidate for my half-price hostess item - we have the Crop-o-Dile II! It's a larger version that has a reach of 6". This is on my wish list for sure.

Have any questions about The Angel Company?? Let me know. I'll be happy to answer your questions or send you out my newsletter!


Friday, February 22, 2008

Are you coming??

Are you coming to my open house tomorrow?? I'm almost ready... just have to make some brownies and muffins. Mmmmmm!! :) I was going to alter a frappe bottle tomorrow - but I decided to save that for class next month and make this cute little tin that I found at OfficeMax instead. Too cute! I used my Amberley Grace cardstock from TAC and the Pals set again. I love that little puppy, and he fits perfectly into my 1 1/4" punch. I'm almost out of this set of 12x12 patterned cardstock. It's SO pretty that I think I'll be getting more soon!!

Let me know if you can make it!


Thursday, February 21, 2008

Fun Colors and Monthly Card Kit Info

I made this card for the sketch challenge over at SCS yesterday. The colors are way out of my comfort zone, but they were so bright and cheery that I think I kind of like them! I spent the morning today making a card for the local MOPS group. Fun, fun, fun!! Well, at least for me. I hope they liked it. Tomorrow I'll work on getting the loose ends tied up for my open house on Saturday. I can't wait.

For those of you interested in my monthly card kits, I should have the information and sample picture up early next week, so be sure to check back or comment here with your email so I can send you the particulars when I have it all put together! I'll be doing this month's kit both as a class here in my home, or a "class by mail". I think you'll like it!!

Happy Stamping!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sketch Challenge

The sketch challenge on A Shade of Blue yesterday got me started, but then the card just kept going!! :) I loved the layered look of these Juliette papers from TAC with the Prima daisies, plus I got to use ribbon and lots and lots of brads!! Too fun. The little girl is from a $10.95 TAC set called Hats Off. Isn't she precious?? I love the look that I get when I use the Prismacolors & OMS on the tan Juliette cardstock. It gives it such a warm feeling.

Tomorrow I get to make a card with the Mother Of PreschoolerS group in Janesville, then Friday I'll get ready for my Open House on Saturday. We'll be making a card and an altered frappe bottle, I'll have treats and TAC specials and all sorts of fun things!! If you're in the area, you're invited! And if you're not, I'll be happy to send you my TAC newsletter and some coupons. Remember, you can order from me even if you live overseas!!

Have a wonderful day!

PS I see that my counter is over 10,000. Yippee!! Time for Blog Candy!! It may be a few days before I get it together, but keep checking! :)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Seeing Spots!!

Polka dots seem to be everywhere these days. My challenge to you today is to search through your stash and find some polka dots to use... Ribbons, brads, cardstock, stamp sets, you name it!! Let's see some spots!! I found my spots in a K&Co paper pack, and used them to mat a Gina K "How Sweet it Is" image that I colored with Prismacolors & OMS. I added a little glitz with Stickles... even right on my Prima daisy!! Be sure to upload your card into the ASB gallery under Stash Challenge #14 using the keyword STC14. Thanks for playing!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Super Stamping Day!!

I had a wonderful stamping day today, but very little that I can show yet!! I made a few challenge cards for different groups that I'm a part of, a project for an Angel Company contest, and a couple of monkey cards. This is my favorite of those.

I stamped the hanging monkey from the Monkey Love set (CC Designs) on watercolor paper and used my watercolor crayons to color him in. I punched him out with the Super Jumbo Marvy punch, then punched out a Giga scalloped circle from some retired SU designer paper to mat him with. The dark brown layer is stamped with the Studio G words "hang in there", and the light brown layer is stamped with the new Plaid background from CC Designs and some speckles. "Thinking of You" is a Studio G stamp, as well. My favorite part is the ribbon... for some reason it reminds me of a vine swinging in the breeze... (good imagination, huh??!)

Be sure to stop by tomorrow. I'll have a fun stash challenge to share with you!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Rummage Sale Here!!

Hello friends!

I have a few things in my stamping room that I would like to sell to make room for some new goodies. There are 15 SU classic ink pads going for $2.25 each; a Navy craft pad - $2.25; miscellaneous SU tag stamps, background stamps, and word stamps for $1-$2 each; and a set of Hero Arts shadow stamps for $8. I have the NeverEnding Joy set (minus 1 stamp cuz I lost it - $8) and Heartfelt Thanks set ($18) available, as well. Oh - and a few Studio G sets for 50 cents each. I'll probably ship priority flat rate - so $4.60 or $8.90... whichever it would fit in. If you're interested in pictures, please email me this weekend!! I tried to price them for less than they are going for on Ebay to give you a good deal, but I'm going to list whatever is left on Tuesday!

Hope to hear from you!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Today has been one of those thinking days. Every once in a while I need to take a day just to think and plan and reprioritize. Then, when I'm ready to go at life again, I have a plan that I can look back to. It's nice to get all the ideas in my head down on paper. I feel like I don't have to remember them anymore... as long as I don't lose the paper!! :)

I made this little ATC for a swap I'm in this month. I love the little puppy from the TAC set Pals. I especially love it cuz it's only $7.95!! Can't beat that!! The words are from the set Everyday Events, which was a must have set for me. I love the fact that it covers any occasion. The paper is from a TAC stack called Kaleidascope Girlz. It's so bright and cheery!!

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be posting some "rummage sale" sets and stamps and ink pads. If you're looking for some good deals, be sure to stop by!! Also, if you'd like to receive my TAC email newsletter and coupons, please email me or leave me a comment. That's another thing on my to-do list for tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!!


The most important love of my life is not my husband or my children (or stamping! lol) - if I had to give them all up, the one love I would have left is the love of God, shown through Jesus Christ who gave Himself for me to make a way back to God. I love the fact that The Angel Company has so many Scripture verses in their Signature Series of stamps. I found this one in a set called RagDolls, along with the little heart. The rest of the designer cardstock is from the Juliette Collection, and the actual card is from my Bazzill cardstock stack that I got from QVC. What a fabulous deal that was!! :) I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day celebrating with your family. It is a good thing to have a day set aside to show others that we love them, and don't just take them for granted. Enjoy your day!!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

TAC Valentine Special & Lots of Kisses!!

One more day until Valentine's Day... Are you ready??? :) I need to make sure I still have cards for my kids. I think I may have sent most of them to other people!! This altered frappe bottle... mmmmm, good, by the way!!... is decorated with some butterfly rub-on's that I got in a "summer stack" on sale sometime. A long time ago. I'm using things up, remember!! :) I filled it with chocolate kisses. Christmas ones actually, only we ate all the green ones in the bag to be sure that they weren't stale. :) It is such an easy gift!! I think I'll be saving frappe bottles this year to decorate for Christmas. (At least it's a good excuse to buy a pack of them every payday!!)

Now for the TAC valentine special!! If you place a $100 or more order by noon this Friday, February 15th, you'll not only receive your hostess benefits, but I will send you a free set as well!! I have two sets available to give away, so gather an order or two from a friend and give me a call or drop me an email!! Be sure to check out the February promotions at www.theangelcompany.net , too. There's a great deal on a cardstock collection with an exclusive limited time stamp set, a number of fabulous organizational sets, and the stamp of the month is adorable, as well!! :) Oh - and if you've been thinking about becoming an Angel yourself, this month you get all of the organizational stamps (about $80 worth) free!! Can you tell that I love this company???

Can't wait to hear from you!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

To the Big Cheese...


I will admit I'm not the world's most creative "out of the box" thinker, but I love how these little animals from CC Designs lend themselves to being many creatures. Penguins can be ducks, lovebirds can be bluebirds or cardinals, pigs can be cows, and monkeys.... can be mice!! LOL

I colored my "mouse" (really the hugging monkey from the Cc Designs Monkey Love set from All That Scraps) grey, and drew a piece of cheese on a scrap of banana cardstock. I colored them both with Prismacolors and OMS and cut them out to mount them. The background cardstock is from the Sands of Time collection by TAC. I even got to use my new Prima daisies and 1 1/4" punch (that I got for about $7.00 at Hobby Lobby's grand opening!!), along with the 1 3/8" and scallop punches from SU.

The card is for my husband, so on the envelope I'll put... To the Big Cheese. If this card inspires you to make an out of the box card, be sure to link me to it. I'd love to see it!!

Monday, February 11, 2008

More Juliette


Good morning, all! Did you have a nice weekend? I did - snow and all. We had friends here that we hadn't seen in months and it was wonderful. Isn't it nice to have friends that you can "pick right up where you left off" with?? So, I decided to make a friendship card with two of my new TAC sets, Everyday Events and Ragdolls, and my Juliette paper. The cardstock is Bazzill and the scallop punch is from SU. I colored with Prismacolors and OMS, and used my watercolor crayons to add the floor and a little color around the "friends".

I have a desk full of stamping to do today... ATC's to make for a swap, samples to make with my TAC things (Yay!!), CC Design stamps to play with, thank yous to make and send. Oh - and a house to get back in order from having company! I'd better go get busy!! :)

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Hugs!


I'm spending the day shopping and visiting with some dear friends who came for the weekend, but I wanted to give you one more sneak peek of the CC Design Set Monkey Love that will be available tonight at All That Scraps. Isn't he just adorable?? I probably won't get to post tomorrow, but watch on Monday for some "out of the box" thinking with this set.


The designer cardstock that I used is from the Juliette collection by TAC. The colors are rich and vibrant in real life. Somehow my camera didn't quite do them justice. They really are mouthwatering!!


Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs!! :)

Friday, February 08, 2008

Just Hanging Around...

I was SO glad that my monkeys came in today's mail!! I sat right down with them to whip up a "sneak peek" for you, and wasn't it fun??!!! I've been waiting for these stamps to use with this particular card from K&A Diecuts. The little hanging monkey fit perfectly! First I used one of CC Designs new Background Stamps - Plaid - on my cardfront, inked in Saffron. Then, I punched a scalloped circle with my pink punch - Giga, I think, and I used the negative to make a frame inside the open circle on the front of the card. After I stamped my Monkey in Palette Burnt Umber ink and colored him with markers and watercolor pencils, I used my watercolor crayons to add some leaves for him to play in and popped up a little heart from last month's release to add some color. I inked the sentiment with two markers and then cut it apart and mounted it on brown and green cardstock, popping up the word "hanging". Before I added my brads, I covered the inside of the front panel with a piece of banana cardstock, just so it looks nice inside and out. And there you have it!! :) Isn't he sweet!

"Monkey Love", from the newly renamed Itsie Inkies line from CC Designs, is mounted on thin black EZ mount and comes packaged in a CD case. It will be available - along with three Background stamps (plaid, hearts & dots!!) - tomorrow night at All That Scraps. Check it out!!


Thursday, February 07, 2008

Abundance Is...


Last month, during my blog browsing, I found a wonderful challenge on a few blogs that I frequent... Nancy Grant's in particular. On the 8th of each month these gals were going to post a scripture verse that had meant a lot to them the past month. They were to choose a format to display it, so at the end of the year they would have a remembrance of what the Lord had done in their lives over the past year. I was so glad to take their challenge. What a wonderful way to show you all what is truly the most important thing in my life, my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the time that I spend in His Word.

Since I've been using the Sidetracked Home Executive Card File this year to help me stay organized, my life is currently on 3x5 cards, so that's the format that I chose. That way I can keep the cards in my box during the year and then scrapbook them at the end of the year.

This year, the "word" that I chose was satisfied. So I chose that theme for my verses as well. I used the set More Abundance from TAC, and my new Amberley Grace cardstock (also TAC) because I love its classy, vintage colors and feel. I have a feeling that cardstock pack will become a staple in my collection. At least until I find a new favorite! :)

My verse is special to me because it is so easy for me to become greedy when I browse around in the stamping world. Greedy of the new sets, new accessories, new papers, Copics, nestabilities, even other people's resumes! Sometimes I forget why I started to papercraft in the first place. To preserve my memories, to be creative and to bless others. How am I doing on the things that really matter??

Now, you may be asking why I posted today, rather than on the 8th.... This was such an important post to me that I wanted to be sure it got top billing. Because tomorrow, if all goes well, I should have the new monkeys from CC Designs to share with you!!! :) In the meantime you can check out the All That Scraps gallery to see some sneak peaks from some of the other Design Team members.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow!!!!

"It won't be long until we'll all be there with snow.....snow.... I want to wash my hands, my face, my hair with snow...." Ahhh.... shades of White Christmas... We're in the middle of a big, big snowstorm here - supposedly we'll have about 18 inches when all is said and done. I'm planning to get a lot done this morning and then sit and watch a movie and cross stitch for most of the afternoon. Doesn't that sound wonderful?? I love snow... when I don't have to go out in it. I'm hoping the mail will still come, though. I'm waiting on my stamps from CC Designs.... I can't wait to get my hands on them and give you some "sneak peeks" before they're released on Saturday!! BTW, have you checked out the All That Scraps website lately?? There's wonderful sales and even a drawing for a Giga or Mega punch!! Check it out!!

Well... since it's yucky outside, I think I'll leave you with a cheery card to brighten your day inside...
Have a great day!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

TAC Sample Pack - Check it out!!


Super quick and so pretty! I whipped up this card in just a few minutes using my new Amberley Grace designer cardstock from TAC. Isn't it just mouthwatering? Be sure to keep reading to see how you can get to see some in person!! The bird and sentiment are both from TAC and are stamped in Burnt Umber Palette Ink (have I told you how much I like Palette ink?? It stamps beautifully!), and there are a few smoky blue brads to finish it off.
I've been playing with my new things all morning and am becoming more and more excited about what TAC has to offer. So here's an offer for you. I know that many of you may not have ever seen what TAC up close and personal, or that it's been a number of years and you haven't seen their beautiful new exclusive papers, so in lieu of my normal monthly card kit this month, I'd like to offer you a "TAC Sample Pack" that will include a stamped card, a TAC stamp, and a 3x3" swatch of each design from two of our Soar With It Cardstock Collections, Amberley Grace and Juliette. You'll be able to use the designer cardstock to make a number of 3x3 cards, and you'll get to try out a TAC stamp to see what you've been missing. :) If you don't have an acrylic block, never fear! Your EZ mounted stamp will stick to the label side of any wood mounted stamp in a pinch. The cost for the sample pack will be $4.00 and will include shipping. If you'd like me to send a catalog with your sample pack, the cost will be $10 including shipping, and you'll receive a coupon for $5.00 off your first $25.00 order. (If you add $5.00 to that $25 order you'll get a free gift with purchase stamp. Pretty great, huh??!) Just send me an email to tjtrax @ yahoo dot com telling me if you prefer solid stamps or open designs, and if you'd like the catalog or not, and I'll send your Paypal invoice right out. Your catalog and/or sample pack will go out as soon as the snow stops... I think we're expecting upwards of 15"! Yikes!!
Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to hear from you!

Monday, February 04, 2008

I'm an Angel!

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, and once again, oh wow!!! :) I just opened my demonstrator starter kit box from TAC and just look at all the fun things that I have to play with! Can you believe that it was only $150?? (Plus shipping & tax, of course...) Look at all those stamp sets and the markers and ink and cardstock and chipboard and blocks and business supplies!! I'm going to have so much fun playing tomorrow!!! :) One of the neatest things are the four organizational sets that I got for signing up as an angel in February. You can see them here. I am such an organizing paradox. I love to have things organized, but I really am not always sure how to do it. Well, TAC sent a getting started list to help new Angels organize... and I got the fantastic stamp sets to help me!! Better yet, I got all four of the sets *free*!!!! (That's close to an $80 value!) I am so excited about this company. I share the values that they are built on, I love the other Angels that I've been privileged to meet, and I can't wait to share this all with you. If you've already contacted me about getting a catalog, I'll be getting them in the mail by the weekend, and if this picture has made you curious about becoming an Angel yourself, please feel free to contact me!! :)

'Til tomorrow!



Gina K Field Trip

Hi everyone! I'm back from a busy, busy few days, so I have a whole bunch of pictures for you today! Yay!! Saturday, I took a field trip over to Gina K's store in McFarland... in the snow... got stuck in traffic... it took an hour to go 2 miles... etc., etc. But, once I got there I had so much fun! I had saved up to get one of the cool bottles for my odorless mineral spirits, and of course I had to add a few more things to make the trip worth it!! I picked up Gina's newest Stamp for a Cause set, Sweet on You, which supports Diabetes research. I have a SIL with Diabetes and I really wanted to get this set to support the cause. I also picked up this adorable K&Co paper pack, some brads, a Palette ink pad that I *just love*! (Which is so cool, since that is what TAC sells... {off topic - My kit should be here today or tomorrow!!!!! Who wants a catalog????!!!}) and I got my first bottle of Prima daisies... so you'll see them on almost every card. :) What can I say. I'm trying not to hoard.

The cards that I made all use basically the same supplies. White watercolor cardstock, my Brenda Walton K&Co paper, Moss & Banana Cardstock, mini brads, Burnt Umber Palette Ink, Prismacolor pencils and OMS, and my Primas. :) Let me know if you'd like any more details on any of them!

See you tomorrow!