Mum Made with SU 5 Petal Punch

I am seeing these all over blogs. They are time consuming to make but fun. The inner pink level is the 5 petal punch and then the next layers are done by punching several flowers, cutting petals apart and then positioning behind. I CASEd this one from a combination of about 5 I saw in various places. The pink layer done right behind the flower was made with a baggie filled with rice and pounced on an ink pad and then on cardstock. Ribbon from Walmart. This particular card was mainly inspired by lwdesigns.

I Give Shimmerz an A+++

I had a gift burning a hole in my pocket so I ordered 5 different colors of Shimmerz from All That Scraps. These things are fantastic!! They have as much shimmer as the old Radiant Pearls product--maybe more, and they blend well. The best thing of all is they dry really fast. Wet just long enough to blend and then dry. On this sample I used Apricot, Royal Red, a hint of Burgandy, and a hint of Summer Wheat here and there. The black color called Coal is fabulous!!

I Cuttlebugged this and used Versamark and green chalk on the leaves and stems. I hope the picture shows the shimmer!

BTW, these paints are 15% off this weekend at Jacksonbelle Embellishments at jacksonbelleembellishments.com/. I can vouch for their fast and excellent service, too~

Let's Inundate this Man with Handmade Cards

I saw this on GW board this AM and completely agree! Please join us in sending cards to this man!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
: Subject: Chuck Bell our local NBC News Weather Dude

: Hello all my creative friends,

: Meet Chuck Bell - he's the early morning weather dude on Channel 4 news many
: weekdays. The other day there was a story about how mail has reduced so
: much that the US Post Office is removing some neighborhood mail boxes -
: keeping only one per mile.

: When they went to the weather just after that story, Chuck made the comment
: that he loves to send cards to friends and family and that he really wants
: regular mail to stay around because the card artists are so important to
: him!

: (You gotta love that! I say we send him some cards to thank you for the shout out! Info is below if you want to send him a little something. I'm sure it'll surprise him. Let's give a little RAK to the weather dude.)

: News4 WRC-TV4

: Attn: Chuck Bell
: 4001 Nebraska Avenue, N.W.
: Washington, D.C. 20016

Product Review-Desktop Carousel

This product by Making Memories is one I got on sale for 30% off at Craft Warehouse a few weeks ago. I was a big fan of the Pampered Chef Tool Holder and although I loved the look and size of this one, as well as all the little compartments, I had held off buying it. When it went on sale and my new craft room was complete, I decided it was a needed item. I am so glad I got it. This one turns so easily, holds such a huge amount for taking up a reasonable sized space on my counter. It holds all my acrylic blocks and I put the little ones in the drawers. It is well made and I am quite pleased with it. I see they are available at Michael's too!

Michael's Coupon Saga

Click the title of this post and it will take you to a blog where there are several posts concerning the Michael's 40% off entire purchase coupon. I have used it twice and have been told that it is not only valid, but that clerks have been told not to question it.
I linked the coupon earlier in my blog and it is still there.

Different Colors

Very similar to the blue and yellow card I posted recently. Just used different colors for the most part.

Faux Pleat

Simply fold the paper, pierce it, and run a marker along the holes for a pleated look. The stamps are from an old SU mini set that had 50's looking dress patterns, called Pattern of Friendship.

Cards with Sentiments

Back in June I needed a gift for someone who likes my cards. I made cards and did not attach the sentiments. The sentiments are interchangeable so she can choose the card and then attach the appropriate sentiment. The back of each sentiment has a piece of thin sticky foam with the protective paper still on it.

Inkadinkadoo Duet Birds

Texture Plates for Sale

12 Sides/6 Ellison Texture Plates. This set has Funky Squares, Argyle, Weave #1, Weave #2, Paisley, Daisies, Lines n' Circles, Squares in Motion, Circle Cyclone, Circles, Diamonds, and Squares. $15 for the set plus $5 shipping.

Insurance optional. Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net if you are interested.

Save the Backing on Your NEW SU stamps

Click the title of this post to see why!

Kitchen Sink Flowers

Another Sample H20's on Acetate

Here is another sample similar to one I posted earlier. I used white Stazon with an old SU stamp for the outline.

Painting on Acetate with H20's!

You can paint with H20's on acetate and it works beautifully! I am doing this on transparencies and as long as you don't use too much water (that will cause beading) you can get a beautiful result! Sentiment is from Eureka (thanks Sarah--Sarosa). I bought them years ago.

Key to Abbreviations

I have had 2 emails in the last month asking for a key to my abbreviations so here they are:

MFT-My Favorite Things
SU-Stampin' Up
GW-Gingerwood Board
KS-Kitchen Sink Stamps
PP-Pink Persimmon
PTI-Papertrey Ink
PCS-Pink Cat Studio
CHF-Cornish Heritage Farms
CB-Cuttlebug
Nesties-Spellbinder Nestability Dies
BG-Basic Grey

I will add more if I think of more or if people have questions.

Hit the Beach!

MFT set done with watercolor crayons.

Favorite Stamps/Accessories Combo

This card contains so many elements of things I really like. The bee and the owl from The bee, owl, and flowers from various Papertrey sets, the leaves from an SU set, the vellum run through the Swiss Dots CB folder and then the center cut out with an oval Nestie. I watercolored the owl with Caran d'Arche watercolor crayons. This was fun card to make.

Cuttlebug Folders and Dies FOR SALE!

I have 7 small Cuttlebug dies and 9 small Cuttlebug embossing folders (quite a varied lot) for sale. $12 for the whole bunch plus $3 shipping. Insurance optional and extra. Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net if you are interested.

40% off your ENTIRE Micheal's Purchase!!!!!

Click on the title for this coupon!

Stamp Room Finishing Touches

The baseboard is all in, the handles are all on, and yesterday my husband built a drawer behind what was a false front on the lower corner cupboard. On top of all that, I am even keeping it clean, but stamping up a storm. It really does make stamping so much easier not to have to dig for things and to have so much lovely counter space.

CLICK on the picture for a close up of details in the room!!!

Pink Cat Studio Owl

Stamp is from Pink Cat Studio. The set that this stamp in is so cute. The sentiment is a rub-on.

Sweets!

I used the old SU roller with chocolate chips on it. There rest is done with punches, Nesties, and a cuttlebug!

Pulling For You

Stamps by SU. Ribbon by Papertrey. Border punch by Martha Stewart.

Love this Color Combo!

All stamps by SU. I made several of this card in different colors but I think this is my favorite!

Martha Stewart Bird

I got this stamp a long time ago and love it. The background is done with CHF weave and SU cherries from a hostess set from long ago, and the border is a Fiskars embossing punch.

Popsicle Penguin

My dear GW friend, Elaine, knew I wanted this little guy so she picked him up in a store for me and surprised me with the stamp. I have had so much fun with him! He is a clear stamp.

What Do You Think of the New SU Catalog?

Several readers are saying they would like me to review the new catalog, so here goes.

I love the new cover and I think the scalloped edge is really nice.

I had heard there was not that much that was new, but either I don't remember lots of things or there really was more new than I expected.

The prices are up on the new sets. All the new sets are die-cut and that may be the reason they are so much pricier than I expected.

Yes, I do like the Sock Monkey, but not sure I will buy it. It is only the monkey that I would need, since I have plenty of stamps that would make good "accessories" to begin with. I don't think I can justify nearly $30 for that single monkey stamp (after shipping and taxes too).

I ordered "Heard from the Heart" and the reason is that I love the size and font of these sentiments. That they were 15% off kind of pushed me over the edge as I had intended to wait on those.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE some of the new designer papers. I had promised myself to quit buying paper but the Bella Rose and Holiday Treats sets were just too wonderful. Our demo had the Bella Rose papers displayed as well as some cards made with them and the vintage look, pretty colors, and coordinating papers are just the style I cannot get enough of lately. They are so good I am hardly going to be able to cut into them! Holiday Treats looked almost as good and so I succumbed!

The new colors did not thrill me to death, but I can see myself using the red and the pink, although the colors are very close to Ruby Red (new one just a little more intense) and the pink one is very close to PTI Blush. I will probably get a pack of each though because they go with the Bella Rose. I liked the Pacific Point. It is new and different and perfect for masculine cards. I do lots of ocean theme cards and it is an ocean kind of color.

I am anxious to see the die cut options coming out.

Some of the wheels are appealing and I continue to consider them a very cost effective way to stamp.

I will be ordering more Fresh Cut notes. Too cute and I will use them regularly.

The Classified background stamp intrigues me and I can think of a few ways to use it. I don't really care for what is written on it but I like how it looks from an artistic standpoint. I think you could highlight things on it to make a card.

I think I liked this catalog a bit more than last year. There are some sets I am drawn to, but the prices are a bit off-putting considering they are wood and clear is SO much less expensive these days. I also won't buy 2-3 step stamps anymore unless they are clear.

As always there are some images that are nice enough that I just swallow the cost, rip them off the wood, and use them!

I think SU's decision to bring die cutting into the mix was a good one. They need to pay attention to what we stampers are doing and provide options and I felt that this year they kicked it up a notch. I am still amazed they have not gone unmounted or even clear. I think their competition are taking a market share in this area that SU stampers would love to see available through SU.

Blue Owl

Stamps: Papertrey
Cardstock: SU and misc.
Ribbon: Papertrey
Punch: Fiskars Treading Water
Accessories: Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder
Ink: SU Cool Carribean, Palette Noir, Marvy Yellow Orange

Seaside Girl

This is done with retired SU stamps. The background is SU Paisley.

Oh, Fudge!

Stamps are MFT. I put the sparkle on the ice cream with clear Stickles.

I Have Discovered Hanna Stamps

I have seen this brand of stamps a few times, but did not order any. When they came out with this teacher set I could not hold out any longer. Being a teacher who makes many teacher cards for teacher friends, I could not pass up this adorable teacher set.

I also want to let my readers know that they shipped very quickly and are good quality clear stamps at a reasonable price.

Sentiments are SU and MFT.

Another Hanna Teacher Card

This stamp set is so much fun to play with! I think the teacher stamp is really cute. The wall is striped with a Hero Arts stripe stamp and the background is Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. Italian Scrittura Verticale 1002-L (Thanks to reader Karen for that information on the source of that stamp).

If this were a music teacher it would be quite easy to make a baton out of the ruler I put in her hand.

Inspired Layout Hanna Card

This is a popular layout and I saw a Hanna card somewhere that inspired this one. Background is Cuttlebugged and then brayered with white ink. Ribbon is from JoAnn.

A Favorite Quote Stamp

I do not remember the source of the quote, but I think it is a very true statement. The rest of the stamps are SU. I think I CASEd this card or maybe I dreamed it, LOL!

Pink Verve

All stamps by Verve Visual.

Pretty Blog

If you love a truly pretty blog with lots of flowers and butterflies, sparkle and gold highlights, click on the title of this post to go to Jerri Kay's blog. Gorgeous stuff!

Selective CB Embossing Photo #1

Next photo shows the rubber frame and tells how to do this. You can remove the lightly unintended embossed edges by rubbing with a bone folder on a flat surface.

Selective CB Embossing Photo #2

I got 8 x 11 sheets of rubber gasket that are identical thickness to Cuttlebug B plates at Home Depot. You can cut these and make frames, strips, shapes, etc. and use them to selectively emboss. Simply use the piece of rubber in place of ONE B plate. I made this Swiss Dotted Frame and the center is completely unembossed. I could have stamped right in the flat center and had the raised frame around it, but I wanted to use this little bird that I had already stamped on the oval. The bird stamp is called Duet from Inkadinkado. It is a wood mounted stamp---one of the very rare ones I buy these days, but this image was just too cute to pass up.

Another CD Box

I made this one for my mom. She wanted pictures of the flowers in her yard in her cube. The tutorial is linked with my earlier posts showing the yellow one of these I made for my stamp room. Fun to make!

SU Cattys are Spiral Bound

Wonderful and about time. Other companies have been doing this for a long time. I was just sent a picture of the new spiral bound one and will post it when I get permission from the person who sent it to me. Way to go, SU! Customers have been asking for this for a long time and apparently they listened!

CORRECTION: I just received word that only the demos get the spiral bound ones. I guess CTMH and a couple of others are the only ones still doing this for customers. Too bad.

A Hot Summer Day

Everything is colored with watercolor crayons and I added Crystal Effects to the glass.

Handles for My New Cabinets

Answering Questions about My New Craft Room

People have asked for sources:

Paint: Behr from Home Depot in a custom mixed yellow.
Flooring: Pergo in Virginia Walnut from Home Depot
Counters: Wilson Art with rolled edges purchased at Home Depot. They are NOT solid black as they appear in some photos. They are a very dark gray with blakc and beige speckles.
Cabinets: KraftMaid from Home Depot (priced them a Lowe's but they were considerably more there).
Chair: from Staples
Nestie Storage: Magnetic vent covers from Bed, Bath, and Beyond attached with Velcro tape from JoAnn

Q- Is there anything I would do differently or would absolutely do again?

A-I cannot think of anything I would change. I was disappointed that we could not get a drawer for the lower corner cabinet, but my husband is going to build me one himself. I would absolutely go with the yellow walls again in this soft yellow. I live in an area with a very gray winter and learned several years ago that painting my bedroom yellow made things seem so much brighter and cheerier without being too much. Love the flooring, but have become a complusive dust mopper---just my own desire. I am very glad I paid more the for better counter tops. They look wonderful, wipe down nicely, and I love the rolled edge fronts. The cabinets are extremely well made in every way. My husband is a very particular carpenter and even he thinks they are outstanding quality and workmanship. I love the silent close drawer feature that is now standard on this brand. I bought the right amount--not too crowded, but with plenty of storage in the right dimensions for my needs. I am very thrilled that I went with the 34" cabinets along one wall. I love standing there to work and my kitchen bar stools are perfect if I want to have people over to stamp and use that area while seated. I LOVE all the counter space. It really does make stamping more fun if you are not bunched up with supplies on top of you, LOL! I also appreciate several of you who suggested to forgo the lazy susan feature for the corner cabinets. It has given me about double-plus the space I would have had and I just put seldom used items way in the back and keep a little flashlight down there to help see what is there.

Showcase Blog of the Week!

Thanks you Saige at www.everythingcricut.com for presenting me with this honor!! Click the title of this post and it will take you right to Saige's blog. Thank you Saige, for the very kind words about my work!! You will need to scroll down a ways to see it.

Beach Lady

I do not remember the brand of the stamp.

Stamping Stuff for Sale!!

I have another large Flat Rate Priority box full of miscellaneous stamping supplies for $35. The box contains stamps--some new, ribbon, designer papers, and a hodge podge of goodies, etc. It is worth many times the $35. Add $9.25 for shipping and insurance is optional. email me if interested at rubyslippers@neofast.net

No Cuttlebug Folder Lines with Borders!!

Click on the title of this post and it will take you right to Jay's blog. She has figured out an ingenious way to prevent those annoying CB folder lines with the border folders!

My Blog Featured Here!

Click the title above and then scroll down and you will see that my Nestie idea on my blog got featured at Everything Cricut!!

PTI Meets Cricut

I used my Papertrey Ink bee set and the hive from the Cricut to make this card. Ribbon is from JoAnn.

Work Area

We still need handles on drawers, baseboard, etc. and will finish that this weekend, but I just could not wait to post the mostly finished pictures. The next 12 pictures are of my new stamp room!

Computer Area

Flooring

Virginia Walnut Pergo. We still need to get the baseboards done, along with the cupboard toeboards.

Nestability Storage

These are magnetic vent covers purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $9.99 for 3. They are attached to the door with velcro tape (thanks for the ideas GW friends!).

Shelving for Ribbon Jars

4 Drawers for CD stamp storage

3 Drawers for Marker Storage

6 File Drawers for Cardstock Storage

CB and Cricut Work Area

Mary E. picture above desk

More Mary Englebrite