Get Your Michael's Coupons here

Click on the title for a coupon site.

Make Your Own Glue Dots

Cut up sticks of glue made to go in a hot glue gun into tiny pieces and store in a container. When you are ready, set the piece on the card, heat with your heat gun until gooey and voila! you have a glue dot!

Link To My Old Blog

Click on the title of this post to go to my old blog. There are 300 pictures of cards, storage ideas, and tips located there.

Broomzelda #1

Source of stamp is Penny Black. I used a white gel pen (www.jetpens.com) for the writing. I cut the candy out of designer paper. Whew--won't do that again, LOL!

Broomzelda #2

Main stamp is Penny Black. I used a bit of cotton batting for the white clouds.

Creative Idea of the Week

Some people think of everything. I would never have come up with this in a million years. Click on the title of this post and it will take you to the most adorable idea.

Calendar #1

Both of these (see following post) were made with coasters and my Bind It All. The calendar is a download from A Muse for $4 and the proceeds go to research for leukemia. I stamped each page with something appropriate to the season. This one is decorated with SU Bela Rose Paper and the punch is from Martha Stewart.

Bind It All Calendar #2

My son, who is completing a degree to be a librarian, asked me to make one with this owl for him. He also loves this paper!

Lavender Limbs

Stamps by Papertrey and punch by Martha Stewart.

Heartfelt Trio

Direct to Stamp

I colored with my markers directly on my Penny Black Iris stamp and then lightly misted it with a fine mist of water before stamping. The background is Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots folder.

Paper Napkin Transfer Technique

Click on the title of this post and it will take you to a really cool tutorial. I used to do this with freezer wrap, but it did not stick well. This works so much better!

Cupcake

Stamp sources unknown.

Coupons to All the Main Craft Stores

Click the title for coupons to Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, Michaels', JoAnn and more.

Little Red Wagon

Stamps by Pink Persimmon. This set is called Little Red Wagon. If you have not tried their clear stamps, I can vouch for the fact that they are high quaility.

Best Black Ink Test You Have Ever Seen!

Click on the title of this post for the results.

Home for the Holidays with PTI

My first Christmas card this year. I just got PTI's Boards and Beams and the add-on Holiday set. This was WORK!! Fun work, but work. There are 12 different elements each colored and attached separately, not including the sentiment! The ribbon is from All That Scraps.

If You Love the Twilight book series-----

you have got to click on the title of this post to be taken to an "Edward" card that will crack you up!

Acetate Background

My transparency is kind of flimsy (Jacki is sending me a Hero Arts one to try) but I had fun doing this anyway. The background is rolled with black Stazon. Yesterday was some sort of pirate thingy day--I know real technical terms here, so I added an eye patch. I got the stamp for $1 years ago in a sale bin. The sentiment is done with a label maker.

Home for the Holidays with PTI

I got Boards and Beams and the add-on set called Home for the Holidays. I can see this set being used for many seasons and holidays. It is another fun one to play with!

Hanna Teacher Stamps

Two Thumbs Up for PTI's Embossing Powder

My gold EP from PTI came today and after 13 years of stamping I will say that this gold EP is the BEST I have ever used. The color is pure and really a nice gold. It is a detail powder that really covers and melts into the smoothest embossing I have ever seen!

Giving Crafting Supplies to Hurricane Victims

I have had 9 emails in the last 48 hours in response to my suggestion on a crafting board that some might want to send crafting supplies to hurricane victims who lost all of their supplies.

I am going to answer some of the comments/questions here:

Q-Why send stamps and "toys" when these people need food and water?

A-I am assuming food and water is getting to them through agencies. I think sending grocery store gift certificates could be helpful if you know what chain grocers are in their area. I am focusing on stamping things for 2 reasons: 1-insurance probably won't begin to replace and 2-everyone can use a little joy while trying to get through a surival experience.

Q-What if this is a scam?

A-Then they are going to end up with crafting supplies, LOL! The lady I found has a blog, a long standing blog, showing her creations and her crafting room. She would have had to go to a lot of work to fake being a crafter in order for someone to feel sorry and send her craft supplies. Why would a non-crafter do a scam like that? Besides, she never ASKED for a thing. I saw her sorrow over her losses and wanted to help some. It helps me too and helps me be the kind of person I want to be. If she ends up being a scammer, it is on her, and it won't change my life.

Q-How can I help this lady?

A- Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net and I will be glad to pass on her address as well as her blog addy so you can "get to know her" a bit. I have her permission to give the address of where she is staying.

Q-Why not give to the Red Cross instead?

A-Well, personally I like my donations to go directly to a person and not be watered down by having some of it used for administrative costs. I have a friend who had a bad experience with Red Cross years ago that has made me not donate to them. I also think there are things in life almost as important as necessities because they help us get through emotionally. My stamping has gotten me through some very, very difficult emotional things.

Q-Don't you think you are too trusting?

A-It is a choice I have made. I never put myself at risk. If you remember, I work in a jail. There should be no one more skeptical than I am about the possibility of being "taken". I have chosen not to live that way and not to be suspcious. When there are red flags I pay attention, but I continue to choose to take people at face value unless I am shown they are not what they say. I work from the old adage that people are good for the most part and until I see they are otherwise I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Assuming people are dishonest and waiting until they prove otherwise is not a way I wish to live. If I get "taken" in a situation like sending crafting supplies, I am not seriously hurt in any way. It is a risk I will choose to take.

Q-What will you be sending?

A-A friend who is a vendor has offered on the GW board to send gift certificates from people who donate and to add a bit to the certificate from her end too. If you are interested in that, check out the GW board for the details of how to do that or contact Cherylynn at 2ndchildhoodstore.com for the details. I personally have a huge box of basics that I will be sending out on Friday.

Q-Why send something to a stranger?

A- I strongly believe in Pay It Forward. I have been the recipient of so many wonderful things for my students from crafters that I want to pass along the kindness. It makes US better people, IMO.

If you are interested as to why I won't give to the Red Cross, click the title of this post to go to an article that explains about this organization.

Another One Kind of Like the Other One

I know the title of this post sounds goofy. It is something my dad used to say and I won't bother to explain it. You had to be there, LOL!

Anyway, you will notice that this is a green version of the blue one I posted a few days back.

Cuttlebug Meets Primas

I did this with my Cuttlebug and then used Versamark on the raised places. Then I used some Jade Pearl-Ex to chalk.
Sentiment is by Papertrey.

Verve Flowers in Pastel Colors

Baby Bunny

This is from SU's set, "A New Little Someone". The folder is done with Cuttlebug using the smoosh technique where you put the ink inside the folder and then emboss.

10 Club Card

Sentiment from Papertrey. Everything else is SU.

Vintage Post

This is from an old SU set that is retired. It was called Vintage something, but I cannot find the complete title in my old catalogs. The paper is Stella Ruby Basic Grey from the 6 x 6 pad. I am getting into the faux button look done by punching matching paper and matting on a circle. Border punch is Fiskars Threading Water.

I Need Help from Someone Who Owns the Square Scallop Nesties

Is it the large or the small set that cuts a 1 3/8" (wide, not diameter) square scallop? I want to use my nesties in conjunction with the SU scallop stamps as seen on page 17 and 125 of the SU catty and don't know which set of square scallops to buy. Email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net Thanks so much.

Basal Reader Stamps

I love this Pink Persimmon set called Little Red Wagon. I am a teacher and I love the old basal reader pictures and these remind me of them!

Michael's 50% off COUPON!

Click the title of this post to get a printable coupon!

My Other Blog (juvenile detention teacher)

Several have asked again for my other blog about my teaching in juvenile detention. Contact me at rubyslippers@neofast.net and I will be glad to share it with you.

Blue Duet

The image is called Duet from Inkadinkado. Background is a piece of blue DCVW white core Bazille type cardstock from JoAnn. Run it through the Cuttlebug and then sand until some white shows through. Ribbon from Walmart. This is colored with watercolor crayons.

Become One of My "Followers" LOL!

See the link on the left to have your name added! It may also bring traffic to your blog too!

My Hints for Creating a Stamp Room

1-If you get corner cupboards, do NOT put in the lazy susan inserts as it wastes way too much storage space.

2-Rolled edges on your laminate countertops are more than worth it. When doing repetetive work the squared corners can rub against your wrists making blisters. Also they just look so nice.

3-Buy drawers that hold at least 40 pounds weight each. I love the soft close feature and the rollers that allow the drawer to come entirely out the the end of the frame so that even the back is easy to access.

4-Buy good lighting.

5-Put in LOTS of outlets--way more than you think you could possibly need.

6-Counter height for some of your surfaces will save your back and your neck.

7-Quality is worth the extra $.

8-LOVE my Pergo floor and I have already spilled permanent ink twice and it literally wiped up with a single baby wipe.

9-Make the walls a cheery color but one that won't cast odd color on your work. My friend has an olive green room and everything in that room looks a bit green.

10-Consider where computer/TV/stereo needs to go and then work around that.

11- Put handles that are easy to grab, even with damp hands, on all cabinetry.

12-Think about where you will do your cutting, where your trash will go, and what items need to be right near you.

Michael's Coupon Good to 12/15

Click the title of this post to print coupon.

Welcome Home Basket

I made this basket containing a bound book, wrapped candies, a candle, a tin of note cards, and a packet of greeting cards for a friend who is finally coming home after a very long year filled with some horrific experiences. I cannot wait for her to be home and safe again.

Hooked on that Bela Rose

Just had to order more of this SU cardstock. I cannot get enough of it. The sentiment is SU Heard from the Heart and it is on sale right now with SU. Ribbon is Papertrey. Punch is Martha Stewart and I got it at Walmart.

I am SO Honored!

My friend, Gracie, at Everything Cricut has made my day. Click on the title of this post to see why!

Bind It All Meets Bela Rose

This is the first of 9 photos of a book I created with the Bind-It-All and Bela Rose Paper (SU). All Ribbon is Papertrey. The monogram on the front is a Martha Stewart Alphabet stamp. All stickers used inside are Penny Black. I have discovered that SU Ruby Red and Papertrey Blush match the Bela paper almost perfectly. The lace punch is Martha Stewart and I also used the Fiskars Threading Water punch here and there too. My Nesties sure came in handy, also.

More photos of the pages on the blog.

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

Blue Lady

Stamps by Papertrey.

Stampin' Up Mini Holiday Catalog

Click the link of this post for the download. LOTS of stuff. Really, really cute stuff.

Cricut Bee Card

Cuttlebugged Brilliance

I cuttlebugged a piece of cardstock and then painted the raised areas with Brilliance reinkers. I will make it into a complete card later.

Cherry Sweetie Pie

Stamps by Papertrey.

Product Review-Fantasy Film

I just had to try this product and I am impressed. You have to follow the directions carefully and it does take a hot iron to use this product. I got my Fantasy Film at All That Scraps. It is inexpensive considering you get quite a bit. Fun to work with. I can see myself using it on snowy images too.

Argyle Owl

I love this background paper. Owl is Papertrey and the branch is CHF from the Kim Hughes owl set.

Sissex-Ellison Texture Plates For Sale

12 Sides/6 Ellison-Sissex 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.

These say Ellison on them but are identical to a set of Sissex Texture Plates. Seems the company was combined in 2006 and this explains duplicate products but with different names on them.
I thought I had these sold, but the check never arrived and so I am putting them up again.

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

What a Cool Discovery!

This drawer was a false front and my husband constructed the drawer for me. Tonight, accidentally, I discovered that my new Scor-Pal fits on top exactly and snugly. There are things in the drawer under the Scor-Pal. Then the drawer closes just like that with it in position without moving a bit. Just glides right in. How cool is that? Kind of like a cutting board made to go on a drawer.

BTW, I don't know how I lived without the Scor-Pal. I am really loving it. I got it from Cherylynn at 2ndChildhood.com

CC Designs Monkey

I have made so many cards with this adorable little guy. Got him from All That Scraps.