Paper Tango

Birthday Girl!

2011-10-01T02:00:00.000-04:00

Happy 1st birthday, Avanelle. Live long and prosper.

Nuttin' Honey

2011-08-04T03:35:00.000-04:00

Nothing to report other than the humidity is taking a toll on my paper. I will get back to cards when the summer chores are done and the paper cutter doesn't have a fit going thru card stock. But I might make a stamp show this weekend! Knee, please cooperate!

Scrap Tales of Brighton Is Closing

2011-07-14T00:43:00.000-04:00

Sadly the Michigan economy sucked the life out of another local artsy/crafty store. The sale starts today July 14 and continues thru August 7. For info, check the Scrap Tales site for any updates as the sale begins at 20% off. Shop early for best selections. I hope to make a trip this weekend, as I totally missed the Scrapbook Zone closing due to a horrible viral thing last month.

This store is about an hour from me and I tried to make a visit every quarter or so, but when the store was sold a while back, I found I wasn't making a visit quite as often. My style and wants have changed over the last two or three years and I have long ago gravitated toward stamping instead of scrapbooking. I think other paper crafters are finding the same dilemma and either were stamping or scrapping. The stamping supplies got thinner at Scrap Tales and less diverse after the new owners took over, so I got my fix elsewhere. I did take a few classes here and they were quite extraordinary as this example will show.

I don't even want to speculate on who is next to go, but I have the feeling we are not done with losing the crafty comforts of Michigan.

Please Excuse My Blog

2011-06-27T21:51:00.002-04:00

I did a code edit and screwed it up. I don't have time to fix it right now. Maybe never. So just ignore me.

Sigh-Destination Marysville Is Also Closing.

2011-05-14T18:56:00.001-04:00

I have never been to this store. It has been open less than two years and will be closing May 28, 2011. Another piece of the Michigan economy gone to hell. Click the link for address etc. Honestly, I don't think I even know where Marysville is. But a Google map will help you if you want to hit the final sale days. Sigh.

Scrapbook Zone Closing.

2011-05-14T17:50:00.001-04:00

This is one store I didn't think I would ever have to list under closing or closed. I have always loved this store in Farmington Hills. I preferred the older location because it was easier for me to get to off the multiple freeways I had to take to get there. Plus added benefit was a Panera across the street!

The Scrapbook Zone had more cardstock colors than any store I had ever been to. I have visited many a store that had the basics or professed to have the most cardstock but the Zone had every color imaginable and if you couldn't find something to match, the color didn't exist. There was always a cool stamp at 40% off each month and the most incredible examples up for viewing of art that employees and customers had made. I still remember someone "borrowing" an heirloom scrapbook someone made and I never did find out if it was returned.

But the oddest shopping night in the store, they were shop lifted. This very well dressed woman kept trolling the aisles and I thought she was weird but so are many people Then the cops show up. Yeah, that was a fun trip, and the last one I actually took on my own before hubby retired. I am going to miss this store and now have absolutely no reason to visit the area. I am at the point where I say "why bother to leave the house"? All my former haunts are going away.

I'll Be Back

2011-04-14T07:12:00.001-04:00

If you haven't noticed, I don't have much up here lately. I am taking a long break while I weave some other items in my head. I have cards almost finished, as I color them when I have some time. Photographing them is the problem. I just like the way they look outside in natural light. It's still sort of cold and damp and often windy here, so I am still in partial hibernation.

But something neat came my way. No ink is involved altho sometimes paper is. I have begun writing restaurant reviews for the local newspaper's web site. I work on them when I can, often editing into the wee hours. Then they have to pass muster with a real editor. That is the part I personally don't like. Reasons starting with I think, they get dumbed down, as if readers can't decipher a word over 4 letters. But it's a byline. I pay for the food, I don't get paid for the review. I will use this experience for the better. Plus my photos look better than the food actually tastes at times. You can read some of the reviews HERE or my intact reviews here with photos. I did notice this evening that at least one of my published reviews on the paper's site is missing. Maybe the eatery kicked up a fuss? I never trash a place but will say it like it is.

Come back here in a few weeks and maybe I will have some new inky stuff up. And who knows, the otherness might just be published on my blog. At least I am the only censor there.

Want To Learn Distress Ink Watercoloring? For Free?

2011-02-10T06:24:00.001-05:00

Of course you do! The incredible colors you get from using Tim Holtz Distress Distress Inks to color your images will knock your socks off. These inks especially come in handy with the Magnolia images and getting correct skin colors. I have personally been wanting to learn the right way to do this type of water coloring and have been watching You Tube videos with foreign languages I don't understand. Ethnic skin is the hardest altho I thought I had a good thing going with my Prismacolors UNTIL I saw the images done with Distress Inks. One of my favorite bloggers Ying Pang used Distress inks on this card.

Well now YOU can take a class to learn the correct way. But if you are lucky enough, you might win a free tuition to a class. See that blinkie to the side? Click that and find out more about the classes. Click HERE to get a chance to win a class.

The Economic Bleed Continues.

2011-01-31T06:21:00.001-05:00

It gets to be kind of a drag to have to report former creative playgrounds that have closed over and over. I still remember the first time I discovered Karen's Creative Stamping in a strip mall in Davison, Michigan and was so delighted I called my daughter to meet me after work. We both took classes here and spent a lot of pretty greenbacks, too.

Karen's moved into a scrapbook shoppe that had closed due to bad management and was then loads bigger than the previous stamp store, and she inherited all the store stock thus becoming I think, more scrap store than stamp store. I think that was her downfall and she became less of a destination on Friday afternoons for me. Both daughter and I had issues with the way some employees were treated by the owner and felt we could not return and feel good about it. It took me months to get over not heading out for a stamp fix and then to the gym.

I have known about this closing "unofficially" for several months, altho I knew it was coming probably for several years. I even hinted at it in 2009 in a blog post and many times since. Tonight, Karen sent out an email confirming what actually happened in late December. I wish her well. At least she has a regular job as a school teacher and her husband fixes computers. Her employees will not fair so well.

I know a couple of special people who worked at Karen's that I would love to give a shout out to. Pat Farlin (lost your email but hope you are looking forward to golf!) and Joan Stier (I have your package ready, I just need a ride to the PO and a Valium for dealing with the employees there ;P ). Both these ladies are so terrifically talented in the paper arts!

There isn't much left open these days in my stomping grounds but always check the side bar for the latest. Sadly, I have been deleting names on the closed list after 3 years, so that list is much much longer that you know. I am hoping to add some happy news to the list someday.

Glitter is Contagious? Really??

2011-01-22T01:27:00.000-05:00

BITE ME!

Scrapbookers Inc in White Lake---Going Out of Business

2010-12-30T07:35:00.001-05:00

After 8 years in two locations-both out of the way-another store is closing. Scrapbookers Inc in White Lake, Michigan is closing. The going out of business sale starts Jan 2 at 40% off. I really liked this store when it was in it's former location in Commerce Township (even if it was hard to get there) because it's so pretty in the fall in the overly treed area and twisting roads up and down hills. It was neat.

I tried to go once to the new location after hubby was golfing and I dropped him off at Camp Dearborn. Sadly they were closed on a day that should have been a business day, so I never got to visit the new place. It's again, an hour's drive if not more for me. I don't get to the area much anymore since daughter moved away. I don't know if I want to try and make a trip as honestly, what I want just doesn't seem to make it to the local stores, so I either buy online or go without.

5951 Highland Road {M-59} * White Lake, MI *248-714-9441

Live Laugh Love Scrap in Oxford Closing

2010-12-22T06:50:00.001-05:00

This little out of the way store just east of the Palace of Auburn Hills has been around for a while. It's been a couple of years since I visited it, but there was no reason to go there with hubby not working anymore down that way. It will be gone Thursday.

So if you are in the area, stop and get a deal or two of 50% off or more as there are only two days left-I heard storage and store fixtures remain available, too. Look HERE for directions and hours. Sad to see another local business go, and I think another will be listed here very soon. Support your local happy places, whether retail or eatery.

Old St.Nick

2010-11-29T07:16:00.004-05:00

This is another in the style of vintage nostalgia similar to my last posting. I did this about a year ago, too. As before, these are printed on an ink jet printer.

This close up is to show you where the icy glitter is placed. You will also see the puffy snow-like paint around the sign St Nick is holding.

If you want vintage images, try Googling for them. Many are free. There are also a few companies that sell discs full of them by themes such as Twisted Papers. I even found some in the embroidery aisle a few years ago at Joann's. Whatever works. Scraps were used for layering and some cheesy old edge punch (really badly punched) from Fiskars completed the card.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2010-11-17T07:43:00.002-05:00

I am not much into Christmas anymore. Long story but the greed turned me off so bad, I just said no more. I have not put up a tree in 13 years and it's just as well as my animals have no clue to decorum. One cat actually tried to fry himself by biting a wire one year. He was never right in the head again.

I put this card together over a year ago. It is not stamped but instead it is a vintage image printed on card stock. I had originally wanted to take a class for this type of card but when the weather got bad and I could not drive, I asked the proprietor of the stamp shop to save me a kit. She did but there were many items missing one of which was the class instructions. So I did it my way.

Here is a close up of the icy glitter that resembles snowflakes on the little girl. I always wanted a muff when I was younger. Not real fur, however and I think that is all that was sold at Smith Bridgeman's in downtown Flint when I was shopping with my gramma. We always looked at the cute dresses and shoes but somehow I ended up with jammies and socks. I am going to visit the lone kiddie shop left in the area this weekend to see if I can find a perfect Christmas dress for grandkidlet Avanelle. I used to shop at Laurie's in Grand Blanc for my own kids for special occasions. I don't think I could afford to clothe a teenager these days with all the designer labels that are must haves . Me, I look for BOGO deals.

With Age Comes Wisdom (At Least I Am Hoping)

2010-11-07T07:40:00.008-05:00

This is another oldie but goodie. I originally made a graduation card from this with a sprig of fresh rosemary tucked in the ribbon at the bottom. It smelled great but sorta dried out. Still smelled good but sorta fell apart. Guess I wasn't so wise after all.

These are Great Impression stamps from about two years ago? I took a punch and cut the punchie in half to give it a "quote" balloon look for the stamped phrase. The owls were colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. Some of the other pieces were from my Iris cart but I didn't like the original base card which was the dark blue bits that I ended up cutting up. So I swapped out a textured yellow piece. I did NOT intentionally make this U of M colors. Everyone knows I bleed green and white and Tom Izzo is my hero.

Special Note

2010-10-31T18:22:00.001-04:00

A card from a long time ago. I wanted to reshoot it but I sent it away, I think. Oh well.

The images are from Great Impression and were part of a class at Jane's/Sandee's. Since I can't take the classes, they often save class kits for me. Whatever works. I never make the cards the way the class instructor says anyway.

This card is a teacher card. At least that is what I think.

One Crazy Dog

2010-10-20T08:40:00.003-04:00

If my dog Jackson were a rubber stamp, this would be it. Right down to the wide eyed google eyeball, he is a configuration of crazy and nuts.

Here, a close up.

I believe this stamp is from Inkadinkado.

woof.

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Sweet

2010-10-14T06:16:00.002-04:00

Old Basic Grey cardstocks, a rub on and some dollar acrylic stickers.

Close up of stickers/rub on combo. The sweet crystals were also a dollar find, however it said sweetheart. I cut it up. Someday the heart will appear.

XOXO

2010-10-08T02:33:00.001-04:00

While everyone else is gearing up for Christmas, I am going backwards. I present you with a love card. Supposedly, I can't work current. Is there a place in the working world that pays dinero that will let me do that? Too bad, but I ain't gonna do it any different. I already have laid out items for 4th of July and something really cool for sailors/ship people. Do they have a holiday or not? Oh, and I am working on the graduation card I owe from last May.

When I found this plain canvas to print with Inkjet in the clearance aisle at Joann's, I fell in love with the idea of shabby chic and how to use up scraps and dollar store finds to make something very unique. The last two years at the local stamp shows there have been a couple of companies that sell vintage photos or old images on CD or DVD and I have gobbled them up. There are also many free vintage images online and if you google free vintage clip art, you will have an all day feast!

An example of a dollar store find is this acrylic circle with XOXO. The entire sheet held at least a dozen circles with various words or images. I bought it several years ago and the color just matched this card so well.

Multiple layers make up this card from the printed image of an old valentine (all die cut using Spellbinders) , the green and black paper embossed and sanded (this is black with green interior) , two layers of die cut and embossed textured card stock in matching colors to the image and then three layers of designer card stock punched and off set. You would think this card was heavy but it's not. Each layer on top is pop-dotted and the lower layers just rest on each other. The base card is pitch black and textured.

I tied the top with organza ribbon and applied the acrylic circle as I didn't like the knot in the ribbon. I noticed it was upside down, but I too am off kilter, so it works. Can you find the other mess up on the card? I double dog dare ya! All items are from the infamous Iris cart.

No Ifs Butts or Ands.....

2010-09-28T03:47:00.001-04:00

Testing the Networked Blog Feed.

Get a whiff of speed.

ETA: I saw these on a shelf at an antique/collectible show. I about fell over laughing and snorting. Just me being weird but sheep smelling a pig butt just cracks me up.

Doggie Dad

2010-09-26T02:51:00.000-04:00

Well over a year ago I made THIS card for Father's Day. I also made the one below, but it got lost in my draft file because I wanted to re-shoot the photograph. Ya know what? It ain't gonna happen. So here it is.

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Roadside Flower

2010-09-10T03:42:00.007-04:00

I fussy cut the stamped edge to enhance it against the brown cardstock. Layered flower stamp is from Great Impressions. An easy idea to use up scraps .

The sun was going down when I took this so its a bit grey looking. Hopefully when my new macro gets here (I finally saved up enough points!), I won't run into this problem anymore.

ETA the cardstock with the fussy cut stamped swirls is dark chocolate brown. It matches the dots in the ribbon.

Song For Linda

2010-09-03T02:27:00.002-04:00

I never met Linda. We lived hundreds of miles apart and even tho I plotted to get out East, I never made it. We "met" after I spotted a letter to the Editor in Comic Buyers Guide back in 1986. I responded to her letter as back then, many "fan type" publications gave actual addresses when printing a letter. We found we were both big fans of DC Comics, and shared a love of the Green Lantern Corps/Justice League, especially the character Guy Gardener . I mentioned to her that my perfect condition issue of GL #59 (first series) was half the price she paid for her copy in the same condition. This was before people began to SLAB their comics. We were fans of the comics to be read, not to be hermetically sealed and then sold for upgraded pricing.

Linda had promised me years ago she would have a place for me to bunk or would be my tour guide if I got out that way-she knew of my "bucket list" item to run a few laps thru Central Park. It might have happened if not for me getting sick and losing contact with her and all my fellow comic book friends. 10 years later-give or take a few months, I am reading a comic editorial blog and come across Mike Gold's byline. Hmmm, I wondered.

So to make a long story shorter, I found Linda on Facebook. Still the same Linda only now long married to Mike for about 17-18 years.I was so pleased when she originally shared with me that she had met a special guy, who also loved comics as much as she did. In fact it was his career! Her daughter had grown up as had mine. She still lived in the same place, so I could not understand why my hand written letters never got to her. I still have every letter she wrote to me-including the envelopes. Understand that we didn't have emails back in 1986 and I didn't have a computer until 1995. But it was like we never had that break. She still loved jazz and was consumed by Bix and old radio. I never wavered from my wanting to trip back to the late 1890's to live (I would give up a lot for that).

We had the same political leanings, were both dealing with insomnia , worried about the economy and health care reform, and had a farm. Yes, that stupid FarmVille on Facebook. The last night I had her as part of my life, I sent her some silly thing for the farm, made a post of which she gave it thumbs up for a like and told her good night and knew she would be there the next evening to farm, plow, or plant some virtual crop. Only she wasn't. Sometime in the middle of the night, she died. Only 60. Only too too young. Only leaving broken hearts behind.

I made this card for her and was getting ready to post it ( I am so slow and weirded out by my PO at times) so she could give it to her beloved Mike. It was exactly the style she would have loved. Very 1930's with an image printed on fabric of two stars of cinema that enthralled those from the era but kept a population occupied with fluff stories as the Depression took its toll on hearts and souls. We were two who think we belonged in other eras.

I found this piano piece the other night and it made me think of her . I hope you will listen to it and then remember to let others know you treasure them as I did her.

I have finally reached a point where I know she won't be logging on to Facebook, but I still wish she were. Facebook keeps reminding me to poke her or get in touch with her. I don't farm anymore but left our farms intact just as they were in late May of this past spring. It's been hard to say the least, having lost my mom, sister and someone I would have picked for a sister all within a year. I never got to tell her I have a grand child on the way. She would have been delighted especially with the due date being near Halloween.

Remember not to procrastinate if you have something you want to do or say to someone. I never got the chance this time. So wherever Linda is these days, hugs. This one is for you.

Take Care

2010-07-18T22:15:00.003-04:00

Please click HERE and read . Then come back for a sec.

As you can see, my smile is hiding something. So I am taking a break, a long one maybe.

I may come back and post more cards but maybe not. If I do, I won't be writing much, just posting photos. I have a ton to show you but the sunshine isn't here right now. Be well and happy.

Seize The Cupcake!

2010-07-12T03:53:00.006-04:00

It better be carrot cake under that frosting!

ETA: Tejal wants to know what carrot cake tastes like! Since it's the only cake I will eat (unless I can get some Thai Mango Cake), gotta tell ya---it's the bestest cake on earth!!! Yum yum yum.

You Make Me Smile

2010-07-04T22:11:00.003-04:00

Want to make me smile? Come over and trim my bushes and trees, and bring me a Popsicle. I like cantaloupe or lime ones only. I was trying to trim some very unruly bushes today and the bugs are so god awful I was inhaling them. It was about 92F and we had a down pour of about 5 minutes which is just enough to create a very nasty swarm of gnats and humidity. Then it got dark. I can't see anymore tonight to work.

I made this card a while back with images from Hero Arts. A quick and easy design, I especially like that lily flower in the lower left corner. Don't really remember where I got them from but it was just a small bunch of them in a flat container. I would love to try and make my own from crepe paper sometime.

Just to give you a close up of the little lady, my coloring was done with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. The lighting on this is a bit off, but I was working using the stove light again. Someday I will actually get outside and photograph the others I have to present, but there is work to do first. Enjoy the summer as it is fleeting.....and so am I.

Found Yum!

2010-06-28T01:42:00.002-04:00

I sure could use a cupcake right about now. But the cupcake queen probably needs one more. (Hi Jennifer). To celebrate the half baking of Baby Love, I give you a fat free but sugar filled delite.

Enjoy the tastiness.

Scraps, rub ons, ribbon and glitter courtesy of the Iris Cart. Enjoy.

Santa's Helper

2010-06-21T20:30:00.003-04:00

I wanted to title this post Christmas Creep in honor of Hobby Lobby. Maybe a lot of you don't understand that phrase. Maybe you don't care. Honestly, there are still people in my area with wreaths and lights up, and if I ruled the world, there would be a fine if the stuff ain't down by January 6th. For more on this creep that has gone creepy, click HERE

So I decided to add to the creep since this card is next in my queue. I used stickers, die cuts, cheapie gems and a piece of ric rac paddy whack along with some odd papers and card stock. There was a little distressing on some pieces but really, it took about 5 minutes even with cutting and punching.

A couple of things-for some reason my blog is not posting to Facebook like it should. It takes over a week while others I read take only a couple of minutes. I may delete the networked blogs thingie over there. And I do have lots more stamped and otherwise cards, I just am slow, depressed, tired, discombobulated and constipated so it will be a while for them to get here. I still haven't finished my updated new blog, so it will be awhile before that gets here, if ever.

Classic

2010-06-15T03:25:00.002-04:00

Here is another card from the files. For some reason, I was on a car kick at the time. I think I wanted to make retirement cards but somehow this one ended up a birthday phrase. The punches have been getting a workout on some of my cards lately. When I work with scraps, it's much easier to punch them for more depth than tear or distress.

I believe this is a Great Impressions stamp. No longer can I get most of them as Stacey closed up and the only other vendor locally does not carry the full selection each month. If you know of someone who carries them and has free shipping with a decent order (meaning $40-50...not 175), let me know as I would love to fill in the gaps of my collection.

The three little embellies on the lower left are not scrapbooking items. They were in the plant department at Michael's. I bought several colors and these were bronzy. I guess they were made for pots-you fill up the glass pot and stick flower stems in the beads. They work for me in this capacity. Never pass a good deal by.

The Journey Begins

2010-06-08T01:19:00.003-04:00

I found this card made quite a while ago in another file. It was sticker heaven for me at the time. With Father's Day approaching, this might make a nice card for a father to be. I personally see it as a retirement card.

Just pieces of card stock, some odd eyelets and a rub on. Nothing fancy and those Tim Holtz Distress Inks are always in fashion.

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Car Dreamin'

2010-05-28T23:28:00.004-04:00

I grew up in a culture of cars. Never got sucked in and just don't get it at all. But I can't bite the hand that fed me too much. There was ONE car I loved even if I didn't know the brand/make. On my grandparents farm in mid Michigan, out in a field back behind the chicken coops, was an old, rusty, seen-better-days car. I assume it was from the 1940's based on the movies I have seen. My little brother Boo would always make a bee line to that car whenever we went to Maple Grove. My grandparents had lived on that farm since just after the turn of the century. It's still there (the farm) but in very bad condition and full of car parts and other junk.

Whenever it was time for dinner, we knew where Boo would be. He got to this car and imagined himself into another time, another country, maybe even into a life where he could walk and run just like the rest of us. I often became his partner in dreams as we wiled away the summer days and froze our rears off in the Michigan winters. Dinner could wait as it was usually something sorta gross from the pressure cooker. If we really got hungry, I would go back inside and make us sugar sammiches on Wonder Bread.

I ofter wonder if the car is buried behind the long abandoned coops, deep in mud like we were deep in dreams. I usually thought of the car as a space ship to some far away galaxy, while Boo tooled himself down dirt roads looking for a place to watch minnows in shallow rivers that were the lifelines for huge spreads of corn and sunflowers.

I miss my Boo, who left me behind as a newlywed, only a month after I eloped. He never got to know his new brother in law. I think they would have been great friends. Every time I see a car show at some diner or parking lot, I look for that one special old green car with the torn tan seats. I hope someone else found their daydreams of summer in an old rusty car and that they share its special ride to the places we all have tucked away in our hearts.

Hold My Heart

2010-05-24T02:24:00.002-04:00

I raid the Iris cart whenever I can. One rule is never cut up a new sheet of designer paper unless you can take two from the cart. The striped middle piece was new but everything else is from the cart that no matter how much I use it, it never gets much emptier.

There is no stamping on this card. I used a rub on for the phrase on the heart and sticker letters (Thickers, I think) for the Love word. The punch is from Ek Success. Chipboard is from a drawer full of shapes that I long ago took the outer packaging from. I just can't stand all that extra stuff they put to make things look pretty on the shelf and I usually take it apart when I get home. The small red heart is a sticker I think from about 6 years ago. I don't usually like acrylic stickers as they get hard and then fall off or crack. I am hoping this one won't as it's backed with something substantial.

Here is a close up of the heart that I covered with some paper scrap then used a nail file to smooth the edges. I am pretty sure all the papers were Basic Grey but don't hold me to it. The ribbon scrap-can you believe it's a Christmas color? When did pink become Christmasy??? I got the roll for 10 cents in January. Love those clearance sales! Use up your scraps, people. Ya never know what might happen.

Hedgie 2

2010-05-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is similar to the previous post from a few days ago. I used the same stamp, same papers and just switched it all around. Guess I am getting stale.

I have a few more items in my folders that I may put up. I want to redo my blog so eventually, many items will be gone, or sent to my other blogs. So if you come this way and find nothing, or something of nothing, PANIC!!!

ABC Easy as Blog Candy.

2010-05-16T02:47:00.002-04:00

Goodies are to be had if you make the right choices. Visit ABC Toys And Crafts for a chance at this wonderful punch set.

Hedgie

2010-05-15T00:08:00.001-04:00

I forgot about this little cutie. This was a card from about 2 years ago. As I am cleaning out my cupboards, fridge and pantries, I might as well clean out my folders, too.

This is Penny Black, right? I don't remember other than I was on a hedge hog kick for a while.

A close up of the little guy. In case you can't tell the dp has fuzzies on it.

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Candi from Heaven

2010-05-13T22:52:00.005-04:00

ETA (May 17) -this blog candi is now decided and I won! I get the goodie Candi #3. Thank you Jen.

My friend Jen over in paradise (otherwise known as Hawaii) is celebrating 250,000 hits on her blog. She does incredible paper crafting and if you haven't been to her BLOG , why not? Jen is giving away 5 different goodie bags of Candi but you have to work for them. Each photo below will be my entry. Wanna play? Go to THIS post and then you will find the others . Don't delay, as the contest is over tomorrow.

ENTRY 1 Something pink in my desk area. This one is tough because I hate pink anything. My first house was pink and it was the house from Hades. But that is a story for another day. This pink (actually it's more fuchsia, right?) book is something I have had for about 20 years. Inside it are pages and pages of restaurants I have been to along with a wish list of the ones I still want to go to. If the place is closed, I cross it off. Other wise, it lists the address, times of operation, type of food and my rating of the experience.

Entry 2 Something Round is the dogs' water dish on the deck. We basically had a monsoon today (and it was a cold one at that-the heat is on in the house) so the dish is filled with bugs and propeller thingies off the maple tree. The dogs refused to go out so it wasn't as gross as you think. They will get fresh in the morning.

Number 3 is something I ate. Sofa boy was out with his scouters at a pot luck, and I decided to make a pot of soup. I wanted veggie soup but threw in stuff from the freezer as I came across it. After I took this photo, I added some wild rice. My kitchen is trashed, but I have tons of stuff frozen for when I am too lazy to cook. Nothing died in the making of this soup unless the garlic kicks the heartburn in later.

Number 4 is a plant. This plant is special to me because it was made from a cutting off the spray that covered my dad's casket 15 years ago. Every few years I make more cuttings and give them away. I need to re-pot this soon as it's a bit droopy and probably root-bound a bit. I keep this hanging over my kitchen sink but we are getting new cabinets soon so I need to rethink where it will get its sun and moisture. I did stick some pinwheels in the pot a few weeks ago to perk up my mood a bit. Dollar stores rock!

Number 5 is dirty socks. Sorry, I didn't put shoes on today, I had no socks either. I wasn't gonna leave the house so I didn't even bother to brush my hair! Who would notice? The dogs??? Anyways, I give you hubby's socks but he wears dark ones, so the dirt won't show. Stink is another story, ha!

So get thee to Jen's blog before noon Hawaii time. I don't know what that time is, but I think it's like Mexican time. Right, Gloria? I know Shanghai time tho, for what it's worth. I never undid my clocks from when hubby was there. Maybe he should take his dirty socks back to China??

Cupcake For Jennifer Love

2010-05-13T01:38:00.003-04:00

Somebody keeps whining over on Twitter that she wants cake. She whines even tho she knows she can't have cake until after Baby Love is born. So I decided to give her a "fix". She can't spike her sugar this way, and maybe oh maybe we can have an hour of rest already.

I know this is cheesy- hey Jennifer, can you eat cheese?? Or is that another thing you don't like? I already ate your potatoes today, but I am not big on cheese. But I only had a couple of minutes and wanted to shut her up for the night. So here's to Jennifer Love of Benicia, California (and that poor poor hubby of hers who suffers so much-Hi Doug) who just entered her 2nd trimester and is due on November 15. Maybe Baby Love and Baby Scholl will hook up someday...if mommy doesn't drive us all sugar nuts before that.

Blog Candy From Across The Pond

2010-05-12T02:39:00.002-04:00

Passion For Crafts is giving away some incredible items to celebrate her birthday. Have some cyber cake and leave her a happy day message.

Masterpiece is Closing in Kzoo.

2010-05-10T17:52:00.002-04:00

Another sad ending for a Michigan Business

Closing end of May.

Flying Thoughts

2010-05-06T01:04:00.003-04:00

Stamp from Inkadinkado. Punch EK Success. Paper from Scraps. Corners by Chomper/We R Memory Keepers. Rub On from the Iris cart misc. drawer. Twine-i dunno.

Balloon Ride

2010-04-30T01:00:00.001-04:00

As I am trying to figure out why my blog won't post to Facebook anymore, I have come across a bunch of cards I never posted to the blog. This card below is very similar to ANOTHER from last September. I sometimes make a couple of similar cards but play them differently. I loved adding the glitter on the edges of this image. I just like glitter, I guess.

I used the exact same papers and image from the card from last September, but I did change the coloring of the kitty to resemble my other cat at the time. I lost two cats very close together last year to old age and illnesses and am down to only one from a max of 5 so shortly ago. I think I will get another kitty later this year but want to get some painting and new flooring first.

This is an odd angle for a photo but I wanted to see how the glitter would show up. It was getting to be late in the day and the sun went behind my pine trees. Soon I will take my cards outside again to get some better shots. In the meantime, the bathroom lighting will have to do.

Testing My Blog Feed

2010-04-24T02:10:00.002-04:00

I took this photo during the Crim of 2008. I have no idea who this is. I think that is one of the joys of running/walking/hanging out in downtown Flint the last weekend in August.

Cat-agory

2010-04-22T01:46:00.004-04:00

Inchies are the hot thing in paper crafting. If you have no idea what they are, take a look at this blog and see what you can create in a one inch square. Another blog takes it a different way, using the inchies to embellish a larger platform. That is what I chose to do. The stamps I used on this card are made specifically for inchie art but I needed to add them to my card behind a die cut area. You can buy these die cut cards already made up from various online vendors or use the Sizzix die that I used. There is also a three window version. I will get that later with a coupon.

I backed all my inchies with black card stock. These inchies were placed inside the windows on a pink sheet of card stock. Or you could place them behind on the inside of the card so when you open the card, the cats are inside. Whatever works for you. I used a punch on the bottom that I layered a piece of ribbon over and tied in a knot. The rub on-maybe I should rethink it. Because of the texture of the grey card stock, the rub on did not go nicely from the wax paper to the grey area. It broke apart and I had to piece it to get it to stay. I used some pearl bling to finish the top edges. This is a card any gramma would love, especially if she loves kitties. I know mine did.

ETA I forgot to add that the stamps in this set are from Inkadinkado. Joann's had them in the store but I have not seen them recently. I also did not know they were now part of EK Success.

Crazy Blog Hoppers

2010-04-19T21:12:00.002-04:00

Scroll down to the far lower right side and see the new fangled blog hop I added. You can add your blog, too and put it in a single post or anywhere else you want to play with the HTML. I may move it higher up later but this is all I have time for now. I will be visiting all the bloggers over the next few days. I may discover a special artist along the way. Or this list may be the best to begin with. 100 plus and counting.

Doggie BD

2010-04-17T00:06:00.000-04:00

I just found a bunch of old cards I made a bazillion years ago in my draft file. I might as well put them up here since it's been too windy to photograph my newest creations outside. I have a black backdrop I use (see below) that some cards just don't show up well with. Plus the lighting in the bathroom is crappy.

I think this is a Great Impressions stamp. Let me look. Yupperdo! It was from May of 2008-I can't believe I did this that long ago. Ribbon scraps, a brad, Stickles glitter glue and any kid would love this card. Keep those Prismacolor pencils handy and sharp-you never know when you will get a couple of minutes free to color.

Achievement

2010-04-11T23:30:00.002-04:00

I guess it would be an achievement if I made a card that didn't have a cat hair or something off kilter, right? We will save that for another day. I thought this would be a cute graduation card but thinking about the stamped image, could it not pass for a birthing card? So I dedicate this to Amy Barrons who had a beautiful baby boy on Thursday. His name is Ethan and he joins big sis Evelyn and daddy Jessie.

Here is a close up of the stamped and glittered image.

I think the paper scraps are from Lasting Impressions and they are not two sided like I love to use best but they are thicker than normal paper. Ribbons are from my scrap bin> I had bought into a ribbon share a while back and I keep giving some away but still have so much. This ribbon is all from May Arts-the Cadillac of ribbon as far as I care. Stickle glue for glitter and Prisma pencils for coloring.

Copic Candy

2010-04-10T17:17:00.002-04:00

ENTER HERE!

Ribbon Storage

2010-04-08T19:02:00.003-04:00

There are a lot of people who have emailed me recently about ribbon storage as my way was mentioned on several other blogs a couple years ago. For some reason, the link isn't working, so I am listing it again HERE and I will make a link off the side for others to see easily. I don't want to even go to the idea of how much more ribbon I have since my original post.

The biggest problem is when you buy a spool of ribbon, you get at least three yards but usually upwards of 10 yards for so little, that it's stupid to buy it by the yard or foot, because it costs more the latter way. I even have some spools of 25 and 50 yards. Maybe later this summer I will do a ribbon give-a-way. I did twice before.

And if you want other ideas, here is a LINK to hundreds and hundreds of photos of other crafters who also tamed the ribbon monsters.

Dragonfly By

2010-04-06T23:41:00.004-04:00

We got a ton of rain today-very much needed. But along with the rain, we got high winds, hail and the dogs were all spazzed. Not much sleep for any of us. The grass in the front yard is greening up but not so the back yard. The dogs have torn up everything over the past two years, and killed most of the grass, flowers, and bulbs. I should have just burned the dollars.

I really like the shades of lime in this. What is especially nice is using inks and stamps to make a subtle design along the edges. If you click the photo, you can see it better. These photos are kinda dark as I was using the bathroom lighting.

Here is a closer look at the image. I colored using Prisma pencils, then added my glitter using Stickles, but a glitter pen or light application of clear glue with some loose glitter will work if you have it. I always try to use what is in the Iris cart. I'm just too lazy to go upstairs at times. If I had to do it all over again, I would make my living room my crafting studio. I am using my son's old bedroom, as daughter's is filled with my comic book collections and all my other junk.

I really need to de-junk my life. Where do I start?

Hoppin' Down The Bunny Trail.

2010-04-03T02:39:00.002-04:00

I will be alone on Easter-hubby is flying the friendly skies. Guess I should be used to it, but it still bites. No wonder I hate holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. I am always alone or sick on them. So during the evening I will do the thing we all hate-finish my taxes.

I used scraps from the Iris cart for this, including what looks to be a remnant of under skirting from a tutu. Everything is colored with Prisma pencils and Gamsol. Then I got out the glitter pens. The weirdest thing is, I could not get the paper to stayed glued where the ribbon popped out. That is why the sides are a bit mangled. I will be in search of glue that is totally unmovable later.

Happy spring everyone. I hope it sticks around this year.

formspring.me

2010-04-01T01:29:00.001-04:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/JanScholl

Have A Glorious Day!

2010-03-28T04:02:00.003-04:00

If it warms up today, I will be happy. If I get to eat brunch with no one smoking around me, I will be happy. If Michigan State makes into the Final Four, I will be happy. If all three happen on the same day, I will be gloriously happy.

Pay no attention to the wayward bling in the lower right corner. I have no idea what happened there but the actual card does not look like that. This card is easy to figure out. Punches, scraps and my well used Prisma pencils are the mainstays. I didn't even bother with the ribbon as I had just the right amount of flowers to accent.

Always Be My Baby!

2010-03-24T02:22:00.007-04:00

So the day after Valentine's Day, I decided to make my cards. Some would say save them for next year. I never do anything in the correct season, and these just go into the bin I have going in the bedroom (the cat tipped it over one night last week-10 bazillion cards in cellophane envies all over the floor). Anyway, this card is not in my usual 10 minutes and done mode. I had to think what I wanted to do and decided to do shabby chic and use some elements I hadn't before. You will notice there is no stamping on this card. Not ever any real stamping ink. But there is ink!

The image was printed on thick vellum in a sepia almost black color. If you click the photo you will see where my fingers gripped the lower right corner and some of the ink came off. I think this gives it a more antique look anyway, so it works for me. I measured a piece of pink paper that has some texture to it and punched the sides making sure to leave enough room for the image. Once I placed the printed vellum on top of the pink, it really popped! I tried it with green and yellow but the pink worked best and gave the body a flesh tone.

I also took a Nestibility die and used the opposite side of the flower background paper, then cut the frame in half for the top and bottom. These were all layered on top of a chocolate card base, using pop dots where appropriate. I added tiny pearls at the corners but it still needed something else and while diving in my Iris cart bin looking for perhaps some old ribbon, I found those fabric flowers make of some gauzy substance (it was actually pieces of flower, so I was able to snot dot them in place to make full flowers). I finished with another pearl in the center.

Can you believe I took this photo in the downstairs bathroom using just the over head light,and a piece of black Styrofoam as the background? I won't do this a lot, but I was in a pinch to photograph some items this week and gave it a try. Someday, I may actually set up a photo box that is permanent. I think this is one of the most unusual cards I have ever made, mostly because there is no stamping. The bottom phrase is a rub on, my new go to when I am in a hurry.

Floating By

2010-03-20T00:52:00.003-04:00

I thought it was spring but heard some flakes are heading my way. If only I were shoeless, running thru a sprinkler on a hot July day. Soon enough, I hope.

This card is made using a couple of Great Impression Stamps . I have not found a good online source for them, but you may find a local store listed on the site. Some months are great and other months not my style. Ribbon was from the dollar bin, and the crystals were cell phone decor. Corners are rounded using the Corner Chomper. There are four styles to choose from and many online vendors-and it chomps thru chipboard, acrylic, tin etc. The only local vendor for me was Hobby Lobby. Lucky for me, this is one tool I can't mess up enough to need a trip to the ER-or get bloody-or both. Yup, I am a klutz.

Feel Better

2010-03-14T23:55:00.003-04:00

The moment I saw this stamp in the store, I thought of a little girl named Evelyn-about 2 at the time. She was at my daughter's wedding last September and sat at my table and just talked and talked. Then she put her jammies on and danced with all the other kids, until she pooped out. Soon Evelyn will have a new baby brother or sister. I hope it's another red head-we need to populate the world with REAL redheads.

I could not find the directions for my sewing machine but did find a packet of faux stitching rub ons in my stash. It worked in a a pinch. Lucky me to find some to actually match the colors, too.

I used Prismacolors and Gamsol for the coloring, and a Spica glitter pen for the flower centers. Now I have to go catch my runny nose. Yes, I got infected---could it have been Arturo at the Friday night egg fest? I will bill him for the Nyquil.

ETA-for the hair on many of my images, I usually use several pencil colors. I am the mom of a natural redhead and if you look, there are so many variations of hair strand colors on their heads. Some have a copper color, some have a bronzy gold, some are very red, almost strawberry color, some are brown golden or neutral. So play with your pencils. If you click the photo, you can see some of the bleed of the colors I used.

Ann Arbor Losing Scrap Store

2010-03-12T16:23:00.002-05:00

Scrapbook Haven

I have to inform you I have never visited this store and only found out about its closing on Facebook. I had planned on visiting it during the Ann Arbor Art Fair last summer but the weather was bad, so I didn't go. I wish I could tell you more about the store in general but again, no visit no opinion. The economy still sucks in Michigan. We will be far behind the rest of the country with any sort of recovery.

I saw my first skeeter last night, so maybe that is a harbinger-good for warm weather and a forward into better times. Just keep the little thing away from me-I am allergic.

Princess Avery

2010-03-12T01:23:00.003-05:00

This card is for a special little girl who is one big bright star in a sometimes depressing world. If I need a smile, I visit her blog. First click HERE to find out about her latest challenge (mom's site) then click the blog link below the card for All Avery! I will be posting this as soon as I can get my lazy butt to the PO.

All
Avery!

Stamp and Scrap Closing In Livonia

2010-03-10T17:57:00.004-05:00

I feel like a broken record. I bring the news of another stamp/scrap store closing. There could be a whole rant here about this store but why rub salt in the wound? Here is the statement sent out today from the proprietor.

""Yes, it is true, after 13 years of business we will be closing our doors. It has been a fun and wonderful ride. You have been our extended family for so many years. I have seen the kids grow, get married, have babies, and much more. I will dearly miss that. I can only thank all of you for all of your kind words, continued support, and well wishes during this very difficult decision. So what will I do?I am going to become a Stampin' Up Representative after the shop is closed and teach out of my home. If you are interested in getting class information and being added to my email list, please email me at scrappinandstampin@att.net and I will add you to the list. I am also looking into hosting weekend retreats with classes, croppin', and projects.

I think this will be the hardest email to push the send button on. Again, thank you for all of your support and I hope to say that final goodbye to you soon.

With Love,
Barb ""

http://scrappinandstampin.homestead.com/

Click link for details. I will update the sidebar as needed.

Ya Know Ya Wanna!

2010-03-07T23:38:00.003-05:00

Blog Candy!

Generations

2010-03-04T02:17:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, just as with family being hard to define, so it is with a card that you can't finish until the right time with the right item. I made a trip thru the craft store, looking for just the right "thing" to set this card apart. I found it in the clearance aisle in a basket of loose jewelry items.

Most of this card is made with scraps from my Iris cart of jumble. If I had a dad or grampa, I guess this card would fit an occasion. I just have a sofa slug. And he is hogging the heating pad.

Hello Friend

2010-02-26T02:43:00.004-05:00

Really simple card made with scraps of Washi paper. Some other scraps of card stock were distressed and a few Prima flowers added. The stamps are from Hero Arts.

I have a ton of Asian inspired cards and that is quite a hot ticket in stamping right now. I hope to find some Indian and Mexican images soon. I also have some incredible African stamps but I would love some handmade paper to go with them. Eventually. Altho I do have some Ellie Poo paper to go with the Indian style of the far east.

Fairy Tale

2010-02-19T23:41:00.003-05:00

Do you believe in fairies? My gramma did. She insisted it was the fairies who dabbed her morning glories with glistening dew on the back porch every summer morn. She often would wait for the squirrels to come slurp the moist drops off, then hand them a shortbread cookie. My grampa got so mad at her, insisting she would get rabies or fleas from the furry creature. I share her love of squirrels and relish the days the dogs are tormented by them every year. I only see gnomes in my backyard (maybe it's the grumpy in me) but they come out later in the day than the fairies anyway.

This card used several stamps from Great Impressions. The edge was stamped in chalk ink and then cut to reveal a bit of the inside, where a message is also stamped to the receiver. On the fairy, I used a stick glue pen and then added ultra fine clear glitter-this after stamping in another chalk like ink. Actually a pretty quick card that would work with whatever pieces of scrap card stock and ribbon you have to change it up.

Friends Forever

2010-02-14T03:53:00.002-05:00

I don't have any Valentine cards. I sorted my items to make some but between the hockey game and the laundry, I didn't make any. The story of my life-distractions.

I had this card in my queue, however. When I colored the image a while back, it brought to mind my daughter Courtney and her best buddy, Melissa. Melissa lived across the street almost as long as we had during grade school and high school years. I think her family moved in a few months after we did. I still have remnants of those times from the summer seances on the front porch with the Ouija board and many many candles. Good thing candles were cheap! But the wax never goes away. And that's okay.

Friendship

2010-02-11T01:16:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite Lucy/Ethel moments.

Here is a card for all you birds of a feather.

I used some cheapie paper flowers, pearl buttons from the dollar bin and a hank of May Arts ribbon. Nesties make the layers for the bird nest image and a little bit of Stickles give it some shine. Paper by K and Company and a rub on from Making Memories.

Have 5 Bucks and Like Digi Stamps??

2010-02-07T03:04:00.004-05:00

My friend Allison in Calgary has a special story to tell (at least one with a happy ending this time around) and along the way, designed a digital stamp set to raise funds for a special project to bring awareness to Congenital Heart Defects. Enjoy her sarcasm and do a good deed today. See the details at Stampin When I Can .

Then go visit Avery so you can see what having terrific medical care can accomplish. We are ALL moving to Canada!

Magnolia Playhouse!

2010-02-06T02:23:00.000-05:00

A Magnolia playhouse with candy!

Friends Till The End

2010-02-06T01:04:00.004-05:00

The year of the Tiger. Could that possibly be a good omen in more ways than one? Here in sports crazy Michigan, after the terrific run of last year that came up a bit short, many would love to have 2010 be a Tigeriffic year. But in the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Tiger is the designation of this particular lunar New Year. It is based on the astrological animals-12 in all-from the Lunasolar calender. And what better day to start the Year of the Tiger than on the American designated Valentine's Day of Feb 14?

I colored the image on the card with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, and layered several pieces of card stock, and origami papers. These little posies which form an arbor over our little China princess were from the wedding aisle at Michael's. I love clearance items. Never overlook sections in craft stores even if you aren't looking for anything in particular. I used rub ons for the swirls at the corners and the phrase, and the crystals at the top were actually something sold to decorate cell phones (I have a peace sign on my phone!).

A bit of a close up (crappy at that) but I still am a few dollars short for my macro lens-but those doctor bills will probably put me over the top :( ?!#. I get points for every dollar I spend and I am not giving them up this time for any power tools!! How cool I was actually able to match cheek to flower color, but with over 160 pencil colors I can choose from, pretty easy nowadays.

I wish all a healthy and prosperous new year no matter what your day of celebration or ethnic background. Little princess smiles down on you and hopes you will partake of Buddha's Delight. Traditionally this is served the night before the beginning of the New Year and is usually vegetarian. This particular chart shows oysters. Leave them out and you have vegetarian yumminess.

Michigan Scrapbooker Zine-Free!

2010-02-01T22:49:00.002-05:00

There is a free zine available at many local scrapbooking and stamping stores, and even some local art stores. Michigan Scrapbooker is FREE-did I say FREE? Coupons, local stories, more coupons, ads for stores you didn't know were out there. It has been published a couple of years now, so look for it. It is tabloid sizing, so hard to miss. And remember, it is FREE!

HERE is a list of stores where you can pick it up. If you don't have a local scrap/stamp store in your town, you can order a superscription. You will earn the price of the issue if you use the enclosed store coupons. Sometimes a little exploring off the beaten path for a store is worth the trip.

Turtle Soup

2010-01-31T00:08:00.001-05:00

It's been so cold here the last week. I keep telling myself there is a day or two coming with sweaty hair from working in the garden, lilacs along the fence, skeeters-have to let them leech the blood. Last year's hot weather was a vagabond, drifting in for a few days and then off to sea. Maybe that is why I like to create cards of beach landscapes. For a few moments, I can place myself in the sand and let my mind drift away to rocky beaches and sunshine.

What I tried to create here, in the bottom stamped image, was an illusion of shallow water. I now wish I had used a wider chiffon ribbon. That way I could have butted the bottom of the ribbon to the bottom of the card stock. Ben and Johanna have invited me (and the snore king) to join them in Florida in late April/early May. I had almost thought we could swing it (the dogs are $50 a day plus kennel shots to board). But the medical bills have started coming in, so the chances are less than 50% we will be able to go. I am not the touristy type person either. I love to dig thru book stores and craft emporiums, but Disney World? Sucky. We shall see as I still have time to decide. For now, I have immersed myself in the sea dancing with turtles.

Sadly, Another Scrap Store Closes

2010-01-25T01:12:00.003-05:00

Paper Tales in Eastpointe, Mi is closing. This store, Paper Tales is so out of the way for me, that I have only been there twice. I still remember the first visit on a dark, rainy night while spending the weekend with Courtney (she lived in Troy) as Ron was in China. We really liked it as it was new, fresh and let us explore an area we had not seen much of. Then they moved. Then daughter moved. I had no taxi ride. I had thought of making a sweep thru lower Michigan in the spring to see new or old favs. But they will all be gone, if the economy doesn't pick up.It's sad and there are still some stores very much on the wire.

Here are the details of the sale. I will also update my side bar.

""It is with great sadness that I am announcing that Paper Tales will be closing its doors in February. The decision to close has been very difficult.

When we opened in December 2004, I had no idea how much this place and you would come to mean to me.

We feel fortunate that you have let us be part of your lives. The legacy you leave us with is overwhelming.

Our inventory liquidation sale begins now. Most things in the store will be 25% off, with a few exceptions. Our vintage items will not be included in the sale as our Etsy store will continue. Many of our fixtures will be for sale.""

Playing In The Wind

2010-01-20T00:02:00.000-05:00

Cover you eyes!

I gift to you another in my queue of uglies. I have no idea what I was thinking with this but neon is not my idea of fun colors. And that puffy paint stuff sucks, too. It's all random, people. I have no control of what will show up next but you are welcome to make fun of it if you so choose.

I guess I need to drag out my bins and make something better, ya think?

Punch Giveaway Blog Alert

2010-01-17T21:18:00.003-05:00

ABC Toys and Crafts

Wishing You Well

2010-01-15T00:18:00.000-05:00

After an eventful trip to the ER last night and a medical bill I am having a hard time wrapping my head around, I give you my latest. If I get sick this year, I am not seeking treatment. I will wait it out or die, because I will not bankrupt my husband. So wish us both the best as I wish the same to you.

****************************************************

***********************************

***********************

Purse

2010-01-10T00:52:00.002-05:00

The last for now of my secret stamp company is not my favorite. I have several other cards, including a lunchbox with contents and a beautiful baby onesie, but for some reason, IE, and the site for these stamps is giving me fits tonight.

Now I think you are gonna be disappointed that you probably won't find these stamps in your local stamp store. I have always purchased mine at the summer convention in Novi . So if you are in the lower Michigan area or just over the border into Canada or Ohio/Indiana, you will be able to get them this summer. From the looks of it, this vendor is rebuilding a new site so the store is not up and running but if you look thru the examples and see some you like, you can maybe email them to see if they will do a phone order or some other idea. Perhaps ask your local stamp store to order them and you will save on shipping and your local store stays open. Beware-as of last August the stamps were still wood mounted, and very large. I don't remember the price because each summer I get the new ones which come in a package deal. Or check eBay.

Now you want to know the vendor, right? Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps ! There are examples online, PDF's to download and other info. If they were on cling, especially the smaller items, I would have them all by now. Make sure you sign up for the newsletter, too. These stamps are addicting and so much fun to use on scraps. So go browse the site and check back to see if they have updated their cart soon.

Now lets get inky!

Ladies Duds

2010-01-06T00:24:00.000-05:00

Here are more stamped articles of clothing. I think I have one more post of them later this week.

Bet you are wondering who makes these stamps, right? In due time, chickies.

Shirts

2010-01-02T00:22:00.000-05:00

These are all stamped. Watch for more later this week.

Spammer Hell

2009-12-27T19:12:00.003-05:00

I have had word verification for a while but had some ask me to take it away and do comment verification on my end. Actually I had both and only once did I ever have to reject a comment while using both. I took off the word verification last week and within 30 seconds, I had a spam comment. I thought, okay, I can just reject it. Ha!

Since that time, the spam has become worse and very suggestive and raunchy. I have decided to go back to Word verification. My other option is no comments at all, and I really don't get many, so it would be no big deal. I just don't like the gross comments that have nothing to do with my blogs.

So for the two or three that do leave comments, I am sorry for putting you thru another step. Until Blogger has a better way, it's all I can do.

And my gift to the ones who do this blog spamming is one of my dog's farts-in your face-at 3AM.

Pottery

2009-12-26T00:44:00.000-05:00

I love Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg stamps. Even if you mess up, you still have a workable image. Can you see my oopsie?

I used a Spica glitter pen to highlight the flowers. The stamping is all done using Distress Ink from Tim Holtz, my go to ink of choice. I hear he has 12 new colors coming in January. They will be mine.

I am not happy with the string I used on this. I wanted a softer look but could not find a more burlap type twine. If I do, I will redo the laced string.

I didn't add a phrase or rub on of any sort, but will before I send it off. Another layer might have helped a bit under the white and torn layers. Something with more texture maybe?

Sand In My Toes

2009-12-21T00:06:00.000-05:00

Can you guess what I wish I was doing?

Instead I have mud, snow, and wayward leaves. And that is just in my kitchen. Damned dogs.

Stickered Tree

2009-12-17T04:04:00.000-05:00

Like the previous card, this is made with stickers. For anyone not used to using stickers on cards, these particular stickers are heavier than the cheapies from the mass market stores. I patted the backs of them to remove some of the stickiness and then used larger pop dots made from foam to give them that dimensional look.

If you buy sheets of stickers (some come prepackaged flat and some are on rolls), you could get enough to make 5-10 cards depending on what is on each sheet. And they don't have to match either! I have used stickers from several companies on the same card. This however, is from the same sheet. Sadly I removed the header so the sheet would fit in my binder, so I can't tell you who made this or the previous one. But it's a few years ago that I purchased it, so probably not around anymore, knowing the turnover in supplies at scrap stores.

As usual, I have to say I can't stamp straight-look at that phrase. This also utilized those wonderful pearls that were at the checkout for a buck. Many companies make them, I just buy what is the cheapest.

Silvia's Got Some Goodies!

2009-12-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

Click Here!

Nutcracker

2009-12-13T01:12:00.000-05:00

I have an addiction to stickers.

HO HO HO.

Spring Pot

2009-12-07T00:41:00.001-05:00

I wish. Spring can't get here fast enough. A major winter storm is brewing for the Midwest and is due to make its imprint on mid-Michigan sometime Wednesday. Sad to not need a snow day from school-we always had an adventure or two back then. Ever played basketball in the snow? Pair from the chair! HORSE in winter is great as you add an extra handicap to the game.

These images are stamped with Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg stamps. Since many of their stamps come in sets, I can't tell you which ones I used, because I take them out of the containers they come in and toss in a shoe box for storage. At least shoe boxes don't give me paper cuts.

I added some sparkle using Spica pens to the flowers. It just doesn't photograph very well. The stamped images sparkle very nicely however, in the sun (which isn't here, is it?)

The word spring is a rub on from the dollar store as are the crystals on the sides. These may have actually been dollar stores within a regular stamp/scrap store-because I always check the reduced or clearance bins first. Inks are Tim Holtz Distress pads from Ranger. Scraps are scraps. Never ending.

Empty

2009-12-06T01:16:00.002-05:00

No photo. No blatherings. I messed it up. So you get empty space and I get to be pissy with myself. I am now going to go cuss at myself even more and maybe empty the dishwasher. Nite.

Blog Candy AND a Great Digi Album!

2009-12-03T20:52:00.004-05:00

Click Here!

Make sure you check out this entire blog. It's great!

Fly Away Home

2009-12-02T22:53:00.000-05:00

This card has a case of the uglies. It is what it is.

Enjoy it if you want, barf on it if it pleases you. I am open to suggestions on what to do or not do with it.

Basket Case

2009-11-28T01:54:00.000-05:00

I found this post under drafts. I must have forgotten to hit publish. Another step toward losing my mind.

Well, I did CASE this card. So the title fits,right? But I kinda feel like a basket case sometimes. I have been whacking myself wondering how I missed the cat being sick. Since she tended to do her own thing and never really interacted with the other cats and dogs, other than stealing the dog food, I didn't see her much during the daytime. At night, I fed her, yelled at her to stop digging at my wood trim and chased her down the steps (her big butt sounded like elephants on the stairs). Once in a blue moon she came into my bed to sleep. I think she was the ribbon thief, too. Most nights she explored the closets, drawers, trash buckets, toilet bowls. But Nebbie was a talker. And a kisser. Spencer doesn't kiss at all. I need a kisser kitty.

Three people have gotten sick that I know of who were at the wedding on Saturday. SO I am dealing with being sick. Of course. No way I could be let out of that. So put me in this basket, cover me up, with something to make me sneeze and I will hang out until it all passes. I have some pretty cool friends on my blogs, so this is a cyber thanks for being there. Or here. Or where ever I is.

I think this stamp is from Great Impressions. I know the glitter on the flowers is Stickles. Yes, Courtney, I used the Stickles. I am going to Stickle until I die! Scraps, and my crapbook bin provided the rest of the story.

Ships

2009-11-22T21:59:00.000-05:00

**********************************************

*********************************

We walk to the sea.

Just my sister and me.

And the dogs play around on the sand.

Winter cold cuts the air.

Hangin' still everywhere.

Dressed in gray, did she say...

Hold my hand?

I say, love's easier when it's far away.

We sit and watch a distant light.

We're two ships that pass in the night.

We both smile and we say it's alright.

We're still here.

It's just that we're out of sight.

Like those ships that pass in the night.

And it seems you and I are like strangers.

A wide ways apart as we drift on through time.

Like those ships that pass in the night.

***************************************
**********************************************

Rest in peace, sis. Your pain is gone.

(lyrics by Ian Hunter)

Take Care

2009-11-19T00:11:00.001-05:00

Is there a card out there that could possibly work for someone who has terminal pancreatic cancer? I mean, you can't very well send a "get well soon". You would look stoopid. I sent this, a tin of teabags and a gift card for Amazon. She is out and about but is no longer going to chemo. Life sure is unfair, tho.

This was stamped with Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg stamps, a charm from the dollar bin and some gems from the same. Scraps from my never ending paper bin.

Crystal Has a Blog Giveaway!

2009-11-18T15:46:00.002-05:00

Crystal's Crafty Creations

Shelled

2009-11-13T01:07:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this look sorta like a snail? All that is missing is the beach, which is on another card. Maybe you will see it later this weekend.

The background stamp is from Great Impressions but not sure on the shell itself. Used a corner chomper to round the corners and the Cropidile to smash those brads.I don't think they were supposed to do that, but hey, worked out anyways. Coloring by Prismacolors. Sparkle by Spica pens (the one time I got that damned pen to work-crushed glass inside a pen is not exactly my idea of fun).

Reach

2009-11-09T03:05:00.000-05:00

I finally sent off the graduation card I should have sent last June. My niece Lee in Iowa graduated and is now off on her own making her own dreams come true. I think the first part of her dream is making herself a walking piece of art. The cool thing about that is everything always compliments it. So no decorating mess ups. And you carry your portfolio with you.

This card is kinda dorky. I think I made 5 graduation cards in the last 10 years. So it's not something I stress for creativity. It was quick, unlike me. I was slow. I hope you like what was inside, Lee. I actually still have one stamp left-for my taxes in December. On my swamp.

Lee-if you see this, send me a photo or link to your tattoo on your arm and shoulders. That is so intense. I love it. I'd love to put it here for others to see.

Am I The Bad News Blog? Another Store Closing.

2009-11-08T22:59:00.003-05:00

Another local scrap/stamp store is closing. Busy Bee Scrapbooking in Waterford is closing by Thanksgiving. I have never been to this store and it has not been open all that long-but the perfect storm has hit Michigan retail. Below is the information I have received from the owner.

It is with a very heavy heart that I am sending this to you. We will be closing our doors for good on November 28. Beginning November 9 and continuing through November 28 the entire store will be on sale.I am liquidating every single item of merchandise in the store to include paper, embellishments, stickers, adhesives, ribbons, tools, albums, and store fixtures.Arrive early for the best selection!! Our new hours for the last days of business will be 10 am to 7 pm Monday - Friday and 10 am to 4pm Saturdays.My next venture will be www.busybeescrapbook.com. I will be selling items online.

This store is located at Busy Bee Scrapbooking 6301 Williams Lake Rd Waterford Michigan 48329 if you need directions be sure to google map it.

HO HO HO-Send A Card To Noah!

2009-11-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have heard about little Noah, a young boy from Michigan. His family is requesting Christmas cards as they are celebrating early this year. Noah is very ill and may not make it to December 25. Noah's story was carried on the local Radio and TV . The address listed is an alternate. Cards can also be sent to his home. I ran this thru Urban Legends to be absolutely sure, and that info is here with his home address. Please send him a card if you can. I am sending the one below to him.

I heard of this today from the owner of the Paper Hollow in Troy, where I have shopped before. Her link is in my sidebar. Please help bring a smile to a beautiful and brave little boy.

Update on Stacey's Store Closing.

2009-11-04T23:29:00.002-05:00

So back a couple of days I told you about the bestest stamp store closing. I went up to see Stacey tonight using my trusted GPS and to pick up some stamps, card stock, and a ribbon or two at great prices. And to get all the poop. Now as sad as this seems to be at the moment, maybe this store closing is a light out of a dark tunnel.

Stacey has some ideas up her sleeve including maybe a studio for herself that is truly organized and where she can find something at the drop of an ink pad. She will have the area she needs to be at the top of creativety and use the items she has but can't get laid out without planning a 4 hour tour. And maybe, just maybe have a design team and some new stamp images drawn by talented peoples to play with.

She may also have an idea for a class-roomable area for small, intimate classes of 2-4. That is the kind of class I like for making art. Especially as you won't feel rushed or freaked out by a new technique. This will be somewhere in the future after she and her Sweet Stamps and her family and that big ass travel gas guzzler thingie make a tour thru the south including Texas and Arizona and Denver thru Chicago and be coming back to the spring of Michigan (I hope so anyways) in March. Guess who will miss all the nasty weather of Michigan (won't be me unless Stacey adopts me :P )

For the time being, she has terrific sales at the store, so please take a look if you are in the area in the next week or so. Check the website for hours and days open. Anything that is left is going up to Birch Run for the Deer Widow's weekend on November 13-15th. Shopping only ticket price is $5.00 and you will have fun. Then go over to Uno's across the street and have some pumpkin soup.

I will keep you up on anything new and cool, because I think there is something fun and prosperous in Stacey's future and she is gonna share it with us when she is ready. Michiganders may be down for the count right now but we are tough (except for me and my whining about the weather), so wish her luck. Now go ink an stamp and make a card and send it to someone. Glitter rules.

Magnolia Addicts Unite. Blog Giveaway!

2009-11-03T22:26:00.005-05:00

And if you win, and I don't. Share. And if I win and you don't. Beg.

Jacque's Magnolia's

Pixie Cottage Giveaway!

2009-11-01T16:45:00.003-05:00

Pixie Cottage

Isn't that Rudolph the cutest stamp? I always liked the story of Rudolph since I was a kid, especially the song because my dad sung it to me. So go enter, ya might get lucky.

Princess

2009-11-01T01:20:00.001-04:00

I didn't make any Halloween cards. Maybe you will see some at Christmas or Valentine's Day. But this card might work. All the little girls who used to dress up in shimmery wafts of fabric always made me smile. Not so much for what they thought a princess would be but for what a princess means to mom and dad-a little ball of energy that is somehow fragile.

I did not see one princess tonight. My daughter never was a princess, either. Somehow we ended up with a costume for a Siamese twin fairy. She and Nicki were tied together in exact same outfits. Until Nicki lost her flighty fairy shoes in the creek. We never did anything truly mainstream, did we?

ETA: I stand corrected. It was Siamese twin Leprechauns. Not fairies. It was a long time ago in a time space far far away.

Blogger Tag?

2009-10-31T02:09:00.002-04:00

I got one from Allison ...

The Rules are:

1. You can only use ONE word!!!
2. Pass this along to 5 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!
4. HAVE FUN!!!
***************

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

2. Your hair? dead

3. Your mother? deader

4. Your father? deaderer

5. Your fave food? garlic

6. Your dream last night? terrifying

7. Your fave drink? water

8. Your dream/goal? security

9. What room are you in? dinette

10. Your hobby? messiness

11. Your fear? pain

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Michiganless

13. Where you were last night? Mega

14. Something that you aren't? dishonest

15. Muffins? corn

16. Wish List Item? hottub-I cheated and I don't care!

17. Where did you grow up? Didn't

18. Last thing you did? Scrabbled

19. What are you wearing? pumpkin

20. Your TV? sports

21. Your Pets? furry

22. Friends? sometimes

23. Your Life? unexpected

24. Your Mood? sad

25. Missing Someone? Clancy

26. Vehicle? Aveo

27. Something you're not wearing? tampon ;P

28. Your fave store? Stacey's ;(

29. Your fave color? Red

30. Last time you laughed? Artie

31. Last time you cried? now

32. Your best friend? me

33. One place that I go to over and over? gym

34. One person who emails regularly? Jo

35. Fave place to eat? Ashoka

36. Facebook? Farms

Five bloggers I am tagging--- Courtney, Jennifer, Tejal, Jo, Becky

When Does The Bleeding Stop? We Lose Another.

2009-10-30T02:26:00.004-04:00

This is by far the hardest shuttering I have to report. Stacey announced she is closing her Store in Fowlerville and the going out of business sale starts on Saturday. Below is the letter she just sent. Stacey is more than a stamp/scrap store. She is a mom, a wife, a funny lady, and a good friend. She was the only reason to go to Fowlerville (you have to understand the trip I take to get there). She is a friend that I don't want to lose. I hope there is more to this friendship then as a retailer who fed my habit. I wanted her to go with me to the Bloated Goat just once-so I wouldn't feel like a dweeb. I hope we still can. Caring about someone is more than just glitter and ink.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Friends and Customers,

This past year has been a very difficult one in the store. As many of you know, our family has been traveling out of state to trade shows, which has allowed the store to be open, albeit occasionally. Subsequently, I do not have the time to give the store the attention it needs and deserves. After many long discussions with my husband, I have decided the best thing to do at this point in time is to close the store. Because I do not want to drag out this depressing event, I will begin a clearance sale this Saturday, October 31st. All merchandise is available first come, first served and all sales are final. Hurry in for the best selection.

Here are the hours for the store closing sale:

Saturday, October 31..............10am-4pmSunday, November 1..............Noon-4pmMonday, November 2.............10am-6pmTuesday, November 3.......10am-2:30pmWednesday, November 4.........2pm-8pmThursday, November 5......10am-2:30pmFriday, November 6................10am-6pmSaturday, November 7...........10am-4pmSunday, November 8............. Noon-4pmMonday, November 9............ 10am-6pmTuesday, November 10.....10am-2:30pmWednesday, November 11.....10am-6pm

Discounts will be as follows:

50% Off all wood stamps
40% Off Bazzill cardstock and scrapbook papers
30% Off magazines and clear stamps
25% Off inks, markers, embellishments and accessories

There will also be an array of paper racks, ink racks. shelves and other display items. I am cleaning out closets and storage rooms and will bring out more new product as room permits. I have a ton of used items that will NOT be included in this sale, but will hold a separate sale for these items at a later date, most likely in December.

Thank you for your patronage over the past eight years.It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye,

Stacey Richardson, owner Stamp Image Studio