Friends are Special Treasures!

Hello!  Today's card was made last weekend but I couldn't show it until my friend who I made it for received it in her mailbox!  That has happened so I can share it with you now.  The layout I used, I actually saw on a square card but I very rarely make square cards, so I basically used the same layout on an A-2 size.  And I really like how it came out.  Let me say a little about square cards.  I see them all the time on the blogs and I do like how they look, but I stay away from them for a couple of reasons.  For one, I don't have an abundance of square envelopes and you do have to pay more to send them (which is ridiculous ... but we won't get me started on that!).  Anyway, most of the time if I can make a card work into an A-2 size, I do.  Here is my friend's birthday card.  Enjoy!
   



Once I figured out about the layout, I looked for five papers that would coordinate together and I found just what I was looking for in one of the matstacks.  I used my latest Verve stamp set to create the flowers.  Pretty, huh?

Recipe:

Paper - Die Cuts with a View Flower Shower Spring Matstack, Cardstock White, Purple, Green
Stamps - Verve Fancy Florals Remixed, Sentiment by Penny Black
Ink - Versafine Black
Tools - Classic Scalloped Circle & Classic Circle Nestiblities, Stampin' Up Scalloped Border Punch
Other - Purple Pearls by Queen & Co.

Change is a coming...tune in tomorrow!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Hey There Sunshine!

 Hello!  Today's card is made for my participation in Mojo Monday's sketch challenge.  Sketch challenges are popping up on so many blogs, but I still find the sketches from Mojo Monday to be among my favorites.  This particular week is a week when you have a choice to go with a round card or a square one.  Julee (owner of Verve and her blog Poetic Artistry) gave her instructions on the way she creates her round card out of the largest scalloped nestiblities die.  Her way is way more simpler than the way I have done it in the past.  So, I had to give it a whirl.  Easy Peasy!  (I have been wanted to say those words!)  Let me show you my card and the sketch and then I will pass on to you the easy instructions.  Enjoy!

Before I get to the instruction, I want to say that making this circle card reminded me of doing ATC's because you are using the same elements as you are on a larger card, but in a smaller size.  It was a little bit of a challenge but fun.  I have been wanting to combine my sun die from My Favorite Things with the Verve sentiment 'hey there, sunshine".  I thought this would be the perfect time!  I absolutely love how my card came out!  In the past, when I made these scalloped shaped cards, I would have to run the folded piece of cardstock through the die cut machine and then cut out a third piece to layer on to the front so that you don't see the fold at the top.  Here is the easier way ... Just diecut two individual circles.  On the one that will be the back one, score a straight line between the top 3 scallops.  She says to apply some type of strong glue above the score line, so it won't come apart.  I used three small pieces of red liner tape.  You then just align the scallops on the two pieces and stick them together.  Easy Peasy ... there are those words again!

Recipe:

Paper - Cloud Paper by Doodlebug Design, Stripes by My Minds Eye Kaleidoscope Paper Pad, Yellow card and sun by Bo Bunny.
Stamps - Sentiment by Verve
Ink - Versafine Majestic Blue
Tools - Sun Die by My Favorite Things, Classic Scalloped Circle & Classic Circle Nestiblites
Other - Ribbon by Creative Impressions, Pearls by Queen & Co.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Thank You For All You Do!

Hello!  Today's card was made for a very special purpose.  One of the blogs I frequent, is having a HUGE blog candy give-away, the biggest I have ever seen.  It is amazing to see the generosity of so many companies who donated product. In honor of World Alzheimer's Day and in memory of her loved one who passed away with the disease, she is asking everyone to make cards to give to the caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.  She wants them to feel appreciated for all they do.  Here is the link to her blog for the Heart to Heart Card Drive.  She even has included an address of where her loved one lived so that in case you don't know anyone to send your card to, you can send it there.  I, however, do have somewhere to send my card.  My mom, who will be 95 in a couple of weeks, has dementia, which is a form of Alzheimer's.  I am thinking the nurses and aides definitely deserve a card thanking them for all they do! 

For my card, I decided to go with one of my favorite sketches, and some of my favorite papers.  I love how it came out.  Here is my card.  Enjoy!

Recipe:

Paper - My Minds Eye Home Matstack, Cardstock White, Rose Red
Stamps - Thank You by Penny Black
Ink - Versafine Satin Red
Tools - Labels 4 Nestibilites, Papertrey Inc. Flower Dies, Sizzix Flowers & Vine #2 Die, Martha Stewart Scalloped Border Punch, Stampin' Up Square Lattice embossing folder
Other - Button by O'Scrap, Linen Thread by The Cat's Pajamas, Pearls by Hero Arts

Make sure you go check out the blog candy and go make your card.  I love it when good people do good things for more good people! 

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Bulletin Board Beauty!

Hello!  I don't have a card for you today but I do have something to show you.  A while back, a very good friend purchased a bulletin board for me at the scrapbook store.  It is made out of particle board and can be painted and decorated.  I was "eyeing" it and she knew it!  Over the weekend, I finally got around to working on it.  When I first got it, my original thought was to cover it with scrapbook paper, specifically the Bo Bunny line called Petal Pushers because it has my favorite colors.  You know lime green, hot pink ... etc.!  I knew I would first need to paint it so that the sides would have color.  During my painting, I decided that instead, maybe I would try adding designs with a mask and black ink.  Well, I went with this idea but it didn't work out so good.  As, I got over spray where I didn't want it and it bled out from under my mask.  And then when I painted back over my mistake, well, you could still see some of the black.  So, I went back to my original idea ... and am so glad I did!  I love it!  I even made some layered flowers and put magnets on the back.  Here is the pics of the before and the after and my magnets!  Enjoy!

PLEASE NOTE - THE TWO PICS OF THE BULLETIN BOARD ARE SIDEWAYS.  SORRY!  The original pics were taken with my phone.  I sent them by email to my computer.  I then rotated them on my computer.  They look right side up when you look at my pictures  but when I tried to upload the image here, they went back sideways.  I have tried and tried and now I am giving up.  Just turn your head!  Thanks!

Top is on the right, so turn your head to the left to rotate image in your mind!



These 2 were made with felt flowers from Queen & Co. I added my own felt flowers with The Cat's Pajamas die.

I will have a card for you tomorrow.  So, stop back by!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Birthday Wishes!

Hello!  I hope you like today's card.  On my first order from Verve a while back, I got this one stamp I had not used yet.  It is a small rectangle with a flower and the Birthday wishes sentiment.  On previous occasions, because of it being so small, I wasn't sure how to use it.  But this time, I was gonna come up with a card idea using it.  I ended up using the Labels 4 dies to "showcase" it.  I really like how it turned out.  Let me show you the card and then I have to tell you about my coloring on the flower.  Enjoy!

The coloring part is what I call a "happy mistake".  Here is how my process went.  I stamped the stamp onto the white cardstock, but then before I colored it, I had another idea.  I went and got some acetate and stamped it on there.  (Had to use Staz-On for this) Anyway, my idea was to get out one of my plastic palettes, this one actually has tiny squares.  In one of the squares I added a drop of Diamond Glaze and a drop of a reinker, stirred it up and started to paint on the acetate.  It gives a stained glass look.  But before I even finished with the first color on the acetate, with my paintbrush loaded, just for the heck of it, I decide to also dab a little on the white cardstock too.  Guess what?  I decided for my card today, I like the look on the cardstock, better than the acetate!  I added the second reinker to another drop of Glaze and did the highlights with the lime green.  In real life, looking closely, it has a dimension. I guess because of the glaze that was mixed in.  What do you think ... do you like how my card turned out?

Recipe: (and additional info)

Paper - My Minds Eye Kaleidoscope (large pad purchased at Ross), Cardstock White, Blue, Lime Green
Stamps - Birthday Wishes Rectangle by Verve, From Me to You by Hero Arts
Ink - Versafine Black, Diamond Glaze by JudiKins (Glossy Accents by Ranger could be substituted here - I have both but since I learned the acetate/diamond glaze technique from JudiKins, I figure I should use their product!), Reinkers were Adirondack Name that Blue (there is another name now because I got it before they named that blue - but have no idea what it is - sorry), Lime was a Brilliance Key Lime (this being a pigment ink, acted a little different than the blue die ink.  It also wasn't as transparent as the blue.  Maybe that is how I was able to add a little of the green on top of the blue in certain areas), Tombow #138 to ink outside rectangle and outside edge on both images.
Tools - Classic Scalloped, Classic Circle, Labels 4 Nestibilities, Martha Stewart Floral Band Border Punch
Other - Flower Rhinestones by Hero Arts, Heart shaped Button, Linen Thread by The Cat's Pajamas, Silver dots from Stampendous (these were left on a sheet after the border stickers were pulled off - I guess it is good I kept this, because these silver dots are just what this card needed!)

I hope to get back to my room today so I will be able to show you one more for the this week.  If for some reason it doesn't work out, then have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Life is too short for beige!

Hello! I can't wait to show you my card.  So, let me get right to it!  Enjoy!

 

The Inside

I often print out the sketch challenges for the week and then if I feel I need a little challenge to get the mojo going, I will pick one and go for it.  So yesterday, I tried to do that.  I picked out Jen delMuro's sketch for the week and decided the two vertical strips at the top, would be really cool with a Sizzix border die with gemstones in the holes.  But, beyond that I couldn't figure out what stamps I wanted to use to go with this idea.  This morning, before I even got out of bed, my idea formed in my head!  Here is Jen's sketch.
Yes, it is true the sketch is actually a square card, but I saw where a couple of ladies on her team changed it to an A-2 size, so I did too.  That size works so much better for me.  My idea was to use this big 'ole dog and give her a hot pink, gemstoned collar!  It worked!  I believe it actually looks a collar, when in reality I just cut a oval piece and added under the head to "look" like one!  While, I was coloring and working on the dog, I got to thinking about what sentiments would go with my new fancy dog.  And my stamp, I just had to get from Stamping Bella before I closed my store, came to mind.  The only problem was the sentiment wording was too big and way too long to fit in any circle.  So, in the end, I decided to add it to the side of my rectangle piece.  It changes the sketch a little, but not too much.  I wasn't sure if I liked the line where it butts up, so I ended up adding one photo corner on the right bottom corner to draw your eye.  I decided to go ahead and use the "No bones about it..." sentiment to begin the sentence.  And adding a little bone tied with hot pink ribbon, with a gemstone pulls it all together.  This is absolutly one of my favorite cards.  How about you... what do you think?

Recipe:  

Paper - The Paper Studio Poteeka Souffle Paper Pad, Cardstock Natural White, Brown
Stamps - Dog, Bone, & No Bones Sentiment by Inky Antics Delightful Dogs #2 Clear Set, Life sentiment by Stamping Bella, Even for Dogs! was created with Hero Arts alphabet indiv. letters, Wonderful Day stamp by Printworks
Ink - Versafine Vintage Sepia, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Labels 5 edge for Life sentiment, Classic Scalloped Circle, Classic Circle, Classic Heart Nestiblities, Sizzix Die Dots, EK Success Photo Corner Punch, Cuttlebug dots embossing folder (on pink strips)
Other - Ribbon by Creative Impressions, All sizes Crystal Gemstones by Hero Arts

See you tomorrow!  Happy Stamping!

Tina 

Texas Howdy!

Welcome to another Texas Tues-Step day!  Last week I saw a sketch on one of the blogs that had three squares across the card and it made me think of the little Texas square that I purchased at the scrapbook convention.  So, off to the local scrapbook store I went to see if I could find any papers that I thought would work ... yes, I know what you are thinking ... how about all the papers I already own?  Well, you also know how it is.  If you can have an excuse to buy something new, well ... you must take advantage of this opportunity!  I found some new western themed papers that I thought wood work perfectly.  Let's see what you think ... enjoy!

On my card, there is alot of DP.  Designer Paper, that is.  Which leads me to a quick unrelated story.  Up until a couple of months ago, I was calling this type of paper scrapbook paper.  And then someone commented that they like the DP I used.  And I did not know what DP was.  I had to call a friend to find out!  So, thinking I was the only one that was calling it scrapbook paper, I changed and started saying DP instead.  Then last weekend, one of my stamping friends, asked me what DP was?  Hey, I guess that means I wasn't the only one out there that didn't know what DP was!  Whatever you call the pre printed paper out there, I love it and really enjoy it!   

Back to today's Texas Tues-Step.  Don't forget to go to the list on the right side of my blog.  Clicking on the team's names, links you to their blogs so you can see their Texas creations!

Recipe:
Paper - Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker Line 3 different papers, Cardstock Kraft (finally got some of this), Dark Brown
Stamps - Texas Square by Deadbeat Designs, Howdy by River City Rubber Works
Ink - Versafine Vintage Sepia
Tools - EK Success Scallop Border Punch, EK Success Corner Punch, Stampin' Up Oval Punch
Other - Pink & White Tiny Flower Rhinestones by Heidi Swapp

Thanks for stopping by.  I would love to hear your comments about my Texas card for today.  See you tomorrow!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Hebrews 11:1

Hello!  A new week, and a new card!  Let's get right to it.  Enjoy!

I cased the layout of this card from one the blogs I frequent.  On their card, they had used a similar eyelet with an open center. I knew I had sold some of these in packages when I had my store so I went looking, hoping I had some in my supply.  I found this pair and 2 other pairs in other colors.  Finding the yellow pair, is when I started looking for papers that would match the yellow.  It is so funny to me how an idea, or a color inspiration might come from the simplest of things.  Anyway, on my card, do you see that I not only stamped the verse but also the swirls?  I love how it came out, don't you?

Recipe:

Paper - October Afternoon Thrift Shop Line called Still in Box, Cardstock White, Black, Yellow
Stamps - Sentiment by Verve, Swirls by Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous
Ink - Versafine Black
Tools - Labels 9 Nestiblities, Cuttlebug Victorian embossing folder
Other - Eyelets by We R Memory Keepers (Crop-A-Dile used to put in eyelet),Black ribbon by Stampin' Up, Linen Thread by The Cat's Pajamas, Black corner thingies (technical term) by Unknown (came from dollar bin at Jo-Ann's)

Be sure to stop in tomorrow to see my Texas Tues-Step card!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Hopping by with Birthday Wishes!

Look, it is Friday and I have had a card for you every day this week, as promised!  Woo Hoo!  Today's card uses a My Favorite Things set that I bought several months ago and haven't inked up yet.  My friend Donna borrowed this set and made the cutest card to send to her son, who is in the Marines.  She inspired me to use these stamps.  I kinda copied one of the blog cards I have seen, made a few changes and came up with this.  Enjoy!

One of the details that I copied was how they used thread to make the ribbon around the paper pieced packages.  This card I am sending to my stepdaughter in a couple of weeks.  She loves purples, so I picked out the colors with her in mind.  I love how it came out, don't you?

Recipe:
Paper - Daisy D's Sweet Baby Jane Collection (I believe Daisy D went out of business), Glittered dots paper is by Best Creation, Inc., Cardstock Light Purple, White
Stamps - My Favorite Things Birthday Flopsey Set
Ink - Versafine Black
Tools - Classic Scalloped Circle and Classic Circle Nestibilities
Other - Linen Thread by The Cat's Pajamas, Button, Ribbon by May Arts, Rhinestones by Hero Arts

Look for more creations from me next week, too!  I am on a roll here!  And, next Tuesday is another Texas Tues-Step day, so on that day I and the Texas team will be showing you our best Texas creations!

Have a great weekend.  Happy Stamping!
Tina

Gather the Blossoms of Life!

Hello!  When I created today's card, I was in the mood to use my flower dies that I got a while back from Papertrey, Inc.  The only stamp is the sentiment but it brings the whole card together.  Here is my card.  Enjoy!

You might notice after I die-cut the flowers, I also ran each flower through the polka dots embossing folder to give the flowers some detail.  I notice in the picture that the pearls have been moved off the center of the flowers, where they were supposed to be.  Oh well, you get the idea.  Over all, It is a very simple card, but I love it!
Recipe:

Paper - We R Memory Keepers Out & About Line -Flower Depot, Solid colors for flowers by My Minds Eye Kaleidascope Pad, Cardstock Natural White, Med. Blue, Black
Stamps - Sentiment by Hero Arts
Ink - Versafine Black, Broken China Distress Ink for sentiment panel, Stipple Brush
Tools - Paper Trey Flower set of 3 dies, The Cat's Pajamas Cut Ups Flower Buttons Die for Leaves, Labels 8 Nestiblities, Cuttlebug Polka Dots embossing folder, Marvy Corner Rounder
Other - Buttons by O' Scrap and Unknown, The Cat's Pajamas Linen Thread, Baby Blue Pearls by Queen & Co.

See ya tomorrow!  Happy Stamping!
Tina

Have a Blooming Birthday!

Today's card was actually made last week and was sent in the mail to a friend.  Because she is one of my friends on Facebook, I had to wait until she had received it in her mailbox before I posted it here.  She sent me a message when she got it.  Which is something I would like to comment on.  She & I had a conversation about how nice it is when you make something for someone to hear back from them.  At least that they received it and better yet that they liked it or enjoyed receiving it.  I think crafters are more likely to do this. Often times, my cards are not sent to crafters and I don't hear anything and then I have to ask them if they got it or not.  I hate that!  O.k. enough about my pet peeve!(lol!)  Let me show you the card I made her.  Because, I knew she was a stamper, I actually made it an easel card.  I first made one of these back in July.  You can go to this post to find my instructions.  Here are my pics.  Enjoy!

Recipe:

Paper - Die Cuts with a View Flower Shower Spring Matstack, Cardstock White, Rose
Stamps - Wildflower Sentiment by Verve from Feel the Sun set, Flowers by Verve Fancy Florals set, Blooming sentiment by Woodware USA set Ink - Versafine Black
Tools - Classic Circle, Labels 4 Nestibilities
Other - Baubles by Stamping Bella 

I love the way it came out.  It is very pretty if I do say so myself!  I would love to hear what you think.  Can you leave me a comment?

On another note, I can hardly wait until tonight because another season of Survivor is starting. And after that we get to watch the Big Brother finale!  Did you know that my hubby & I are tv reality show junkies?  Sad, but true.

I will have another card for you tomorrow so check back in!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Have A Bubbly Day!

Hello!  Today I am using a set that I acquired back in June from Inky Antics that hasn't been inked up yet.  The little turtle image is so cute and holding the toothbrush reminded me that today would be a perfect day to post it on my blog since today I have to go to the dentist for a cleaning.  Even though this turtle is using the brush in the bath, not for it's teeth. As far as me going to the dentist, it is like pulling teeth!  Pun attended!  You see, I only go when something either hurts or something falls out.  Which in this case, it is the latter. You see last week, a three tooth bridge fell out and they had to cement it back on and that is when they talked me into getting a teeth cleaning today!  Enough about that, let's get to today's very cute card.  Here it is ... enjoy!

Close Up View

Is this cute or what?  On the close up view I think you can see that I paper pieced his shell bathtub, and his bath cap. The duckie was stamped on some yellow cardstock.  And the flower button dies layered from The Cat's Pajamas ... that is my new favorite look!  The only issue I had was with the sentiment.  I just couldn't find a spot on the card to put it so I ended up stamping it and cutting it apart so I could put it in two different areas.  It is true not every card has to have a sentiment on the front.  I just like to do it that way!

Recipe:

Paper - Bo Bunny Petal Pushers Line - Stripe, Backside of Doodles, Backside of Notes, Cardstock Black, White, Yellow (duck)
Stamps - Inky Antics clear set called Spa Turtle
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Classic Scalloped Rectangle Nestibilities, The Cat's Pajamas Cut Up Dies Flower Buttons
Other - Baubles by Stamping Bella, The Cat's Pajamas Linen Thread

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Wishing You Blue Skies!

Hello!  Today's card is a little summery, but as I decided last week, that is o.k.  Looking through my drawer of wood mounted sentiment stamps, I came across this one and decided it would be perfect with my sun die from My Favorite Things.  I started with the idea to follow the sketch that I did a couple of weeks ago.  You can see that post here.  But there were just too many circles, so I changed it a little and came up with this ... enjoy!

The papers came from my stash, some I purchased at a scrapbook store in Arkansas back in May.  They just completed the card theme.  This card is definitely more about papercrafting than stamping as the only stamp on the whole card is the sentiment.  I tend to create more and more cards like this.  It is just that I love, love, love all the dies out there!  I guess I can just add it to the list of my other addictions ... paper, stamps, ribbon, baubles and pearls, buttons ... oh my, the list goes on!  Hee, Hee!

Recipe:

Paper - Doodblebug Design, Cardstock White, Light Blue, Yellow Felt
Stamp - Inkadinkado
Ink - Versafine Black
Tools - Classic Circle Nestibilities, My Favorite Things Die Namics Sun, The Cat's Pajamas Cut Ups Die Flower Buttons
Other - Ribbon by Creative Impressions, Yellow Pearls by Kaiser

I have a card for you every day this week!  So, come see me!
Happy  Stamping!
Tina

A Butterfly Just for You!

But before I get to my card, I think since today is 9-11, we should all take one minute and say a prayer for our troops who give their lives for our freedom everyday. God Bless America!

I have a card for you today.  And then next week, I will have a card for you every day!  Yes, I said every!  I have been out in my stamp shack ... woo hoo!  Today's card is on the different side, as it incorporates the use of fabric.  It was a card idea I  saw on the  Hero Arts blog. Let me show you and then I will give you my details.  Enjoy!

This is a close-up pic of the butterfly.

First, I want to tell you my little story about the fabric I used.  The only place out here that would sell fabric of course would be WalMart.  So, off I went.  I asked the clerk what was the least amount I could buy.  She said she could cut a tiny strip and give it to me.  But I told her I would need more because I needed it wide enough for my card, that I actually only need one 4 x 5 inch piece but as you know you get this 3 foot long piece, whether you want it or not.  So, being the nice person she is, she cut me off a 4 inch wide, 3 foot piece and said I could just have it and to bring back my card to show her what I made!  See, there are nice people left in the world ... even at WalMart!!

My only regret is that this particular fabric frays quite a bit but maybe that will just give the card character.  Whatcha think?  I stamped the flowers in colored pigment ink and actually ended up embossing them with clear powder just like I would do on paper.  It worked!  It made the flowers show up a little more.  I do want to talk a little about my butterfly.  I gave you a close up because I did put the crackle accents on it, but even in real life, I am not sure you can see much crackling.  Maybe it was too small of a surface.  I ended up using the Stampin' Up butterfly die cut so that I could pull the teal color onto the main piece to tie in with the DP I used.  You see, when I did my butterfly and fabric panel, I had not yet picked out what paper I would use.  I decided the card itself needed to be the kraft color cardstock.  And once again, I had to dig and dig to come up with a piece.  I have got to get me some of that!

Recipe:

Paper - Bo Bunny Peacock Lane Dot, Cardstock Kraft, Purple, Teal
Stamps - Flowers by Hero Arts Flower Garden, Butterfly by Stamping Sensations, Just for You  by Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Ink - Versacolor-Lilac, Hyacinth, Green Tea, JudiKins Clear embossing powder, heat gun, Versafine Black, Ranger Crackle Accents
Tools - Labels 8, Classic Scalloped Circle, Classic Circles Nestiblities, Stampin' Up Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings
Other - Lavender Pearls by Queen & Co., Small Teal Baubles by Unknown (a find at the last scrapbook convention) Tina Note - Who says you can't use both pearls and baubles on the same card?  I think you can!  And I think you should!

Have a good weekend.  And remember to pray for peace!

See ya next week.  Happy Stamping!
Tina

 

Sunny Side Up!

Hello!  Well, this is the third week in a row, that my posts have been so sporadic.  I just can't seem to get it together.  When I do get time to stamp, I feel like I am in a rush, which dosen't help the "mojo"!  Nevertheless, I do have a card for you today!  I know it is September and really I should be making cards with fall themes, but I found on my desk several stamps I had laid out a while back that I wanted to use for summer cards.  So, give me a couple more weeks or at least through the next week to get my summer cards completed and I promise to give you some fall themed cards.  The stamps I used today I have wanted to ink up forever.  I have looked at the stamp before but thought ... oh my, a lot of coloring, and so it didn't get used.  But today when I made the pact to get those summer cards completed, I knew I had to stamp this little chick and color away.  Ready to see?  Enjoy!

And the sun?  It is a new die I got from My Favorite Things.  I couldn't resist buying it thinking of all the stamps I have that say something about sunshine, including today's stamps.  I guess it is good that I hadn't stamped these stamps before now, because the sun really adds to the whole feel of the card!  I love how it turned out, don't you?

Recipe:

Paper - My Minds Eye (Large 12 x12 pad called Kaleidoscope, text weight sheets in patterns and solids ... purchased at Ross), Cardstock White, Purple
Stamps - Inky Antics (wood-mounted)
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol
Tools - Classic Scalloped Circle and Classic Circle Nestiblities, My Favorite Things Die-Namics Sun
Other - Lavender Rhinestones by Hero Arts

Happy Stamping!
Tina

The Stars at Night ...

Welcome to another addition of Texas Tues-Step.  If you are a Texan, you have already finished the title with the correct words!  I decided to do a card that is a little different from my norm.  I made a swing card, which is also sometimes called a flip flop card.  I got the instructions from the tutorial resource section on Splitcoast Stampers site and you can go here for the complete instructions. The card pretty much came out how I saw it my head.  I think it is the first card in a very long time that I haven't used any designer paper on, but for this card, I need to go back to basics.  And by basics I mean just some good old fashioned stamping!  I have a few pics that I hope will show you my card.  Enjoy!

Front Panel Closed Version

Complete Front Panel

Inside Panel Flipped Open

Recipe:

Paper - Cardstock Navy, White

Stamps - Texas Sentiments by Deadbeat Designs, Tiny Dot Pattern by Printworks, Tiny Star by Hero Arts, Stars on front panel by Art Impressions
Ink - Staz-On White, Versafine Majestic Blue
Tools - Classic Heart Nestiblities 2 sizes, Texas shaped punch by Punch Bunch
Other - Navy Blue Pearls by Queen & Co.
I am not sure which Texas team members are participating today, but you can get to their blogs by clicking on their names from the list on the right side of my blog. Note, there is a new participant.  Her name is Stephanie.  Be sure to check out her blog!
We had family here over the weekend, so I didn't get the opportunity to hang out in my stamp shack, hopefully I can soon and will then be able to show you more creations. 


Happy Stamping!
Tina

Something Old, Something New!

Hello!  Earlier in the week, I had promised to have four cards to show you this week!  I am sliding into Saturday with the 4th one!  YEA!  I am very excited about today's card because I am participating in Verve's Project Parade challenge.  For this challenge, you are supposed to use stamps from an older Verve set, with stamps from either one of the newest release sets or a new-to-you set.  I had to go with one older and one new to me stamp. Perfect timing, because these were some that I just got this week.  The flowers are from a set from 2007 (that is definitely older) and I used a plain Jane dated this year.  So, I was all set.  But I had to figure out what my layout would be, what inks, and what papers to use.  I love the finished card.  I hope you do to!  Enjoy ...
  

I want to say that the something old, something new doesn't only apply to the stamps I used, but also the card techniques.  You see, years ago, I didn't use designer paper for the card backgrounds and back then it was not all that unusual for me to emboss images, which I rarely do now. I guess I just need to look at it as an advantage.  I have the knowledge to do old techniques and new ones too!  Which is what makes this card so great!

My Tina Tip is about not being afraid to go with "white" on your card even if your paper has a cream background.  It makes the whole card pop! 

Recipe:

Paper - My Minds Eye Home Matstack, Cardstock White, Pink
Stamps - Verve - Fancy Florals, Psalm 3:3 Plain Jane
Ink - Versafine Black, Versamark, JudiKins Opaque White embossing powder, heat gun
Tools - Labels 4 Nestiblities, Sizzix Flowers & Vines #2 (Swirls). Martha Stewart Border Punch
Other - Pink Pearls by Kaiser

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.  Be sure to check back in on Tuesday for another Texas Tues-Step card.  Happy Stamping!
Tina

Ahoy There!

Sorry I am a little late in posting today's card, but I think you will see, it was worth the wait!  A few weeks ago, I added a couple of items to a friend's mail order to The Cat's Pajamas.  I saw my friend this week, so now I have new stuff in hand!  Woo Hoo!  O.k. so I have stamps, dies, and felt (yes, all from The Cat's Pajamas ... more about that later) in hand but what layout do I want to go with?  I decided to head over to the TCP blog to see if there was any current challenges going on.  Yes!  I found they had a sketch challenge going on.  Perfect!  I liked the layout from the start, but it took playing around with ideas before I came up with my finished card.  I love it!  I hope they do to, when I link it up!  Let me get to my card, the sketch, and the details!  Enjoy!

Don't you love it?  As I mentioned in the first paragraph, The Cat's Pajamas (along with a few other stamp companies) are now making their own dies that can be used with such materials as felt.  I have seen the felt used on the blogs, and I absolutely love the look!  I couldn't wait to try it out for myself.  At the left, you can get a good closeup look at  the felt used with the wave die!  The small flowers on the left side of each square were also cut with the felt using another "cut ups" die from The Cat's Pajamas.

Recipe:

Paper - Imaginisce Splash Dance Line - Stripe and Reverse side with Fish is called Bubble Bash, Polka Dot is called Polka Dot Bikini, Cardstock, Dark Aqua, Light Aqua, Peach, White
Stamps - The Cat's Pajamas (whale with hat, small waves on squares, and Ahoy There)
Ink- Versafine Black
Tools - The Cat's Pajamas Cut Up dies - Wave & Flower Buttons, Cuttlebug Swirl folder
Other - Felt 2 colors, The Cat's Pajamas twine, Star Sticker from Stampendous, Blue Peel-Off marker from Magenta (marker was used to color gold sticker, making it a blue color), Pearl Baubles by Queen & Co.

Let me know what you think ... I love it when you leave me comments!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Viva Margarita!

Recently looking through my drawers of wood mounted stamps, I came across a few with a "margarita" theme. Some were sentiments and several were different sizes of margarita images. I got to thinking of what I could have holding a margarita glass and of course, the Cat's Pajamas bear came to mind! I have used this stamp for several different occasions so I decided a summer margarita theme was a must! Let me show you my card ... enjoy!

Came out pretty cute, huh? This background paper I found with the limes and strawberries was perfect! You can't tell it but I did add a little glitter to the top of the glass for salt and glossy accents to the glass to give the look of a beverage inside. Oh, remember all the wood mounted margarita stamps I told you I found? The little margarita he is holding is not one of those but one from a clear set instead! When I got to working with him, I found that all my margarita glasses were too large for him! Guess I'll have to do another card with them, soon!

Before I get to the recipe, I have to tell you a stamping story from the past. If you have been stamping a long time, like me, you know that when they first started having stamp conventions, we would spend days before the show making pins to trade at the show. This would have been before say 2005. Anyway, one of my favorite pins I ever made was of a margarita glass. This particular stamp from JudiKins was about 2 1/2" tall. To make pins, the correct way (I don't know why we thought this was the "correct" way, but we did) was to stamp and color your image and to then laminate the whole thing and then cut it out. I think we used laminating sheets for this process. The year I did the margarita pins, I added Diamond Glaze (same product as Glossy Accents) on top of the laminate. I remember I had to lay these really flat to dry because the glaze would just slide right off since I was putting it on laminate. I think I also added some kind of very chunky glitter to top of glass. They were a lot of work, but a success!
Too fun ... those were the days!

Recipe:

Paper - Lime and Margarita paper by K & Co. called Citronella Strawberry Limeade, Green glitter dot by Best Creation Inc. Red Dot by Bo Bunny, Cardstock White
Stamps - Bear by The Cat's Pajamas, Viva Margarita by Deadbeat Designs, Margarita glass by Stampendous (clear summer set)
Ink - Versafine Black, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Tombow #133 to fill in letter of sentiment
Tools - Classic Scalloped Oval and Classic Oval Nestibilities
Other - Flowers by Prima, Pearls by Hero Arts, Glossy Accents, Quicky glue pen, Art Institute Crystal Glitter

Happy Stamping!
Tina