Frosting Cookies!

I thought I share a few pics real quick of the "top" cookies from each of the boys. As you can tell we had quite a varity from the joker to a "gingerbread man" santa! The boys all had fun trying to make the "best" cookie.

Here is a picture of them all frosting a table full of cookies. We play Christmas music and (almost) all of them wear their santa hats. Afterwards we all had some home made Christmas candies and drinks and then the older boys went out and played in the snow while the younger ones and I went and watched Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

I hope everyone has a wonderful MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Presents all around!!!!

Hi ya girls! Hope you are all done Christmas shopping, wrapping, and baking! I know that I am not! In fact as I am sitting here (in PJ's) I am getting ready to do my annual Christmas frosting of the cookies with my nephews! In fact, I should be getting ready, but wanted to get this up real quick as I do not know when I might have a spare minute for a while. I still have wrapping to do yet!!!!

Any way, these are some decorated tins that I did and filled with homemade snickers to sell at the craft fair. Each are filled with 5 bite sized pieces of heaven! You almost can't eat just one, but then they are so rich one will sometimes do! These tins are getting harder to find so I am going to be sure to be stocking up during the year.



STAMPS: Holiday Blocks (retired)
INK: Riding Hood Red, Yo Yo Yellow
PAPER: Ski Slope DSP, Dashing DSP, Yo Yo Yellow, More Mustard, Old Olive, White
ACCESSORIES: Silver Cord, Moss Grosgrain, Silver Ribbon (non-SU)

Christmas Cards

Ok, so I am going to post 2 times today! I just wanted to share my Christmas cards with you. While nearing the end of making them I remembered to take a quick picture. The main idea for this card came from Jamie Sears on SCS. I just added some dimention and some more color in the words.

STAMPS: Best Yet

INK: Basic Black, Real Red, Old Olive

PAPER: Very Vanilla, White

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Circle Punch, Red & Moss Grosgrain ribbon

It's the Holiday Season........

Well girls, it's the holidays! I for one LOVE this time of year! I love to bake Christmas cookies and candies, watch all those old Christmas favorites, and listening to Christmas music, oh yeah, how could I forget....now with my job, I've been working quite a bit (because of Christmas). After Christmas things will slow down and I will have time to come into my little room and play, but for now I just pass by and wish I some more time.

Here below is one of the things I made for the craft show earlier this month. It is one of the "Peeps" jars made with peppermint peeps! I know it's hard to tell, but they are star shaped sprinkled with peppermint. They are really good. Got them from Hy-Vee for all you mid-westerners out there wondering.

I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

STAMPS: Jolliest Time of the Year!

INK: Basic Black, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, Blush Blossom

PAPER: White, Green Galore

ACCESSORIES: 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Christmas Ribbon

Believe

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving last week. I don't know about all of you, but it was crazy here last week so I did not get much done other than eating and shopping! LOL Here is my latest creation for another upcoming Name Frame Stamp Camp. Both of my Classic Blacks are looking purple even with new ink refills. I think it is time for new pads!
STAMPS: Headline Alphabet (retired)
INKS: Staz-On, Craft Whisper White
PAPER: Textured Real Red, Textured Basic Black, Textured White, More Mustard, White
ACCESSORIES: Black Frame, fingers for tearing!

Whimsical Tree ~ "cased"

WOW girls! 2 cards in a few days! How soes that make you feel? It's great to squeeze a little time in for catching up real quick. I feel like with my new job I have little to NO time. What time I do have, everyone else wants it. Even my "nap" time! And I have a hard enough time sleeping during the day as it is. Anyway, the job is going great! Not too much stress on my back (which is my main concern). Other than a bunch of teenagers last night pushing & rushing the door when they opened for the midnight showing, it's a lot of fun.
Anyway, here is my version of Stampin' & Scrappin's card! Loved the idea of using this stamp for a whimsy looking tree.
STAMPS: Doodle This, Cute Converse (retired)
INKS: Garden Green, Close to Cocoa, Real Red,
PAPER: Real Red, White, Yo Yo Yellow
ACCESSORIES: Spring Bouquet Punch (retired), Red Glitter Glue

Santa Ornament Card

Hey girls! Hope you are gearing up for the holidays ahead. I know I am. Sorry I missed last week, but I started a new job. I think I am getting use to a different schedule now and will hopefully get my time management under control. Any way, here is what I worked on last week for my Card Nite Monday & Tuesday. I got to use my "break time" for prepping. Which I really needed for this card as you can see. I got out my coluzzle, which I haven't used in a while, and really put it to use this month. The girls really seemed to like this card/ornament. Hope you do too.


STAMPS: Jolliest Time of the Year
INK: Basic Black pad & marker, Real Red marker, Yo Yo Yellow marker
PAPER: Green Galore, White, Basic Gray
ACCESSORIES: Coluzzle, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1/16 Hole Punch, Silver Cord, Scallop Sissors

About those cards...........

Well, after working on these off and on for a few days they are finally done. Here are my 20 One Sheet Wonder cards for my card box. Some I kept very simple and some I went all out. This will be my sample for next months Stamp Camp and a Christmas gift for my MIL.

STAMPS: Eastern Blooms, Wonderful Words, Best Yet, Sincere Salutations

INKS: Close to Cocoa pad & marker, Pretty in Pink pad & marker, Only Orange marker

PAPERS: Close to Cocoa, Only Orange, Pretty in Pink, White

ACCESSORIES: Tangerine Grosgrain, Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Scallop Punch, Scallop Square Punch

1st Card Box

OK girls, the moment you've been waiting for! Here is what I've been working on. It's my first card box. Of course I still need to do my 20 OSW cards for the inside of this box. This is what I am wanting to do for my Stamp Camp next month. I really like how my lid closure came out. I punched 4 holes in the side and one in the back to weave ribbon through. I left it straight around the front and added a clear button layered on some Close to Cocoa cs and overlayed with a rub-on. So what do you think?

STAMPS: Exotic Blooms (love this set!)

INKS: Close to Cocoa marker, Only Orange marker, Pretty In Pink pad & marker

PAPERS: Whisper White 12x12, Close to Cocoa

ACCESSORIES: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Clear Buttons, Hidden Garden Rub-Ons, CAD

Something to tide you over......

Here is something to tide you all over until later this week. As I was cleaning I came across one of my convention samples I made. Now that it is over I can post it. I think this was one of my favorite ones I did.


STAMPS: Embrace Life
INKS: Real Red marker, Mellow Moss marker
PAPERS: Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Very Vanilla
ACCESSORIES: Moss gingham ribbon, silver brads

Not forgotten..............

Sorry girls, but it has been one of those busy weeks. And no matter how quick I try to get things done something else comes up and I can't get to stamping let alone off to see your wonderful new creations for the week. I will do double time next week. See you then.

Snow Frame

Here is what I worked on today to show for my next Stamp Camp. This will be the 3rd time for this Stamp Camp. (it's always requested) So for something different for the girls who have done this before I suggested using a theme for the frames. This is part of my 5 months of Christmas Stamp Camps. I am showing them to my Card Nite girls this week. I used one of them MANY frames like this one that my Grandma gave me when she down sized to move to Florida.

STAMPS: Big Deal Alphabet, Jolliest Time of the Year, Snowflake wheel, En Francias BG

INKS: Blue Bayou, Staz On, Real Red& Only Orange& Going Gray& Creamy Caramel markers

PAPER: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, White

ACCESSORIES: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Wheel Handle, Powder Pal, Grandma's Frame

Blue Blossoms

Got some Ski Slope DSP in and the En Francais BG and just thought they would look good together. After playing around with some ideas, this is what I came up with. I wanted to use the stamp from Eastern Blooms, but after stamping it with the craft white it did not show very well and I had no white embossing powder. So I did the next best thing, I used some rub-ons from the Hidden Garden. I ended up using 3 altogether! I also stamped and cut out some flowers and used dimensionals to put them on. Next I folded down and crumpled the corner and used some hemp to tie it all together. I also roughened up the top with my fingernail. Sorry the picture doesn't do it justice here. Looks alot better in person.

STAMPS: Eastern Blooms, En Francais

INKS: Pacific Point

PAPER: Pacific Point

ACCESSORIES: Ski Slope DSP, Hidden Garden Rub-Ons, Hemp Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals

"Rubbed" Mummy

I've seen a card like this on "prayer& stamps" blog. I just changed a few things. For one, I have a few workshops coming up and one wants to see rub-ons. So, using the Hidden Garden Bulk, that we got from convention, I rubbed some eyeballs! Yep, look closely!! I love how they came out!!!

STAMPS:

INKS: Creamy Caramel

PAPER: Creamy Caramel, White

ACCESSORIES: 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" & 3/4" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, & Hidden Garden Rub-Ons, sponge

More Bella Cards

Alright, here are some more of the bella rose cards I was working on. On the first one I cut out a rose and used a stampin' dimensional to have it stand out a bit. I just wasn't satisfied with how that looked so I cut out another rose and laid it along the strip and added a square on the bottom where I bent the end up. With bending the end up I crumpled it and added a button.

Out of the two, I like the second one better. What do you think? Let me know. Sorry the pictures are so blurry, not quite sure what I am doing wrong. The last few pictures have been like this.

STAMPS: Wonderful Words

INK: Basic Black

PAPER: Rose Red, Old Olive

ACCESSORIES: Bella Rose DSP, Earth Elements Colored Buttons, Natural Hemp Twine, Scallop Edge Punch

Summer Fun

Here is a quick little 12x12 I did for a Girl Scout group. We titled it "Summer Fun" and the girls all brought summer pictures to put on it. I had just gotten my Scallop Edge punch the day before so I did not have time to break it in for them, but they loved it all the same. They are planning on having me come back and do one in the winter for a mother/daughter scrap day.

STAMPS: Doodle This, Well Worn Alphabet

INKS: Pink Passion, Basic Black

PAPERS: Certainly Celery, Summer Sun, Pink Passion, White

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Edge Punch

Cracked Glass Friendship

Hey girls, I am back again with another card for you. This is made with the cracked glass technique that I shared with my Stampers 6 club. Along with the normal benefits of the club they also get to do a technique class every month. I actually haven't done this technique in a while and forgot how much I like the look. I really like this set too (wished I would of gotten Seaside Sketches also). Hope you enjoy!

STAMPS: Summer by the Sea, Wonderful Words

INKS: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac marker, Green Galore marker, Summer Sun marker, Pink Passion marker, Versa Mark

PAPER: Green Galore, Basic Black, White

ACCESSORIES: Petals & Pasileys DSP, Glossy Glaze Enamel, Heat Gun,

Thinking of You Bella Rose

Finally!!! After about 3 tries today it worked! I challenged myself with this card (and a few others) with some limited supplies. I ended up cutting out an extra rose (top left) and adhering it with a stampin' dimensional because I thought it was a little too empty. I really liked how this came out. Hope you do too. I'll post some others later.

STAMPS: Sincere Salutations

INK: Rose Red

PAPER: Rose Red, White

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Punch, Stampin Dimensional, Bella Rose DSP

Problems.....

Ok girls, I haven't been ignoring you or anything. I've just have had problems posting my pictures on here for the past few days. I will give it one more go tomorrow as I am getting frustrated with this enough for today (let alone yesterday)!!! Hopefully it will work or I may throw my computer out the window. Please come back by later.

Blueberry Flower

Alrighty girls. Here is my latest card made with my favorite color and I think right now, my favorite designer paper. Got to love all this lushious blue paper!!!! And who wouldn't with all the neat designs it comes with?

STAMPS: Sincere Salutations

INKS: Not Quite Navy

PAPERS: Brocade Blue, Old Olive, White

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Sissors, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scallop Punch, Stampin' Dimensional

A Broom 4 You

Ok, I know that it has been over a week and I am sorry. I do plan on posting more than once this week to make up for it. Just been very very busy. So here I am. I finally tried my hand at the "broom" from the catalog. Not too hard, but not one I'd like to make dozens of either. I think this will be my prize at my next Card Nite. I know, it is not current SU, but I don't buy alot of Halloween stuff and this is what I did have.

STAMPS: Booglie Eyes

INKS: Versa Mark

PAPERS: Creepy Crawly Designer Paper

ACCESSORIES: Black Embossing Powder, Glassy Glaze Enamel, Heat Gun, Natural Hemp Twine, Black Grosgrain, White Gel Pen, Brown Lunch Bags, Stick

Fall Passion

Finally!!!! You would not believe the trouble I had downloading today. So here is my card rendition of the bag we did at Convention this year. I did simple one and "step it up" one. I used the daubers for the colored one and just inked the other with an ink pad. I think I am really going to get into this set.

STAMPS: Inspired by Nature

INK: Versa Mark, Close to Cocoa, Glorious Green, Only Orange

PAPER: Gable Green, Very Vanilla

ACCESSORIES: Wide Oval Punch, Daubers, Tangerine & Chocolate Chip Grosgrain

Polka Dot Flower

Got to playing around with my Pick a Petal set and had some fun punching holes in one petal and layering on another layer of another color. I also used a button with some twine for the middle. Hope you enjoy. If you have this set, please play around with the variations and show me your creations!

Stamps: Pick a Petal, Sincere Salutations

Inks: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Papers: Barely Banana, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Accessories: Colored Buttons, Black Hemp

5 Months of Christmas Stamp Camps start......

5 MONTHS of CHRISTMAS BEGINS.

So get your naughty and nice list out and get ready to make a start on your holiday gift list.

Here is a look at what the first 2 months are going to be. For August we will start out with a set of 4 stamped coasters with gift card. This is a great gift for the office, teacher, parent, or anyone who "loves" coasters (and everyone knows that someone!). September will bring the Build a Brad bracelet for that special daughter, niece, or girlfriend who loves jewlery. This will also come with a decorative tin & gift card. Remember this is a first "sign-up" first serve on these camps. Sign-up deadline for Augusts' camp is Friday the 22nd with the camp being held on the 30th. Please contact me for more details.

I'M DRIVIN' IN MY CAR...........

Ok, here is the deal, my nephew is turning 1 next month and my MIL asked if I would make his birthday invites. He is really into cars right now so this is my take on an invitation.

This one is my prototype. Came out ok, but needed a few things. After playing around I added a thing or two here and there.
Here is my bumper to bumper traffic lining up on the "freeway" of my desk!
Here it is after a few moderations. I've added hubcaps, more detail around wheels, and of course headlights. What is a car without headlights? Did you notice the lines on the road? Look closely!
And here it is opened. I do think I need to add some journaling lines to write on and it will be done.

Stamps: NONE!!!! (other than I will add journaling lines)

Inks: Basic Black marker & Summer Sun marker

Papers: Sahara Sand, Real Red, White, Basic Black, Going Grey, Summer Sun

Accessories: Corner Rounder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

SOCK MONKEY!!!! I haven't forgotten.........

Alright girls, here is a look at one of the new sets from the catalog ~SOCK MONKEY. Isn't he sooo cute!!!!! He even comes with accessories!!! Can you imagine the fun YOU could have with this little guy??? This is a card I did for convention 80's Night!!! I had so much fun there. It was so beautiful to go out every morning and see mountains everywhere you turned! And not only that, but Stampin' Up! is coming out with some more great exciting things in the months ahead!!!!! So be sure to check out a catalog and get those wish lists going and plan some get togethers with your friends and get ready to have some FUN!!!!


With the SOCK MONKEY I did a technique called paper peicing. I used cardstock that I stamped with a background and then with the monkey and then cut out peices. You could do this with designer paper also. There are just so many different things you can do with him. Any way enjoy. I will do my best to get back in the weekly groove.......

Stamps: SOCK MONKEY, CANVAS BG
Inks: CLOSE TO COCOA, BASHFUL BLUE, REAL RED marker
Papers: BASHFUL BLUE, CLOSE TO COCOA, WHISPER WHITE
Accessories: LT. BLUE GROSGRAIN, STAPLER, SISSORS

Hoppy Birthday!!!

This is a card I made at a workshop last month. I used the coordinating wheel and water colored it. The frog I stamped on Certainly Celery and cut out and I just had to use those googlie eyes on him. I hope you enjoy it!


Stamps: Unfrogettable, Lily Pad wheel
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue
Paper: Bashful Blue, White, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Aqua Painters, Googlie Eyes

Box in a Bag

Found this cute "Box in a Bag" on Paula Goff's blog and had to make one myself. Made a few minor adjustments as I did not have everything used. I think it came out alright. Hope you enjoy it!

Made with:
Berry Bliss Designer Paper, Close to Cocoa cardstock,
Slit Punch, Tag Punch, CAD, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch (retired), Taupe Grosgrain (retired)
Sticky Strip adhesive

Faux Silk

Hello, everyone! I finally tried a technique called faux silk, and although it took me a few times to do, I really like it. I hope you enjoy this card.

Stamps: Weathered background, Embrace Life
Inks: River Rock, Real Red, Staz On Black
Paper: White, Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: tissue paper, Modge Podge, Moss Gingham

Soldier

This is my son Quintin dressing up in his war jacket and hat after watching The Great Escape. One thing I can say about him is that he loves to make up and dress in costumes. I've taken a ton of pictures over the years with all the ones he's made. I am now starting an album with them all. I think he'd make a great costume designer.



Stamps: Doodle This
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: HP Pewter Brads

Apple Pie

Oh wow! It's already been over a week since I've posted! I can't believe how fast time is going this summer. I am watching my nephews over the summer so I don't get to play as much so postings may be a little stretched. Here is a card we did for Card Nite this month. The theme was "Thoughts of Smells". We did a Coffee card and an Apple Pie card. I really wish you could smell the card. Everyone had a lot of fun making these cards.

Stamps: Canvas (background), Tart & Tangy

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Versa Mark, Real Red

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Real Red, White

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Apple Pie Spice, Heat Gun

Googly-eyed Frog

Alright girls, because I am still catching up with things and trying to get back on track I am posting a card I did during Card Nite in May. I will be back soon with something new! So be sure to check back often.

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Lily Pad wheel
Ink: Green Galore pad & marker, Basic Black
Paper: Green Galore, Glorious Green, White
Accessories: crimper, (non-SU) ribbon, small googly eyes

Sorry.................

Sorry girls about not posting for a while, but I was sick for a week. Come check back next week as I will have a new posting up for you! Be sure to check out my calendar for upcoming events!

Fishing Lure

June Stamp Camp

The Fishing Lure is going to be June's stamp camp for the month. It will be held on Tuesday June 3rd & Thursday June 5th at 6:30pm. These gifts will make great Father's Day & birthday gifts. The cost is $15 for the first and $5 for each additional. Sign-up is through May 23. Contact me at cjmiller96@hotmail.com.

(idea from Lynnor Goodwin: original by Sue Jones)

Bleaching Technique

Hi!! I was playing last night getting ready to show the bleaching technique at an upcoming workshop. I decided to use one of my extra images to make a card for my "secret sister". I hope you like it and are brave enough to try it on your own.

Supplies: Stamps, Versa Mark, basic black, sponge, SU card stock, black embossing powder, heat gun, aqua painter, bleach, corner rounder.
Stamp image in versa mark, pour embossing powder over image and shake off excess. Heat with heat gun until shiny. Be careful not to burn paper.
Carefully, pour bleach into the aqua painter and "bleach out" the areas of image you want white. Be sure to use fresh bleach. Paper will whiten as it dries.
Next, remove the corner guide off the corner rounder and flip upside down so that you can see the bottom of the punch. Start at the corner and make your first punch then slide over and line up the end of the punched scallop with the edge of the punch as shown. Continue across paper.
Next I sponged Black on the corners of my Lavender Lace flower and layered it onto Certainly Celery. I placed that onto the Apricot Appeal with the scalloped border and using a white gel pen I made dots along the bottom. Next I stamped Hi and then layered that onto Cameo Coral. Now it's time for you to try. Let me know what you think.

Mother's Day Gift!

This was one of my latest Stamp Camps ~ Paperbag Scrap Book. This is one I made for my Mom for Mother's Day this year. My sister, Dena, and I finished going through all our pictures to get this filled for tomorrow!!! Yep, it took about a week of going through, sorting, and narrowing down the pictures. Pretty sad when you notice that by the 3rd child baby pictures are scarce! We ended up having to use a 1 1/2 year old picture for my sister for a baby picture. (not shown as I was still waiting for her to look one more time for one)


This is the front of the book. Each of the tabs pull out for either more pictures or journaling. I used the tabs, labeled daughter, mother, sister, for more pictures. (not shown)
The first two pages: That's me on the left and that is my two sisters and I on the right.
The picture on the left is my two sister's in front of a lake (when they were not fighting) and the one on the right is Tiffany, Dena, and my mom taken in the rock garden in the front yard. (this is back before rock gardens were popular ~ not many people liked our front yard this way, but it was really cool!)
This is my middle sister, Tiffany, on the left with another picture of Tiffany & Dena in the yard with one of my mom's yearly snow sculptures. I know it's hard to see, but it is almost a 6' dinosaur! It has rock eyes & teeth!
The one on the left is my mom, (she's lost a lot of weight since this picture 2 years ago), my sisters at 16 and I could only find one of myself at 14! It was hard to find pictures of all of us at the age of 16. We thought it would be neat to see how we all looked at 16 since I am 4 years older than Tiffany and 5 older than Dena. The final picture is of all the grand kids!!! Notice anything??? 3 girls and 7 biolgical and 2 (one not shown) step grandchildren ALL BOYS!!!! All I know is that they had better have some girls!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Stamps: Embrace Life, Everyday Flexable Phrases, Headline Alphabet (retired)

Inks: Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla

Paper: Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss,Cameo Coral, White

Accessories: Ginger Blossom Designer Paper, Moss Ginham Ribbon, Vanilla Organdy Ribbon, Twill Tape, Tag Punch, C-A-D, Pewter Brads (from HodgePodge Kit), staples