Christmas Time Is Here

Well, not really. But I do have lots of carols stuck in my head that just won't go away! This past week, Loquacious has been playing "Good King Wenceslas" for his piano lessons and it has magically put me in the mood for Christmas. I say "magically" because it is still hot, hot, hot here! Can't wait for the seasons to change...as much as they do here, anyway.

So while I was in this festive mood, I thought maybe I could get a couple of Christmas cards started and finished before the boys got home from school. I whipped these up and I barely made it before the bus came, but that was because Knock-Out needed help on the Wii every 10 minutes.



Stamps: CTMH Everyday Celebrations
Inks: CTMH Cranberry, New England Ivy
Papers: CTMH Evensong Reflections Kit

Hey, wait a minute. Are you having a feeling of deja vous? Are you thinking you've seen this somewhere before?

Don't fret. Just wanted to show you how versatile this card kit really is. I added Sparkles intead of brads, changed things up a little, but it's basically the same cards with different papers. I made a template of the card bases so I can use the bracket stamp over and over with other cards...neat, huh?

There is still time to get your own card kit, but remember they are only available while supplies last. I checked this morning and the supply is down to 85%. You don't want to wait too long though.
It would be for you not to get your own!

Move Over Rico Suave

Okay, you know from the post about my chocolate birthday card that I have a slight desire for chocolate.
Just slightly. But you know what? I'm not the only one in the house that shares my...love for the sweet stuff. It seems Knock-Out has inherited some of my shameful tendencies for this guilty pleasure.

I introduce to you his alter-ego, Choco Suave!


Stamps: CTMH Everyday Celebration, Building Block Alphabet
Inks: CTMH Chocolate
Papers: CTMH Everyday Celebration, Chocolate, Colonial White





I can't tell you how much I wanted some chocolate after making this...I swear, the paper started smelling like chocolate to me.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking...

Punch Give Away!

Anybody like punches?

No, not that kind! I'm talking about those wonderful Martha Stewart paper punches that have taken over the crafting world.


Well, over in Froggaritavile, one of two wonderful punches and the coordinating corner punch are up for grabs in a super blog candy give away!

It's open until September 11 and open to everyone, so get over there and get some punches!

Oh, you know what I mean!

Everyday Celebrations

Please excuse my while I conduct a little business...ahem...


That time of year is almost here again...National Stamping Month

A couple of years ago, CTMH decided there needed to be a whole month dedicated to the joy of stamping. And why not? If I had my way, stamping would be celebrated all year! Wait, I already do that, don't I. So since then, every year starting in August (to give you plenty of time to get ready), they have released a card kit full of exclusive papers, stamp sets and one of a kind cutting guides. This year is no exception.


Let me introduce to you the Everyday Celebration card kit:


Stamps: CTMH Everyday Celebrations
Inks: CTMH Chocolate, Dutch Blue
Papers: CTMH Everyday Celebrations


It is available right now and lasts through the end of September, which is the actual National Stamping Month month. But it is only while supplies last, so if this interests you in any way...you'd better hurry and get one for yourself! There are several ways you can even get this kit FREE! And who doesn't like free?


This card kit comes with everything you need to make 2 of each type of card shown...well, except for blocks...but I've got that covered. Always looking out for you.

I loved these papers so much though, I wanted to make more than just cards. So I only made one set of the 8 cards and saved the rest for scrapbook layouts. One of which I'll be showing you tomorrow.

If Gardening Makes You Look Like That, Hand Me That Shovel

Well, it's been a couple of busy days this last week and I've not taken the time to sit and blog. But that can only mean I've been crafting, right?! Wait, and doing laundry...and cooking...homework with the boys...occasionally I'll get to sit and breathe.

What was I talking about?

Crafting! Oh, yes!

I have something that I've forgotten to share with you all. It is the other card for my Above/Below swap. I made this for Vicki after looking around her blog. She and I like a lot of the same stamp companies...unfortunately I don't have anything from them!

It's a good thing I have about a thousand other stamps I could use!

How many hours would you need to garden to look like Ms. Gardner here?


Stamps: CTMH Ms. Gardner
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa
Papers: CTMH Emporium Reflections Kit


I used the paper tole technique again to give things more dimension. I think I'm addicted to doing this. I've done it on almost all my projects I've been working on lately.




I haven't ever tried gardening, I leave that to Engineer. But I think if it was like this, instead of this, I would want to get outside more often. Right now, I have no desire to step out of the house while the sun is still up! All I can say is Autumn can not get here fast enough for me!

Ok, enough rambling...back to work!

Cool Cat

Part of the fun of belonging to some online stamping groups is doing swaps. In our CopicCabana group, we've started an Above/Below swap. This means when you sign up to join that particular swap, you make one card for the person above your name on the list and one card for the person below your name. I thought it would be a lot easier than making 10 of the same card to swap with a big group like I normally do every month. Two cards instead of ten, has to be quicker and easier, right?


Then I sat down and tried to make them. Have you ever made a card specially for someone you've never met? Not as easy as it sounds. So after visiting their blogs to get ideas, I got to work.

I don't usually use purples, but after looking at Billie's blog I figured it might be OK to use on her card. And I know she likes going to the beach, so after searching through all my non existent beach stamps, hey I live in the desert, I settled for this digi stamp I got a while ago.


Stamps: Hambo Stamps Cool Cat
Papers: CTMH Whoops-a-Daisy Reflections Kit

For this card I wanted to get a 3-D effect so I printed out several images and used a "paper tole" technique...which is just a fancy-shmancy name for paper layering. It works best with images that have lots of elements to it. In between each layer is one tiny piece of cardstock, which gives it just enough height without using expensive pop dots or dimensional tape. It does take longer to make, but I sure looks more interesting when it's done!

Here is a side view to get a better idea of the effect



I coated the sunglasses with Liquid Glass from CTMH and used a glitter pen on the drink to make it sparkle...makes me thirsty for some lemonade.

So I've got to get off to the Post and get this mailed...if it sits around here too long I might not want to send it!

My Strawberry Alarm Clock

Did I get another song stuck in your head? I've had 80's songs running through mine all yesterday. Maybe it's time to move on to 60's music?

I made this for my unit's monthly card swap, happening in a couple of hours. So all you lurkers and stalkers (Wendy and Trish), surely you won't be up this early and this will be a surprise for you!


Stamps: CTMH Treetops, True Happiness
Inks: CTMH Garden Green, Olive, New England Ivy, Outdoor Denim, Brown Bag
Papers: CTMH Colonial White, Olive, New England Ivy, Brown Bag

I visit CTMH's top lady Jeanette Lynton's blog every Monday to see her Color Me Monday posts. She always has a color challange for everyone and when I saw her "Congratulations" card, I knew it would be easy to use for my cards.

Of course at the time I didn't have the Grown with Love stamp set she used...but it came yesterday with all my new stuff.

Don't You Forget About Me

No, I didn't forget to show you that last of the Back Country workshop layouts. I just got busy with other things...like looking through the upcoming Autumn/Winter Idea Book and seeing all the great new stuff coming.

And believe me, there are a lot of great stuff coming. And some of it is coming to my house...today!
Where is that UPS man? Did he forget about me?

In the meantime, here is the last layout made for the workshop last month.


Stamps: CTMH Rustic Alphabet
Inks: CTMH Brown Bag, Barn Red
Papers: CTMH Back Country Reflections Kit

The Flying J Ranch is somewhere my family goes every year during the Memorial holidays. It's a fun western dinner and show. Knock-Out may not look very happy in the pictures, but I think that was just because he was hungry.

The rest of the day is free so I might sit and watch some movies...John Hughes films, of course. I don't think the 80's would have been the same without him.

Shake That Booty

I have a friend that is about 9 months and 20 minutes pregnant. And I know how fun it is to be pregnant in this AZ summer weather...it's not. So for her baby shower gift, I made this card to go with it...hoping that she would laugh so hard, it would help the baby come quicker.

It didn't work.

Loquacious helped pick out the stamp. It was either this one or the "Shake That Booty" one.
He thought this was funnier, I have no idea why


Stamps: Inkadinkadoo Little Cupcake
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: CTMH Sweet Pea Reflections Kit

I should have made another one with the other stamp anyway. Engineer called me on Monday while I was doing the card to ask me if I felt the earthquake. I don't watch TV during the day so I had no idea one had hit Baja, Mexico. He said he felt the building sway and his blinds were swinging. A couple of buildings downtown were even evacuated! All this going on and I had no idea.

I think I need to get out more.