Chalk It Up with an Attitude Blog Hop

Good evening and welcome to the monthly Stampers with an Attitude Blog Hop.   This month we are showcasing the fantastic new paper pack, Chalk It Up.  You've most likely come from Christy's Blog and have seen her great artwork...makes me want a giant cookie!   The blog hop is one big circle, so just follow along and you're sure to get some great inspiration for your own crafting!

 

Up first I have a layout I've put together using some of my favorite sheets in the Chalk It Up pack.  These photos were taken during our trip to Walt Disney World for last year's CTMH Convention.  We had a great day at EPCOT...particularly the French Pavilion with all its great pastries!

 

 

Stamps: Great Job

Inks: Slate, Whisper

Papers: Chalk It Up, Kraft, Slate, Whisper, Teal Glitter pack

Markers: Chalk

Accessories: White Enamel Stars, Chalk It Up Picture My Life

Tools: Score Board, Artiste and Artbooking Cricut cartridges, Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 #3

 

I've used one of the 4x6 cards from the Chalk It Up Picture My Life collection as a journaling box...on which I still need to journal.   I love the new Great Job stamp set and used the Chalk marker to highlight the stamped images, as well as the Kraft pieces of the layout.


Next up I have a card that I made for our local team swap. 

Stamps: Great Job

Inks: Lagoon

Papers: Chalk It Up, Black cardstock

Accessories: Scaredy Cat assortment

Tools: Micro-tip scissors, Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 #20

 

I used the same stamp set again.  I think it makes me nostalgic for my doodling childhood days.

 

 

Anyway, now you're off to see Sue's Blog and the cute little gifty idea she has.  Enjoy!

 



 

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Who can tell me what today is?

If you said "Just another summer day.", well my friend, let me educate you.


Today is actually the first day of school for our district. 
I know what you're thinking...

But it's not too bad, actually. Our 6 week summer is just long enough to cram some fun and travel in before the "I'm bored" syndrome sets in. So after I sent the boys off for first day fun, I started cleaning up my Closet...but then put together a quick card to celebrate the day.

Stamps: School is Here

Inks: Cocoa, Chocolate, Honey, Barn Red

Papers: Timberline paper pack

Tools: Micro-tip scissors

 

So here's to having a quiet house to myself for a while.

But all kidding aside, I'll miss my guys today.

 

Memorial Day Thank You

Good Morning everyone! I hope you're enjoying your long weekend.

Today, we stop and remember those that have given service and sacrifice to our country. Both my grandfathers served in WWII and my father-in-law is retired Navy...so while I don't really count us as a military family, we have been blessed by those in our family that have served. And I say thank you to them all.

Stamps:  My Hero (Hostess Reward only), A Little Thanks (retired), Universal Backgrounds (retired)

Inks: Chocolate, Outdoor Denim

Papers: Huntington paper pack, Colonial White, Outdoor Denim cardstock

Accessories: Durables Studs

Our scout troop is raising money for camp this summer. They have been working hard to gather flag contracts from friends and neighbors. This morning is the first of 5 holidays they will be placing flags in yards to celebrate our country. I'm proud of my scouts!

Card for a New Home

I recently found out a friend and her family are moving.  

Not far, but far enough I won't see her as much.  We used to get together to play games and have fun evenings with all the kids...but life has gotten busy for both of us and we sadly haven't been able to do that in quite a while.

 

I wanted to make her a quick card to let her know that she'll be missed... ...but that I'm happy she and her family have found a great place to live.  

She says it has lots of space...and with baby #7 on the way I suppose they need it!

 

 

Stamps: Chairs to You (retired)

Inks: Chocolate

Papers: Kraft, Colonial White cardstock

Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, journaling pen

 

This card design is completely CASed inspired by this card I found on Pinterest.  I used the CCR and Art Philosophy cartridge to create the house and heart shapes. 

 

The inside of the card says, "No matter what, no matter where...It's always home when love is there."  And I know that is just the perfect thought for my friend and her family.

 

No. 1 Dad Book Card

I have one last card to share for my upcoming Timberline class. This is a book style card that I've done once before.   It's for my dad, so if you're looking dad...shoo, go away!


Ok, not that I really think he'll see it before next month, but can't be too safe.

As I was going to say, when Father's Day comes around I have a hard time finding things in stores for him...or Engineer for that matter.  He's not a golfer, or a beer drinker (unless root beer counts), or a griller, or a car enthusiast, or a sports nut, or anything else that stores typically showcase for dads.  But what my dad is, is a reader.  Oh man, can that man read!  Growing up he always seemed to have a book in his hands.  Hmm.  I guess the apple didn't fall to far from that tree.

With him in mind, I made this last card in the set:

Stamps: My Hero (Hostess Rewards only), You're the Best

Inks: Chocolate

Papers: Timberline paper pack, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Burlap ribbon, Durables Studs

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

 

 

Inside I have a framed picture of the two of us...most likely very close to his first Father's Day ever. 

Awww...wasn't I a cute baby? 

 

I have some other designs in mind for Engineer using this same concept.  But I'll have to keep that hidden until Father's Day...I know he reads my blog!

Whoooo's Graduating?

A friend of mine, Trish, has just finished her Masters!  She has been working on this...one class at a time...forever it seems.  Even though she went to her graduation ceremony last month, she still had one class to finish up.  So at midnight tonight...she will be done, done, DONE with school!

I made her this cute card...which I have still yet to mail to her...in honor of all her hard work.  I got the inspiration for it from this card I found on Pinterest.

Stamps: Universal Backgrounds (retired), Card Word Puzzle (retired)

Inks: Whisper, Slate, Black, Ruby, Sunset

Papers: Whisper, Slate, Black Ruby, White Daisy

Accessories: Bitty Black Brad, Red embroidery floss

Tools: Artbooking Cricut cartridge, piercer, quilling tool, sanding tool, Liquid Glass

 

 

The owl is found on page 84 of the Artbooking booklet.  I cut the mortarboard free hand and sanded the edges to give some definition.

Now that she's done with school, I hope we can get together and do some serious crafting!






 

Happy Mother's Day

Ah, the mother of all holidays!  I get to sleep in, have breakfast served in bed, read a book without interruptions...wait, no that never happens.  Maybe someday...

This holiday is kind of bittersweet.  I lost my own mother 4 years ago but have since then gained a wonderful stepmother.

This year my birthday falls on Mother's Day, too.  So you know...double presents!


I made a special card to send to my special stepmom.

Stamps: Universal Backgrounds (retired), Simple Beauty (retired)

Inks: Whisper, Slate, Black

Papers: White Daisy, Black cardstock

Accessories: Sparkles Clear Flourishes-Small, Black satin ribbon

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge

I used the Artiste cartridge and CCR to make the piano base.  On page 47 of the booklet, there is a cut for a card holder.  It is Accent 3.  I welded a rectangle to the right side of the shape and sized it to be 5.5"x8.5".   And yes, all the keys are individual pieces.  It looked so much better than just drawing the lines.

I suppose it has more than one special meaning.  My mom always wanted us kids to play, so we had lessons growing up.  I don't play as much as I used to, but I can still sit down and make something come out of the piano.


My stepmom also plays the piano and organ.  So I knew this card would be just perfect for her.  I'm so grateful for her bringing music back into my dad's house!

I also sent her a Base and Bling necklace.

Dreamer Style Sheet

Craft Queen Charms

Rhinestone Charms

I used a glitter nail polish on the Glass Cover first to give it sparkle.  Then used one of the images from the Dreamer sheets for the image.



Well I hope you have a great weekend and gets lots of special treatment from your family!

A Bushel and a Peck

Another card from my Timberline class up for today!  Just one more after this...I promise.
This uses the same coloring technique used in this card...you know, coloring with a Q-Tip!

I think I may have to keep a small box in my office just for crafting.

Stamps: Country Born

Inks: Chocolate, Ponderosa Pine, Goldrush, Cranberry, Barn Red

Papers: Timberline paper pack, Kraft, Colonial White cardstock

Accessories: Durables Studs

When coloring the apples and the barrel, imagine where your light source is.  When I colored the apples, I started with the Goldrush color and inked a bit where the sun would be.  Then I added Cranberry to the whole apple and ended with Barn Red ink in just the shadowy parts of the apples.  The same applies for the barrel.  I inked the whole thing lightly with Chocolate, then added a bit more where any shadows would be.

Engineer is coming home tonight from his trip and I think I may have to do some actual housework before that happens!


Better get busy then...