Kitchen Sink Stamps Houston, Texas Weekend!

I was so fortunate as to be able to go to the Kitchen Sink Stamps workshop offered in Houston over the weekend of October 8 and 9! As soon as I heard they were going to Houston, I made the hotel reservation, and told hubby to take the weekend as vacation!!!

We used to live in Houston - so it was great to go back to some of our old haunts and revisit the city. I really loved it, and it felt like home... my husband was very happy to leave on Sunday morning and head back to our current home! :) Oh well!!

We were fortunate enough to be able to use some of the newest yet unreleased Kitchen Sink Stamps, as well as meet the 'Maker' of the KSS stamps! After all our email conversations, I was way too excited to meet Maria!!! The rest of her design team was FANTASTIC!!! We were ooh-ing and aaahhh-ing at all our new discoveries... and I know they loved hearing it!!

These are three of the amazing projects they planned for us!

Here's the cowboy hat and gloves set. SO perfect for Texas!


Here we are again using the hat. Makiko designed this adorable bookmark for us - and everything worked fantastic! The hat fit perfectly, and she had inked each one of the pieces for us to stamp on which gave it such a wonderful effect! "Thanks, Makiko!"


Here we're using 2 of the newest stamp sets together - and working with a masking technique. This is actually one of a pair of boots on the stamp set, with bluebonnets in the background. My table partner and I decided to add the butterfly for effect. We were experimenting with ink colors, and different layering techniques.

The best part about receiving the Bluebonnets stamp set, is that nobody knew how crazy I am over bluebonnets!!! I've got pictures here on this blog from our last trip down to Houston showing TONS of bluebonnets in the fields near the roadways! :) :) :)

There is ONE MORE project we did over the 2 days! Lynn designed a 3D gift box that includes the 2 boots. It has some really adorable embellishments. That picture will be coming soon!!!

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Kitchen Sink Stamps - "Snowman" Pumpkins

This isn't a scary Halloween card, but I did see this in Houston at the KSS workshop, and had to play with these images!!


I added a scarf using the leaves and vines and at the bottom, added some of the pumpkin blossoms simply so I could see what they looked like stamped using different colors and strengths of inkings on the stamps.

They really are WAY too much fun!!!

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Kitchen Sink Stamps - My New Stamp Set!

Well, one of many, at least!!!

I was able to attend the Kitchen Sink Stamps workshop in Houston, TX over the weekend of October 8 and 9... and had absolutely the BEST time!!!

I learned lots of new techniques, and ways of using inks I would have never thought of, THANKS Maria, and the team!!!



I loved the harvest set as soon as I saw it, and was able to purchase it at the workshop. Here's my very first stamping made into a fall/harvest card. Wait until you see the apples! They're really amazing in the bushel baskets!

Don't you think the hay bale looks real?


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Cards for Soldiers 9/7 to 10/22/2010

This Cards for Soldiers Challenge was to create Thanksgiving and Christmas cards! You might already know this, but Christmas is my very favorite holiday! I love everything about Christmas... the colors, the holiday season, the shopping, and especially the lights!!

I made 40 cards for this challenge - here are some of my favorites. I used a template by one of the other CFS Queens - a 3 sheet wonder!



I have some really amazing Christmas cardstock, so I got some of it out and started playing early with Christmas cards. :)










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Stampin Up Club Cards - September 2010

This is one of the new sets from Stampin' Up's Holiday Mini. The stamp set is called: Day of Gratitude. It includes 7 stamps - the leaf is used on the next card!

For this card, we used the new Cajun Craze color, and inked with the Early Espresso on the edges. The Top Note die is used to cut the matted piece.



This window card was only a little fussy to make, but it's SO pretty!!!
We stamped the leaves from the Day of Gratitude set in 4 colors, hand cut them, and then mounted them in the 'windows' we cut from a separate piece of cardstock. We used dimensionals to lift the cardstock to give the window effect.



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Lime Light Butterfly Project Revisited!!

This is the second go-round of our Lime Light Design Team project for the Houston Holocaust Museum.

Click HERE for the rules and regs of this project. I contacted one of the project directors the first time we had a DT call for butterflies, and she did say that Stickles was alright to use, though the rules state no glitter.

I made 10 butterflies for this project. Each one has lots of details... inking, Stickles (only one one) pearls, and rhinestones.

The last time Mom was here visiting, there was a big sale at Michael's, and I cleaned out the clearance racks (with additional 10% off) of the packages with 1/2 pearls, rhinestones, and lots of other goodies... and this was the PERFECT project to use those pearls and rhinestones.







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Tulsa "State" Fair Card Entries

Here are my three entries for the soon to come Tulsa "State" Fair. Why the State in quotes? Tulsa IS NOT a state!!!! Uh! That just drives me crazy... Oh well, on to my entries. :)

I've had these all finished for the past 3 weeks, but have posted them now because they were judged this past Sunday. When the fair opens, I'll find out if I won any ribbons. Oh, the suspense!!!!

This card was entered under the Basic Cards in the Rubber Stamping division.
I used lots of techniques, and some of the new Stampin' Up ink colors!! Of course, I had to throw in a little Cricut... and I scented all of the cards.

I used the Daffodil Delight and Poppy Parade in the new color line from SU on this card. Gotta LOVE the new colors! Only basic layering here, and I colored the Organza ribbon with the ink pad to match the pinks on the card. Yes, it really matches in person. I don't know why it looks 'off' here.

This is the inside view of the above card. The photo corners are from the Jasmine cartridge, SU oval and oval scallop punches, and only one layer.


This card is entered in the Advanced Card, Rubber Stamping Division.
I used LOTS of layers, and to get these 3 lilacs, I stamped 20!!! There's a trick to layering the Kitchen Sink Lilacs, and I had to figure it out!!

I used Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz from the new SU colors on this card.
One of the advanced techniques I used was masking, the layering of stamps, and I actually cut the ribbon to get the effect I wanted from the sentiment.


Here is the inside view of the Lilac card... it is also lilac scented. I hope they appreciate the scents!


I used this card recently for a swap, and loved it SO much, I recreated it for the Advanced Card division. I ended up using it the holiday division instead. I hope they appreciate the crazy amount of work this card actually entails!!!

This card is: Debbie Mumm Harvest Holiday stack, Cuttlebug Autumn folder, Stained Glass stamps from Stampin' Up, Stampin' Up watercolors, pumpkin ribbon, and double inked embossing with Tim Holtz Walnut stain, and Chocolate Chip ink. I also used the Define Your Life Gratitude stamp, and matted it after using the ticket punch. This card was scented with cinnamon. WHEW! :)


Since it is rubber stamping, I did not use my Cricut Happy Thanksgiving cut, but a very pretty stamp I've had for quite a long time.



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Stampin Up Club Cards - August 2010

Our Monday meeting this past week was almost all about watercoloring!!!! I LOVE watercoloring!! WHOO HOO!

This card, we used regular cardstock, which I'm used to working with using the watercolors, so it went quite smoothly. I really like how the stamp already is shaded, and it just needed some little extra touches to make it look amazing!! LOVE how the hostess stamps fit perfectly inside the hardware piece.


We really fell in love with the hydrangea, and weren't so happy to hear it was a hostess set! That waiting is SO hard to do!!! :) This piece, we watercolored on watercolor paper, and not being used to it, I had a harder time, though now a few days later, in retrospect, it looks pretty good!! We also used the Gold Lame smooch ink to highlight the centers of the hydrangea flowers.




This was a bonus project this month... it's an adorable little gift bag, using the inchies, and the small envelope punch in the new catalog! It's so CUTE!!!

These would be really cute in a clear paper, with colorful candy/items inside for a wedding gift bag or keepsake.


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Cricut Name Signs!

I've started the school year sharing a classroom with our Special Ed lower grade teacher and her assistant... so since I'm putting my name up on the door, I made theirs as well. We shall see how all these Cricut letters fit!!!





I used regular cardstock some pen-work, and LOTS of stickles! Each letter is cut at 4 inches.


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Thank You Cards

Beginning our new school year, we had some community members do some work on the flowerbeds at the front of the school. One of our "Partners in Education" also delivered some supplies for the teachers... so I made these Thank You cards for the staff to sign and send. I hope they know we appreciated their work and help!!





Stampin Up Ink:
Cameo Coral, Riding Hood Red, Purely Pomegranate, Rich Razzleberry, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive.
Stampin Up Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (Thank You)
DCWV papers
Sizzix Architectural Corners die-cut on the Cuttlebug.

I sure do LOVE my KSS! They always make me think of the joys of summer!


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Five Question Friday!! - August 20, 2010

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?

I never had nicknames growing up, but my husband has a bunch that he calls me.. they're sweet, but I won't repeat them here. ;)

2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?

I'm the oldest of two sisters.

3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?

Colin Firth - absolutely!!

4. What is currently your favorite song?

Fireflies - Owl City
Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?

Yes. Saving for a big purchase... a washer and dryer with the pedestals.
My goal is Christmas, but with other 'emergencies', I think I'll have to wait until January or February.

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CK Convention Card Swap - my card!

This coming week - August 19, 20, and 21 the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention is coming to Tulsa! I've attended the last 2 years, but mostly only for shopping. This year, of course, I have shopping to do, but I joined a 'class'. It's a card swap!

For this class, you come with 20 cards, and exchange with others, and you end up with the same amount, but 20 totally different cards! We will also make an additional 5 cards with the leader showing us some techniques. I'm looking forward to learning something new. (As always.)

This is my card. I finished them this afternoon, and have them already wrapped in their protective sleeves, ready to go for this coming Friday night's class!!




Here are the (numerous) details on this card!
*Stained Glass stamp from Stampin' Up - heat embossed with black powder, and watercolored.
*Gratitude stamp from Stampin' Up - Define Your Life set in Chocolate Chip ink, and double inked with creamy caramel and close to cocoa.
*Autumn Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, double inked with Tim Holtz Old Paper, and SU Close to Cocoa ink.
*Debbie Mumm Harvest and Holiday Stack for front panel, and inside 'inchies' on the corners.
*Stampin' Up Champagne Mist paints, oversprayed on watercolored piece for more sparkle.
*Pumpkin ribbon from Hobby Lobby
*Inside orange and white papers double inked with SU Pumpkin Pie, and Close to Cocoa ink.
*Happy Thanksgiving cut from the Wild Card Cartridge - Cricut
*Ticket punch on the definition.
*H2O brushes, and watercolor crayons.
*Watercolors used: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Green Galore, Only Orange, Real Red.

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Stamp-A-Stack August 13, 2010

Friday night our regular card club got together, and made some extra cards! We had some new people join us, and some ladies I haven't seen in a long time. It was really great to have everyone together!!

So, here are the cards we made... 2 of each for a total of 12 cards... and we worked from about 6:30 until almost 10:30!! I got home just as Leno was in his monologue! Too bad we can't do this more often!


This card comes from the Trendy Trees set. SO cute!!


Gotta LOVE the yellow and black combination! We had lots of fun with our punches!!


Doesn't this card look GREAT? It's a 'fake' emboss technique, and everybody OOh'd and AAAh'd when we were making them. I love the purple, white, and black colors together.


I really HAVE to get the Top Note die!!!!!


What pretty colors!!!! I love the purples so much... and Stampin' Up has discontinued all the lighter purples!! I don't know what they're thinking!!


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Five Question Friday!! - August 13, 2010

1. Have you ever visited another country?
I've been to three (3) countries... Mexico since I lived right on the border for 16 years, Panama right before I got married since that's my husband's home country and he wanted me to see it. We also went to the Bahamas for our honeymoon. We have many on our list, but this is where I've been so far.

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been?
New Orleans. I know some people don't think it's that strange, but it freaked me out SERIOUSLY!! I couldn't sleep that night, and driving past above-the-ground graveyards was too much for me! The voodoo shops on Bourbon Street were too freaky for me too. Uh!!

3. What is your favorite season?
Spring!! I love the spring - birds chirping, flowers blooming, everything new and fresh!! Christmas is my favorite holiday though. :)

4. What one song will always cheer you up?
Crazy for You - Madonna
Lady in Red - Chris De Burgh
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
I'm Not In Love - 10cc
and more...

5. What Disney character do you resemble most?
I don't know....

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Cards for Soldiers 7/24 to 8/14/2010

I signed up for 20 cards for this particular challenge since things are getting busy again around here! :)

For the first card, I embossed the light purple cardstock with the Romance folder, and inked it with both Lovely Lilac, and Elegant Eggplant ink.
The white cut is a Nestability - Lattice. Once I had them cut and embossed then I got out my Stencil collection chalks, and added some color.

I used the Lyrical Letters cartridge to cut out the I Love You's - 3 times... white, pink, and red, layered them with foam, and added red stickles on the heart.



This Love You also comes from the Lyrical Letters cartridge cut 3 times as above. I embossed the white background cardstock with the Candy Hearts folder, sprayed it with Tattered Angels glimmer mist, and then inked the edges twice with Pretty in Pink and Pixie Pink Stampin' Up inks.


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Five Question Friday!! - August 6, 2010

WHERE did this week go!!??

Here are my answer for this week's 5QF

1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
It really depends... if I'm dead tired, I don't move at all while I'm sleeping, and sometimes I rip the bed apart. Once I got so tangled, I couldn't get out when the alarm rang!

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more _pretty_.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?
MEN

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?
I don't really frequent them, so I don't have an answer for this one.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?
OH! I've been craving some food I used to have when I lived in Laredo, Texas.
Piratas, from Taco Palenque,
Tostadas Siberia's from Nena's Restaurant, and
Panchos, from Danny's.
I miss these things SO SO much! They really are delicious!

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Baby Kitten Pictures!!! **and 2 older, unhappy SPOILED kitties!

So as many of you know, I have 2 orange kitties... Hank, who's 11 and is more 'red' of the two, and Sandy who is just 3 years old, and was named for his color... also known as Sandy Panda, and many other variations of that silly name I gave him.

SO, I got a phone call from one of my Stamp Club members - we had talked about getting another cat since 3 is a good number for us to have, and I wanted a long-haired black cat this time. Wednesday morning, I got a call wondering if I could take two rescues. I wasn't looking for two cats, but I took them to save them from being put-down the next morning.

One of the two kittens, who I got a picture of, but will not post didn't survive the night, but the other one is doing very well!

His name is: WitchyPoo, Sir Rambunctious - since he's all black, and my husband things he's pretty active for such a little thing!!

So, this kitten is learning the ways around the house, sleeping a lot, and making the other two big kitties VERY upset.

Here you can see the baby eating, and Hankie investigating... what a difference in size! I forget how big my kitties are, since they are always my babies (to me)!!


Here's Hankie with the baby again, doing more checking!!


Here's the baby discovering the sun for the first time... and he laid there for quite awhile! You can see the shadow of our hummingbird feeder, and the baby chased it on the carpet for a little while.


Sandy is NOT adjusting well to being the middle child now.. LOL He's been hissing, but when the little one comes near.. he RUNS away FAST! It's WAY too funny!! Here's this big Panda, and he's scared of the little sweet kitty!

Sandy seems to have forgotten how he used to chase Hank all around. Hank used to get on top of the rocking chair, 'cause Sandy was so small, he couldn't get to him there, and Hankie would be safe!


I thought this picture was just WAY too cute not to share.


Hankie has just not been happy with this new addition, though he's a little more accustomed to having new family members. He had to get used to Sandy coming into the family.

I found him like this.... TRYING to hide under the sofa.... all I saw was this big kitty's hind-end... "Silly Hankie!"


with only his head under the sofa! They are low enough to the ground that the bigger kitties can't get under the new furniture... so that's all that fit.. his head! LOL



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Stampin' Up Club Cards - July 2010

Our July card club was SO much fun!!! Thanks to Kathy, as always!! Our first card was this ice cream sundae, stamped with the Sweet Scoops stamp set. We used lots of GREAT techniques, and had fun playing with the Kissing technique. Don't you LOVE how my cherry is way too high for the ice cream scoops? :)

Kathy found these little wooden spoons for us to use on the card... isn't she AWESOME??!!


This flower is made with the Ornament Punch!!! Isn't that amazing! It consists of 18 punched ornaments, 2 smaller circles, and 3 green leaves! We then sprayed it with some of the glimmer mists from SU's fall catalog. I still have a crystal to add to the center. It is attached to a band that goes around a pillow box (not visible in the picture).



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