Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Miracle of Life

I made this card for some friends of ours who just found out that they were expecting their first child. I thought this sentiment was perfect for an expecting card. Congrats Steve & Darlene!

Supplies:
Stamps: Unity Stamps - Perfect in Every Way (June 2009 Kit of the Month)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Certainly Celery, Delicate Dots DP
Ink: Sahara Sand
Accessories: Certainly Celery Twill Ribbon, Distressing

Monday, June 29, 2009

Yummy Cupcake

Another birthday card for a co-worker. Wow, July is a busy month!

Supplies:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pixie Pink, DCWV Pocket of Posies DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Ticket Corner Punch, Ribbon, Adhesive Half Pearls

Sunday, June 28, 2009

My First Unity Card

Yeah, I was able to play with my new Unity Stamps today. I made this card for a co-worker's birthday. She loves ice cream so I thought it was perfect (in every way).

Supplies:
Stamp: Unity Stamp Company - Perfect in Every Way (June 2009 Kit of the Month)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Close to Cocoa, Unknown DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Cat's Eye Chalk - Creamy Brown
Accessories: Primacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Dew Drops, Crystal Effect (on Cherry)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Dylan's Birthday

I made this card for my husband's cousin's 16th birthday. I always have a difficult time making cards for boys, never mind a teenager. This image is quite fitting considering he is working with his uncle to restore an older red truck. Plus I was able to use my scrap so this qualifies for Digital Tuesday Challenge #12.

Supplies:
Stamps: Dustin Pike - Monster Truck (Freebie), SU Wheel - Tracks, SU - Stars & Swirls, JustRite Stampers - Celebration Demi Phrases, JustRite Stampers - Medium/Large Numbers Set, JustRite Stampers - 15 Pt. Font (From 2" Wooden Stamper)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Real Red
Accessories: SU 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

JustRite Stamps - What to Buy?

I have had some stamping friends comment on my work with JustRite Stamps. They love the flexibility of them but they do not know where to begin purchasing them. So I hope this will help everyone!

Here is how JustRite Stamps work. They use a grid system on the wooden stamper and the centers, borders and letters have "feet" that snap into these grooves.

All of the stamps are colored coded so you can easily see what items will work with what stamper. Read this entry from JustRite Stamper's blog for more information.

Now that you understand how they work, you need to decide what fits your style. I wanted to be able to monogram and to use them as short cuts for sentiments on my cards. So I got the Big Occasions set.


This set gives you 10 different borders and centers for several occasions. I also like the borders to use for monogramming. This set does not include a wooden stamper, so here are your options for purchasing one:

1) You could buy the 1-5/8" Circle stamper, or

2) You could buy the 2" Circle Stamper.

The 2" circle stamper comes with the bonus 15 point font and a 2" center for this stamper. The 2" circle stamper will give you the option to buy 2" and 1-5/8" centers and borders in the future. The 2" circle stamper has two borders, the inside one for your 1-5/8" borders and an outer one which you can use the 15 point font on or your 2" borders. I have both because the 2" circle stamper was just introduced this spring. But if I was starting over, I would only have the 2" circle stamper.

Now as for cutting them out, the 1-3/4" SU circle punch is perfect for the 1-5/8" images (center & border as one item), but cutting out bigger items, you can use your circle nestabilities or bigger punches.

Next, I would look into purchasing a full font set. All of the font sets come with a 95 point font (good for single letter monograms), a 50 point font (good for 3 letter monograms and sentiments) and a 25 point font (good for sentiments). With the exception of the 95 point font, the other sizes have multiple letters, numbers, punctuations and flourishes to help spell things out. I personally would not bother to buy the separate lower case font sets because you can just use the 50 point letters as your uppercase letters and 25 point font letters as your lowercase letters for your sentiments or scrapbook titles.

If you are looking to just do monograms, then any font will work. Otherwise, if you are planning to use them to spell out names and sentiments, I would refrain from the Special Occasions and Trompe font. Although they are very pretty, when the letters are together it is very difficult to read them. I prefer the Times Roman, Brayton and Curlz fonts.

If you are planning on creating your own sentiments, I would invest in the Harmony Rectangular Stamper Set.

This just gives you more room to work with than just the center of the wooden stamper.

Here are some other items that work with the 1-5/8" wooden stamper: Damask 1-Letter Border, From the Desk of/Library of/ Kitchen of Borders, Wedding Stamp Ensemble, What's Cooking Borders & Centers and Favorite Occasions Borders & Centers. Remember, all these items can be used in the 2" wooden stamper too!

Plus, they have another small font, Small Letter Set, it is 6 points and is really tiny but it comes with tweezers to help you use them. I use these letters all the time, they are worth the money!

Also, if you decide to get the 2" circle stamper, here are some more options for this one: Celebration Demi Phrases, Girl Time Borders & Centers and Just a Little Caffeine.

Now if I have not overwhelmed everyone, there are other stamper sizes and shapes. For circles, there are 1-3/8", 2-5/16" (this size is retiring but is on sale under Dollar Store), 2-3/8" and 3-1/4". The centers of the 2-5/16" sets can be used in the new 2-3/8" stamper. For ovals, there are Oval I, Oval II which are retiring too and are on sale in the Dollar Store. If you decide to buy something that is retiring, just be sure to either get the set that includes the wooden stamper or buy it separately.

If you want some more examples that use JustRite Stamper, check out their blog, the gallery in their store or their gallery on SCS.

All these items can be purchased directly from JustRite Stampers using the links that I provided from above. There are other companies that carry these products, such as Stamper's Dream, but they may not have all the items and they do not have the deals from the Dollar Store area.

I hope I have helped to make purchasing JustRite Stamps easier for everyone. Once you receive your first purchase, you will wonder how you ever lived without them!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Monogrammed Paperweight

I was searching for new projects to use with my JustRite Stampers and I came across this blog entry by Denise Bryant to make monogrammed paperweights. I thought that it would perfect to make for my dad's birthday. I think he will like the fact that it has his business name on it. I always find it hard to come up with stamping projects for men. It was so easy to make!

Supplies:
Paper: GP White, More Mustard, Basic Black
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: SU 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities, Round Paperweight ordered from Photo Weights

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hey Birthday Girl!

I am sending a shout out to my friend Heather, who is having a birthday today!

Happy Birthday Heather!


Enjoy your day! Please tell the kids, including the big kid, to be very nice to you today! Remember, you do not cook on your birthday either!

Hanna Stamps Challenge #74

For this week's challenge, Hanna Stamps Challenge #74, you were to make a card using stars and stripes. Now how perfect are the stars with stripes in them??

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Cowboy Riley, Verve - Seeing Stars, JustRite Stampers - Small Alphabet (Sentiment)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, DCWV DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Oval Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop), SU Word Window Punch, SU Large & Small Star Punch

Monday, June 22, 2009

My First Card for TimnShells Digis

I am so excited! I finally made my first card using digital images from TimnShells Digis. Isn't this cow cute? I was also able to incorporate a new challenge that I am starting to participate in, Digital Tuesday Challenge #11. This challenge was to use blue, brown and bling. Since I am on a digital stamp design team, I thought it would be appropriate to do this challenge!


Supplies:
Stamps: TimnShells Digis - Cow on a Swing, The Angel Company - What's Moo (Sentiment)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Flowers, Brad, Corner Punch, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder - Paisley, Word Window Punch

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Pretty in Pink Birthday

They never end, these birthday cards! LOL! Well after this posting I have made 12 birthday cards which should be enough for 3 months of Wish RAK birthdays. Now I can work on some other cards!

Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers - 2-3/8" Stamper, JustRite Stampers - Birthday Wishes
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pretty in Pink, Pretty in Pink DSP
Ink: Pixie Pink
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic), Martha Stewart Border Punch - Lacy Doily

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Lovely Lilac Birthday

I really like the flourishes on this stamp! Definitely a feminine card!

Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers - 2-3/8" Stamper, JustRite Stampers - Birthday Wishes
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Lovely Lilac, Lavendar Lace DSP
Ink: Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Groovy Birthday

I really miss this color from the '08 In Colors! Thanks goodness I bought enough to hold me for a long time! In case you are wondering, it is almost identical to Papertrey Ink's Mellon Berry. Plus, I think the Papertrey Ink ribbon is better! Go shopping with them if you miss this color too!

Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers - 2-3/8" Stamper, JustRite Stampers - Birthday Wishes
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Groovy Guava, Groovy Guava DSP
Ink: Groovy Guava
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic), Martha Stewart Border Punch - Lacy Doily

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Even More Stash Birthday Cards

I tried a different layout with the Wild Wasabi birthday cards. I decided to use my new Martha Stewart border punch that I got on clearance at Wal-Mart for $8.

Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers - 2-3/8" Stamper, JustRite Stamper - Birthday Wishes
Paper: PTI White, Wild Wasabi, Wild Wasabi DSP
Ink: Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic), Martha Stewart Border Punch - Cornice

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

You're Fabulous!

Okay, I think this is my last card to enter for a spot to be a Guest Designer for Hanna Stamps. Plus I was able to use Pirate Hanna for Hanna Stamps Challenge #73.

Supplies:
Paper: PTI White, GP White, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, DCWV Rock Star DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Oval Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop), EK Success Corner Punch, Ribbon

More Stash Birthday Cards

I am really liking the monochromatic look of these gender neutral birthday cards! They are quick to make once I got the measurements right (right Heather)! LOL!


Supplies:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers - 2-3/8" Stamper, JustRite Stamper - Birthday Wishes
Paper: PTI White, More Mustard, More Mustard DSP
Ink: More Mustard
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Hey Sweetie

Wow, what a productive evening I had tonight while hubby is out! I was able to do the Corrosive Challenge Blog #16 for this week, as well as Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #11. I love cards that use more than one challenge! I am loving these digital images too!

Supplies:
Paper: GP White, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Real Red
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, D'Vine Swirls - Embossing Folder, Prima Flowers, Brad

Stash Birthday Cards

I need to build up my birthday card stash for Wish RAK since I am a birthday fairy. I wanted to use my new JustRite Stamps to help make it easier. I really like the way these turned out!

Supplies:
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa DSP
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities (Classic)

Monday, June 15, 2009

For Lori

I made this card for a good friend, Lori. She started back to Weight Watchers last week. I thought she would appreciate this card!


Supplies:
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Blue Bayou, Porcelain Prints DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Cat's Eye Chalk - Azurite
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Label Four - Nestabilities, Pearls

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Squirrel Mail

Here is the first card I made using the digital images from Digital Stamp Oasis. These squirrels are so cute! Ellie, keep them coming!

Supplies:
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Wal-Mart DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Oval Nestabilites (Classic), Ticket Corner Punch

Thursday, June 11, 2009

For Ryan's Graduation

A neighbor's son is graduating from high school this weekend. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use this free digital image from Dustin Pike. I also used the school colors and personalized it with the school's name just for him. Way to go, Ryan!

Supplies:
Stamps: Weathered Background, Digital Image from Dustin Pike - Graduation Boy, JustRite Stampers - 10 Designer Borders & Centers, JustRite Stampers - Small Alphabet
Paper: More Mustard, Garden Green, GP White
Ink: Archival Jet Black, More Mustard, Cat's Eye Chalk - Yellow Citrus
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Rectangle & Circle Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop), SU 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Thinking of Flowers

Over Memorial Day weekend, I was able to color and assemble about a dozen of these flowers to have on hand to easily add them to a card. I made this quick card using one of them.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fred She Said Designs - Fred's Flowers V4 - Dahlias - Outlined, Fred She Said Designs - Viney Flourish, PTI - Everyday Classics (Anniversary Set 2009 - Not for Sale)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Blue Bayou, Unknown SU DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Cat's Eye Chalk - Wisteria
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Dimensionals, Rhinestone

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I'm on a Design Team!

Well, I finally did it, I got on a design team! It is for TimnShells Digi. Here are their links:


They have some really cute digital images! I cannot wait to print them out and start coloring. Be on the lookout for some of my creations with their images!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Guest Designer Call - Hanna Stamps

OMG, I finally get a chance to apply for a design team position with my favorite stamp company, Hanna Stamps! For more information about the guest designer position, check it out here. If you know me, you know that I have been waiting for this for a while. Here is my entry:

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Tractor Riley, JustRite Stampers - 10 Designer Borders & Centers, JustRite - Small Alphabet
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Garden Green, Basic Black, DWWV Grass DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, SU 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Cuttlebug, Circle and Rectangle Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop), SU 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Double Slot Punch