Jenna's Diary

A few weeks ago, a co-worker's 4 year old daughter asked her, "How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?" She anwered, "18!" Then a couple days later, she asked, "How old do I have to be to have a diary?" She answered, "10!" At least the questions are getting easier to handle. So I told her that we could let her do one of those things now. Thankfully, I was talking about the diary! Jenna was so excited to hear that mommy has a friend at work that makes diaries. She is going to love this!
This was my first attempt at altering a composition notebook. I am pretty happy with it! The next one I make, I will cover the front and back page so it wraps around to the inside of it. That Scor-Tape is amazing but it cannot be moved once it is placed.

Supplies:
Stamps: Burst Into Bloom
Paper: GP White, PTI Plum Pudding, Unknown Striped DP
Ink: Versamark, Cat's Eye Chalk - Wisteria
Accessories: PTI Plum Pudding Double Stitched Ribbon, Cricut, Plantin Cartridge, Accent Essentials Cartridge, Scor-Tape

Whimsy Stamps Design Team Call

I am applying for a design team position with Whimsy Stamps Animal Collection. I found the posting for this position on Splitcoaststampers through this thread. I love coloring, especially animals, so I thought I may be a great fit for this company.

The requirements were to make a new card using an image of an animal that uses multiple layers of card stock and/or patterned paper and has at least one embellishment. Here is my entry:

Supplies:

Stamps: Whipper Snapper - Turtle with Frog, Papertrey Ink - Mailbox Greetings (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pumpkin Pie, PTI Vintage Cream, Unknown SU DP (Received through Wish RAK)

Ink: Archival Jet Black, Close to Cocoa, Distress Ink - Antique Linen, Cat's Eye Chalk - Tangerine

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Edge Distresser, Orange Poly Flowers (Thanks Mary!)

Hanna Stamps Challenge #57

I was able to do Hanna Stamps challenge this week. It was to use something metal. Okay, so here's what I came up with.

Card #1

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Sick Riley, Papertry Ink - Faux Ribbon (Sentiment)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, SU DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cat's Eye Chalk - Chestnut Roan, Hodgepodge Hardware, Prisma Flowers, Brads, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder - Argyle

Card #2

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Super Moose, Stamping Bella (Sentiment)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Real Red DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Swirl Clip, SU 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon - Real Red, Tag Key Punch, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots

Final Batch of Samples

Okay, I finished my last four cards to be used as samples for my class next Saturday. I am so excited! I have everything together and bagged up. Everyone is getting the supplies to make one complete card and I gave them 18 more images to practice their new coloring skills. I am even doing a raffle. I went through all the images I have received through Wish RAK on SCS and took one of each that can be colored. I have over 70 sheets of stamped images, some have two images per sheet. Someone will be very happy to win that, I know I would!

So here are the rest of my cards!

Card #1

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamping Bella - Partgirlabella
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pink Passion, Basic Black
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Colorless Blending Pencil, Cuttlebug, Embossin Folder - Happy Birthday, Square Pewter Brads

Card #2

Supplies:
Stamps: High Hopes - Jolie's Little Friend, Weathered, Fine Lace
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Lavendar Lace
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Regal Rose, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil

Card #3

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamping Bella - Cuppacakeabella and Sentiment
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Lavendar Lace, Bella Rose DP
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Colorless Blending Pencil, Papertrey Ink - 5/8" Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Berry Sorbet, Dimensionals, Pearls

Card #4

Supplies:
Stamps: High Hopes - Ice Cream for Two, Papertrey Ink - Polka Dot Basics
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Basic Black
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Bordering Blue
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Magic Mesh, Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Square Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop)

More Samples for Class

Okay, here are the image samples that I am making into cards for my class. I finished these on Saturday.

Card #1

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Bloomin' Beautiful, Papertrey Ink - Mailbox Greetings (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White. Mellow Moss, Porcelain Prints DP

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Nestabilities (Classic & Scallop), SU Ribbon, Dew Drops

Card #2

Supplies:

Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Coffee Riley, Stamping Bellas (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Black, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery DP

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, SU Ribbon, Brads, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder - D'Vine Swirls

Card #3


Supplies:

Stamps: Pun Fun

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink DP

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, SU Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots, Corner Punch

Card #4

Supplies:

Stamps: Stamping Bella - Stella has Something to Say

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Kraft DP

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Embroidered Flowers, Top Note Die Cut, Cat's Eye Chalk - Wisteria, Corner Punch

Accordion Folder Tutorial

I received a requests for a tutorial on how to make an accoridon folder. I first saw one on these when I received it in my reveal box from my big sister, Dawnmercedes, during Round #3 2008 of Divine Secret Sisters through SCS. I loved it so much that I made one for my 13 year old niece for Christmas and filled it with fun images for her to color for her cards. So here goes!

Supplies Needed:

• Adhesive
• Paper Trimmer
• Scor-Pal (or Scoring Blade for Paper Trimmer)
• 5 Square Backed A2 Envelopes (I got mine from Papertry Ink!)
• 6 x 11 Piece of Card Stock
• Coordinating Patterned Paper
• Scrap of White Card Stock
• Scrap of Coordinating Card Stock
• Adhesive Velcro Circles
• Nestabilities - Classic and Scalloped, the largest size of each from the small set, to be used in a die cutting machine (i.e. Cuttlebug). If you do not own any Nestabilities, cut two rectangles using your paper trimmer to have a layered look.

Step 1
Cut the squares of white and coordinating card stock using your Nestabilities and die cutting machine.

Step 2

Stamp your image onto the white rectangle piece of card stock. Using your adhesive, attach the image to the scalloped piece of coordinating card stock.


Step 3

Take the 6 x 11 piece of card stock, holding it the long way, and score it at 3 1/2, 3 3/4, 8 1/2 and 8 3/4. Fold on the scored lines and crease it.

Step 4

Using your patterned paper, cut one piece of 5 3/4 x 2 1/2 and another piece of 5 3/4 x 3 1/4. Using your adhesive, attach them to the inside of the scored card stock on the top and bottom sections.

Step 5

Take the envelopes and fold the flaps backwards, as shown.

Step 6

Adhere the back of envelope #1 to the front of envelope #2 making sure to line up the edges. Continue until all five envelopes are attached.

Step 7

Adhere the flap of the last envelope to its back.

Step 8

Adhere the stack of envelopes onto the middle part of the scored card stock so that the shorter part of the scored card stock is at the top. Be sure that the opening of the envelopes is facing out.

Step 9

Using a scrap of coordinating card stock, cut a 1 x 6 strip. Using a scrap of patterned paper, cut a 1/2 x 6 strip. Adhere the patterned paper on top of the card stock.


Fold up the accordion folder, adhere the strip to the bottom of the front flap. Stamp the bottom right hand corner of the accordion folder, if desired.

Step 10

Adhere the framed stamped image to the front of the folder. Only apply your adhesive to the top part of the image so the accordion folder can open.

Step 11

Using the Velcro circle, peel off one side the Velcro and place it on the back of the stamped image. Place the other part of the Velcro on top of it so the adhesive backing is facing out. Close the accordion folder and press on the velcro to adhere the circle to the front.

Step 12

Your project is finished. Fill the envelopes with stamped images or other items to give as a gift.

Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms
Paper: GP White, Cameo Coral, River Rock, Ginger Blossom DP
Ink: Cameo Coral, Old Olive

Onesie!

Okay, here's another card I made today.

I was asked by a co-worker to make a Onesie card for a new arrival. Can you tell it was a girl? I love making these. Here are the directions from Lauren Meader's blog to help re-create it. I just love her work!

Supplies:

Stamps: So Many Scallops, JustRite Stampers - Curlz Font (for words inside)

Paper: GP White, PTI Raspberry Fizz, PTI Plum Pudding

Ink: Archival Jet Black, PTI Plum Pudding

Accessories: SU Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Craft Knife

Wish RAK Featured Blogger

Wow, I am such a newbie when it comes to my blog. It's only been up for about a month. I cannot wait to see what people case from me.

Well let me give you another option to choose from.

Here's Garden Riley from Hanna Stamps. My order from Hanna Stamps came in today so I can play with them over the long weekend. I love working for a bank (hubby has to work)! LOL! So I also stamped them out to send to my friend Mary, #1volunteer on SCS. She doesn't have any Rileys so I had to enable her (Love ya Mary)! I needed to send her a Riley card too. Since I am challenged when it comes to using Kraft paper, I thought I would give it a try!

Plus, this card has a twin so I can bring it to my class on coloring with Prismacolor pencils in two weeks. I have been coloring several images to show to the class and I am now turning them into cards. Here's an update on my class, it SOLD OUT! I have 12 people signed up! I am so excited! Tanya, the owner of the store, asked me to teach it again in March since customers are still showing interest in it. With pleasure!!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Garden Riley, Ppaertrey Ink - Mailbox Greetings (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI Kraft, GP White, SU Real Red

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, PTI Poppy Red Ribbon, Cat's Eye Chalk - Lipstick Red

For The Birthday Boy

My nephew is turning 10 at the end of the month. When my order from High Hopes Stamps can in, I knew that I was going to use this image for his birthday card. It is perfect!

Supplies:

Stamps: High Hopes - Large Ace, JustRite Stamper - Small Alphabet & Curlz Font

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Garden Green, Not Quite Navy, Prestwick Designer Paper

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, 1 5/8" JustRite Round Stamper, 1 3/4" SU Circle Punch, Cuttlebug, Scalllop Circle Nestabilities, Ticket Corner Punch

High Hopes Challenge #17

Here is my card for the High Hopes Challenge #17. This sketch is also used to apply for the Guest Designer position with them. I really love their stamps and I would be honored to be on their design team. Wish me luck!

Supplies:

Stamps: High Hopes - Lenny's Love Knot, Papertrey Ink - Beautiful Blooms (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Bashful Blue Designer Paper, Wild Wasabi Desinger Paper

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, SU Barely Banana Ribbon

Puppy Love

This is a simple Valentine's Day card for my friend's other child. He is almost 3 years old so I can get away with it being cutesy. He loves my dog Rusty, I think it is because they are the same height, so I thought this image was perfect for him.

Supplies:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper - Puppy Love
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Real Red, DCVW Patterned Paper Spring Collection
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Brads

Hanna Stamps February Challenges

I have recently fallen in love with Riley from Hanna Stamps. I have received several different images of Riley through Wish RAK on SCS. I just placed my first order the other day to finally have some Rileys of my own. There are 14 Rileys heading to my house this week!

I was reading the Hanna Stamp's forum on SCS and noticed that they had two challenges this month to win the new releases of Hanna sets. This just happens to work out good for me since I do not own any Hannas and did not order any this time around.

Here is my entry for HSFBC1:

This challenge was to incorporate fabric into your card or patterned paper if you did not have any fabric. Since my first true "craft" love lies with quilting, I had plenty of fabric on hand. I received this image of Fishing Riley this week and I could not wait to color him. I thought this card came out great.

Here is my entry for HSFBC2:


This challenge was to make a card that was not square or rectangle. I received some Top Note die cuts from Wish RAK and someone cut two together to make a card. So I used Cat's Eye Chalk in Olive Pastel to dab onto the front of the card and the edges so it was not plain white. I figured that I could kill two birds with one stone and make a St. Patty's Day card for my friend Heather too, so I used Clover Riley for this card.

Supplies for Fishing Riley Card:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Fishing Riley, JustRite Stampers Small Alphabet (to make sentiment)
Paper: PTI White, GP White, Basic Black
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Sliders Die, Ribbon, Sewing Machine

Supplies for Clover Riley Card:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Clover Riley, Papertry Ink - Mixed Messages (Sentiment)
Paper: SU White, GP White, Always Artichoke
Ink: Archival Jet Black, Cat's Eye Chalk - Olive Pastel
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Colorless Pencil, Cuttlebug, Oval Classic & Scalloped Nestabilities, SU Always Artichoke Ribbon, Gold Stickles

Prismacolor Pencil Tutorial

At the request of my new coloring friend Janet, ormond on SCS, here is a tutorial on how to color using Prismacolor pencils.

Here's everything you need to get started:


A stamped image (High Hopes - Huggable Hank) in permanent ink (Archival Jet Black used here), Prismacolor pencils, pencil sharpener, blending stumps, sandpaper block, baby oil and a container with a piece of felt in it to add the baby oil to.

Step 1

I colored the main part of Hank with Apple Green. Make sure to color him completely as the color does not spread like it does when you use watercolor pencils.

Step 2

Using your blending stump, dab it into the container to pick up a little bit of baby oil. In a circular motion, go over the entire colored image. Go back to the container to get more baby oil as needed to help you blend better.

Notice the blended look above Hank's belly, that is where I have blended. You can still see the pencil lines in the places that I have not. Here is Hank after his whole body has been blended:

Step 3

Using Dark Green, add color to the areas that you want shaded. On Hank, I have outlined his head, nose, lip, body, belly and feet.

Step 4

Using your blending stumps, go over the Dark Green lines, pulling the darker color towards the inside lighter color. If it is not dark enough after you have blended it, use your pencil to add more color and re-blend to achieve the desired look.

Step 5

Using Canary Yellow, color in the wings. When using lighter colors, it is hard to tell if you colored in all the area as well as if you blended all of it.

Step 6

Using Orange, color in the top part of the wings and color over the lines on the wings to add color and depth to them.

Blend until you like the look of the wings.

Step 7

Color in the finger and toe nails using Cream and color in the horns using Beige. I personally do not shade these areas since they are too small.

Step 8

Using Cool Gray 50%, outline along the bottom of Hank to form a shadow where he is standing. Blend the color away from the image, spreading the color outwards.

Step 9

Here is your finished image.

I hope you will know try this technique. It is so much fun! It makes you feel like a kid again to enjoy coloring.

If you are looking for a place to purchase these supplies, check out Dick Blick. You can get your Prismacolor pencils, blending stumps, sandpaper blocks and pencil sharpener directly from them at reasonable prices and with quick delivery.

Playing in the Snow

Well, I had an accident with my brand new snowmobile about 2 weeks ago up in New Hampshire, a stump tripped me. LOL! I am okay but my new sled needed a lot of repair work. When I got it back last weekend, it was all over the place because I needed to replace the wearbars that help steer the front skiis. Thankfully, our friend Steve just replaced his (I don't know why because they were brand new) and had a long spare set lying around. So out of the kindness of his heart, he gave them to me for my sled. My hubby put them on so I am ready to go for this weekend. We are heading back up to New Hampshire. I will be holding my breath as I pass the scene of the accident. Wish me luck! I thought this Riley image was perfect to use on the Thank You card for Steve.

Stamps: Hanna Stamps - Riley Snowman, SU Bitty Basics (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Archival Jet Black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Cuttlebug, Snowflakes Embossing Folder, SU Small and Large Oval Punches, May Arts Ribbon (Thanks Mary!)

Love that Moose!

Isn't he just so cute. I made this card for my friend's daughter for Valentine's Day. I send them cards for every holiday so they can get some mail. They love it!

I am so loving my Prismacolor pencils, I do not know why I have anything else because they never get touched. Maybe someday I'll touch my watercolor crayons, watercolor pencils and Twinkling H2Os again. I'm not going to get rid of them but I should dust them off every now and then and show them some love too.

Stamps: Whipper Snapper - Moose Love, Papertrey Ink - Mixed Messages (Sentiment)

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Pink, Bella Rose DP

Ink: Archival Jet Black, Cat's Eye Chalk - Eggplant

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Brads

Brightening a Sick Friend's Day!

This is for my friend, Sue, who had surgery on Friday. She will be out of work for 2-3 weeks. I know that this will brighten her day! Can you tell that I love coloring these adorable dragons?

Stamps: High Hopes - Seymore's Sick Day, JustRite Stamps - Curlz Font

Paper: PTI White, GP White, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery DSP

Ink: Archival Jet Black

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stumps, Baby Oil, Ribbon