Happy Mothers Day! 2011

Happy Mothers Day!


Valeire Ross, Doris Ross, Karen Ross



Our church, Bethel in Chehalis WA had a  Mothers day tea.  They asked for quilts and other handmade items to be brought so they could be displayed.  The tables were decorated very nice and Hats and Gloves were encouraged but  not required.  It was a nice day, well it was a nice morning, the tea started at 10AM, so we all had to be up and about very early.  I was fortunate to have Doris, Larry's Mom with me and my daughter Valerie.  Luckily she was scheduled to work at 3:30 pm, so she was able to make the tea.

I had brought some items that I had counted cross stitched and a quilt I had made for Valerie that she took to the Babysitters for nap time.  I also had made the teddy bear bank, the crocheted blanket and the crocheted baby sweater, hat and booties.

The planners had wanted us to bring things that had a story, like something your mother or grandmother made, my Mom was not that kind of crafty, yes she sewed me some clothes, but I no longer have those dresses, My Mom could however take a white sheet, a box of rit dye and make a fantastic halloween costume, she could go to a thrift store and see adress, and be able to create a costume.  I was  a bride with a white strapless dress.  I was Little red riding hood with a red satin dress from the 40's, just perfect. My sister was a nun, my brother an Ace of Spades.  So what I brought to share were the things that I had made for Valerie, and the counted cross stitch items that I have made over the years.

I have a few more photos of the other items that were on display, I will post those another time.

Happy Mothers Day!

Masking technique

2 step rose stamp set

These are cards that I completed a while back, but thought I'd share them with you today.  I used glossy cardstock, and a 3x3 post it note.  I used cosmetic sponges directly on the ink pad and worked around the post it note with 3 different colors of ink, dragging the sponge from the center outwards, when I removed the post it note I had a white square where I could place the verse.  The flowers were done on seperate cardstock, then cut out and adhered to the card.  I am thinking the finished card measured 5" x 5"

On this one I used a large butterfly stamp and purposely stamped the image off of the card edge, because the colors were softer I was able to stamp the verse in both the white area and the background area.

Looks Like Spring stam set

The colors on this one are brighter, I went over the areas several times with the colors, it was tricky to keep the red from blending totally into the lighter beige shade of ink.  The flower was stamped seperately then punched out with the scallopped circle, leaves were cut out and attached.

To get the solid color I used the post it note, but then added the yellow with a brayer.  I don't know who makes the buttefly stamp as I can not find it right now to identify it.

March Card Class

This is the first card we made at my monthly card class.  This stamp is from Art Impressions.  I used to like to color in images, but these are just too small and too many, so instead we stamped this on glossy card stock, in Rich Razzleberry ink then trimed it to fit the Almost Artichoke we used the Fiskars Lace punch for the corners.  the card base is also Rich Razzleberry and we embossed with black embossing powder the words.  The left side has an orange strip crimped with another layer of background paper punched with the Stampin Up edge punch.  Then a ribbon tied over all of the layers before the main image was added with the dimensionals, or as we call them "Puffy dots".

The next card is a baby card, one that I designed while at Ladies Craft Night in January, this time instead of using the hands and feet stamp from the set I'm Here, I used the regular roller called Sweet Feet.  I used the Kiwi Kiss Ink and cardstock. along with brown for accents

The final card feels like spring, I used Pick a Petal and a soft palette of Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink.  Again I used the glossy card stock.  We made layered flowers using one of the flowers from the set, and then punching out smaller flowers, then using brads to attach them.  I piecered the paper on both sides to add a little extra interest, I used the Stampin Up piercing mat to get the holes to be even and straight.  I punched every other hole.  I rolled the background with the Jumbo Roller, Speckled in the certainly celery ink.

In the Wild part 3

Thanks for looking at the final installment of In the Wild.  Card stock on this one is Marina Mist, it was already cut to this size so I just worked around it. Rolled the card with the Jumbo speckled roller.   Elephant was stamped in Early Espresso the words are from a Stampin Up set called Best Yet.  Again I used the Fiskars lace corner punch.  An easy card that again has a masculine feel to it.

If the Zebra is my favorite image from this set, then the Elephant is my 2nd favorite, it is large and can be used in many ways, if I wanted to cut it out, it would be fairly easy and again in the darker colors it is masculine, but if I stamp it in pink or then it is feminine.  And I have done a card I called Pink Elephants on Parade. Must have been watching Dumbo.

Who can go wrong with Orange and Purple?  Elegant Eggplant ink and cardstock scraps along with scraps of orange-ish background paper.  I liked the idea of the eyelets set on a scrap, so I did it again, time using the scallop scissors on the edges.

The 'ribbon' on the bottom of the card is actually a skinny strip of cardstock, it was laying on the table and I thought hmmmmm.  Nice touch and it matches exactly.

This is a retired stamp set but not one that I forsee getting rid of as I do enjoy using it!

In the Wild part 2

Using In the Wild set continues, this time I was focusing on the Zebra in the set, I think that is my favorite image, it is a good size, not too large, not too small.  the giraffe is of course tall, and the aligator is long, the Zebra is Just Right.


Elegant Eggplant Zebra

 Zebra stamped on glossy cardstock in Elegant Eggplant ink, this is a really dark purple, almost black when I first saw it.  I layered it on  Elegant Eggplant and use the Fiskars lace corner punch. I took a small strip of paper and punched holes in it then attached it behind the zebra layers.  I used a punch that punches out multiple slots on an elegant eggplant strip.  The background paper is from a pack that I found at Tuesday Morning.  The card is Basic Grey using the jumbo speckled roller with the Versa Mark Pad for a little interest.





Lovely Lilac Zebras


Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant and lots of ribbons on this card.















Marina Mist Zebras

 This one I think is my favorite.  The zebras were stamped with Marina Mist and that is the card stock color also.  I like the eyelete interest as well as the punched holes on the scallop edge and the ribbon threaded thru the slots.  I used the Fiskars lace corner punch.  Again the 'tab' at the top of the zebras was a strip of cardstock that I attached the eyelets to, then added it under the zebra layer.  I like the additional interest and the fact that the eyelets are in the 'middle' of the card.

Cards from 3-6-11/part 1

Last weekend I wanted to Stamp, but I also wanted to watch TV, and there is not a TV in the office/stamp room, so I set up on the dining room table.  I brought out only 1 stamp set In the Wild and I had a bin of several colors of ink, some of them new colors from Stampin Up, I brought in only 1 assorted pack of paper, thinking that I could keep things to a minimum on the table (ya right!)  So I began.


In the Wild

 I had glossy paper out so I stamped a few images then tried to piece them together, and I was trying to focus on layers.  The ribbon punch on the right side was a punch that made 2 slots at the same time,   however this punch was horrible, but I had to finish once I began, when I was done, the punch went in the trash,  Maybe that is why I don't remember using it?  Giraffe was stamped using Crumb Cake ink and the aligator was stamped using Wild Wasabi ink.

Three, Three, Three

This card uses 3, 3 Cheetas, 3 strips of background paper, 3 eyelets on either side.  The cheetas were stamped with Cajun Craze ink, Card was also Cajun Craze.  Used the jumbo roller speckled in the same color ink for just a touch of interest.

Cheeta & Antelope

This cheeta is also stamped in Cajun Craze ink, the antelope is stamped in daffodil delight ink. Cardstock Cajun Craze and Daffodil Delight.  Words from Stampin Up, set is called Happy Everything and it is a cool set that I like to use.  I used the speckled jumbo roller on the daffodil delight layer with daffodil delight ink.

All of these cards have a masculine feel to them, and I like the way they turned out.  Come back tomorrow to see other cards created with this set.

Cards from Ladies Craft Night



I'm Here

 The last Friday of the month is ladies craft night at Church, they allow us to use a few rooms, large tables and you can bring whatever craft you are working on.  I have taken stamping supplies in the past, I worked my my king sized quilt top, and I also did the Trip around the World in Christmas matrial.  January was the first time we gathered since September 2010, so I decided to bring Stamping supplies, and I made a few cards, these 2 baby cards, the green I used was  Kiwi Kiss and it is fantastic, could go for a boy or girl.

Fanciful Favorites

These lady bugs are too cute.  The set also has an apple and citrus circles.  However I have only used the lady bugs.  I have done them in Red/Green/Yellow, cute for a bright card, they are cute in this pink color.

Bright Afgan II

My friend Julene shared this pattern with me.  The yarn she chose was a bulky, nobby yarn and it was difficult to see the stitches.  So I used the left over bright worsted weight yarn that I used previously.  I added purchased additional green, and added blue and orange to mix, trying to make it different from the other bright afgan I made.  This is a Star Pattern, and was not too difficult to make.  It measures approximately 20 inches from the middle to one star point.  It will be good size for toddler or baby.  I finished the edge with 1 round of single crochet, then added reverse single crochet and I like the edge it provides.

Super Bowl Stamping continued

I just LOVE this stamp set, so everytime I go to Billies I use it.  Tulips are my favorite, and just stamp, stamp, stamp them.  Billie has so many words it is easy to make each card different, but still use the same stamp.  both are very similar, I went to Billie's scrap box and found the background paper,  the red and greens matched the red and green ink perfectly.

Billie had the scallop edging in the scrap box, and I used one of her embossing folders to add some texture.

Used 2 different kinds of ribbons, and different embossing folders.  Another of her Fiskars corner punch used on this card.

I do love Tulips and I do love this stamp set.

Thursdays 'Snow' Card



Birthday card

 I like colors I chose for this card, the H was already stamped from, you guessed it Billies House, so I cut it out and used puffy dots (stampin dimensionals)to adhere it to the brown card stock.  I used the office edge punch from Stampin Up, and the file tab punch.  I secured the file tab with a green staple.  I used background paper and the scallop punch then used a slot punch at each scallop so I could run ribbon through.  I had the flower made from a template that Billie had and it covered a bad spot on the H, I played around with adding flowers but  I just liked the large flower.  At this point it could be a card for any occasion, or some with a name that begins with H.

The card base is blush blossom, and I used a jumbo roller with spunky spots in the same color ink to just give the background some interest.

I had the Happy Birthday element already stamped and punched out the the label punch, and tried to use it on the front but decided instead to use it inside. I also added a strip of the background paper to the inside as I like the way that adds a little touch to the inside.

Inside, another sentiment could be used

Super Bowl stamping

On Super Bowl Sunday, as soon as we got home from Church, I grabbed my things and headed to Billie's house for a fun Super Bowl Sunday of crafting. The game was on, and we mainly watched the commercials.  My husband has an actual Super Bowl Party here at the house, but I opt to leave all of the guys here and craft with Billie.  Larry's party was a hit, but I think I had more fun with Billie!

Sometimes I find the words first, then build a card around them.  This set is Pick a Petal, and I had never thought of a flower using the 'center' then using one of the circle images.  I do like it very much, then I added punched flowers.  I stamped a solid image (a small square), with the ink, then I punched out the flowers, so they would match, seemed easier than trying to color in the flowers after they were punched.  I used some crystals as flower centers.  I used a scrap piece of background paper from Billie's scrap box.  She had a flower/corner rounder that I used for the little daisies.  Card stock was Pacfic Point, pretty sure the ink was Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango. 

This was actually the first card I made that day, pretty simple, 2 colors, but don't you just love the tulip corner punch?  I think it is adorable.  I think the ink was Rich Razzleberry

While I was in the 2 color mode, I made this one.  This lady is so very funny and I just loved the words with her.  Doesen't she just look like a queen, (in her fluffy bunny slippers) and who would dispute that!  I used a roller for the top half of the card with one of Billiles irridescent embossing powders, and a scrap piece of background paper for the bottom.  She had a Fiskars corner punch and  that design just looked 'royal'.

Snow day card

Yesterday snow delayed my departure to work, so I sat down at the stamping table and made this card. Another baby card in an unusual color combination.  Bashful blue and more mustard.  The large initial was stamped a long time ago at Billies house.  You might think that I don't have my own supply of stamps and accessories to use, but I really do, I just have fun with Billie and am glad that we can have time to craft together. 

I have been trying to use more background papers and layers, and punches.  I think I accomplished all of the above.  I used a 1 inch circle punch on the front to make a peek a boo window for the little baby foot that I mounted inside the card.

The stars were in a box of punched flowers and other accessories, I do hate to throw out anything that I think may be useful some day.  Oops I am showing my hoarding tendencies.

I tried to add flowers on the 'b' but that made it feel more for a girl so the stars were a better choice for a boy.

Verse inside is from Art Impressions, something I have had on the shelf for a long time.  "Baby" was stamped with Stampin Up! Brushstroke alphabet.  Jumbo roller See  you around.  The little foot is part of a magnetic alphabet set that my sister gave me years ago.  Used my new 3 way corner punch from Fiskars, Lace.  Found it at Office Max in Tacoma, did you know they had scrapbook supplies?  I did not!


Closed so you can see the little foot through the punched area



Stamp class in February

This turned out to be a great card that can be a 'Man" card at that.  Several of the crafters thought that we were going to 'burn' the paper, but alas it was all done with tearing and with ink.  I started with a barely banana card, added a brown strip and stamped with a roller inked in more mustard ink on a more mustard strip of card stock.  The leaves were randomly stamped with barely banana ink, so safon ink, creamy carmel ink, and early expresso ink.  I added 3 eyeletes in 3 different shades of brown.

The next card was the pinwheel card, of course I did not have enough paper to make the colors I posted earlier so I opted for a brighter palette.

Green galore and almost apricot

Almost apricot and tempting turquoise

I used Versa Mark ink for the background rollers, used my oval punch for my word and my crimper for the pinwheel handle.  I used a large brass brad, like the kind you can get a Staples, these were actually left overs from my office. DSP from Stampin Up! one sheet, just reversing the sides for the pinwheel.

When I stamped these images in just ink, they were OK, but when I embossed them they became great. I used black ink and clear embossing powder for this card.  The card base was Sahara Sand.

Green Ink and clear embossing powder on this version.  The Red and Black was stunning while the green purple and barely banana were also nice.  I used a Kraft card for this one

Everyone enjoyed the classes.  And we had a GREAT time!

Long Beach Washington

Larry and I just returned from a short trip to Long Beach WA. We decided to take off right after church on Sunday, we packed a few items, and took off.  No reservations, no plans.  We ended up staying at this cute Cottage, and had a great time.  It was a 5-7 minute walk to the beach, we got there late in the day, so we did hike down to the sand, and walked along it for a bit.  However it was cold and very windy, so we did not stay down there too long.  The cabin was very nice, 2 bedrooms, so it was more than we needed, but since we were winging it, it was just fine.  We only stayed 1 night, on Monday we headed to town, and I visted a quilt shop and I did buy a stack of 5 inch squares with a few Fat Quarters, that I think will work into a great quilt.  After we ate lunch I said lets go walk on the Boardwalk, it is almost a 1/2 mile walk, and when we were almost to the end it began raining, so we took cover and waited for the rain to go away.  The beach is awesome all the time, no matter what the weather, so we were a bit damp but we dried out pretty quickly!