Stamping ReckLesley

A Sassy Pirate

2010-08-23T08:58:00.003-06:00

I pulled out my Prismacolors and Mona Lisa OMS for a change. Wow, I thought I needed to practice my Copic colouring, but I *really* need to practice with my Prismacolors! My 7-year old could give me a run for my money with her Walmart pencil crayons...

I was just having a bit of fun with some of my Nestabilities and coloured Kraftin' Kimmie's "Cutthroat Lizzie" to match. Some of the Nesties are then popped up with dimensional foam stickers. The embossed layer is a Stampin' Up embossing folder - "Square Lattice" and is quickly becoming a favourite for me, and that little belt buckle is from a really old Quickutz die.

I tried a faint gray cloudy day for the background, but apparently, it's soooooo gray that it doesn't even show up :)

Don't look at the colouring too closely (yes, she has a bit of lipstick "bleed", LOL!).

Hope you all had a great weekend. We "bunked in" at my sister's garage sale and managed to get rid of a little "junk" from the garage and make a bit of cash in the process. At this rate, I am determined to have a parking spot in the garage come winter!

Happy Girlie Birthday...

2010-08-16T22:10:00.003-06:00

I love this Francesca stamp from the Moonlit Whispers line at Kraftin' Kimmie stamps - she's perfect for little girl birthday cards (and big girls, too, I suppose!) I've used SU's Pacific Point and Pumpkin Pie cardstock to go with the DCWV designer paper (from the gloriously glittery Mango Frost pack).

Francesca is coloured using my Copics - still practicing, LOL!The cupcake stamp was a find from the Michael's $1.50 bin a while back (yes, $1 in the US, $1.50 in Canada) Now it makes more sense as to why I was so excited about shopping down south!

I also used a template that I picked up at Impress in Tukwila for the "faux stitching" - I haven't done that in a while - and my white Signo gel pen from SU for the "stitches". The "border" punch is from Martha Stewart. I keep promising that I'll write the name of the punch in permanent marker on each punch, but I've only done it for a few so far.

That's all from here, it's almost time to call it a night (*after* I clean up what used to look like my craft desk ;) )

Rock On!

2010-08-13T07:00:00.006-06:00

Happy Friday the 13th to you all. Hope you're all off to a roaring start :)

This happy little rocker is from the Greeting Farm. I've also used one of my EK success border punches and some DP from a DCWV paper pack - all "bargains" that I picked up at Joann's stateside.

I really need to fill out my collection of birthday cards as I always seem to be short really cute babyish ones and older "more-mature" (LOL) cards - most definitely not part of my arsenal. I suppose it's time to expand my horizons - yeah, I'll work on that ;)

The music note stamp on the inside comes from the Totally Stamilicious "Rockin' Frawg" set and so does the "Rock On!" sentiment.

Well, in case I don't post anything over the weekend - parties galore; quite remarkable for this "self-confessed" homebody - have a good one!

Draggin'...oh, sorry, I mean Dragon :)

2010-08-12T10:29:00.003-06:00

Draggin' kind of describes how I'm feeling today...

It's dreary outside and it's supposed to be summer, and these drugs I'm on for my back make me "odd" - I can't describe it really. Some days I'm drowsy, other days I'm dopey (yeah, ask me about the morning I didn't remember greeting my boss as he walked into the office. Ten minutes later, passing by his office, I asked "hey, when did you get in?" - hahaha!).

Today, I'm just blech - even the morning coffee that hubby handed me as I rushed out the door and the Timmie's hot chocolate that the broker I work for brought in didn't really get me out of the "funk". No worries, I'm not having the "suicidal thoughts" side effect - hubby saw one of those drug commercials for Lyrica and asked if I was feeling okay. I told him I was far too drowsy to make the effort. I don't suppose it's something we *should* joke about, but...

Anyways, enough about my "funk" - I think I might go downstairs to the mall and hit the toy store. I have a present to buy for a 4-year old's party this weekend, and if a trip to the toy store can't help... :)

Here's a fun cheerful dragon card. His flying goggles make me smile! Back when Dustin Pike was just getting his feet wet in the digital stamping world, I bought a bunch of his images (dowloaded a schwack of free ones too). This is one of them...

The image is coloured with my Copics and I "dotted" little pools of Colorless Blender from my marker to make the scales - not sure how well that shows up here.

The journey "sentiment" is "Define Your Life" from Stampin' Up. I bought this set for scrapbooking (which I have really neglected until very recently. I've actually been on a bit of a roll this week...), but have only used it for cards so far.

I bought the papers on a recent trip to Seattle and think they're DCWV. The border punch was a steal at Joann's.

Have I ever mentioned how much I *love* Joann's? Border punches for 40% off (when they're already 30% less than we pay for them in Canada)??? Plus, my 7-year old noticed, "Wow, they have way more stuff than our Michael's does!!!" Dropped a small fortune (except if the border guard reads this, then I only spent $50, LOL!)

The punch that is below the oval punch (SU) journey sentiment was bought at Impress Rubber Stamps - OMG!!! I could have spent days locked up in that store. I...ahem...spent a little more money there. It *also* punches the brackets to either side of the dragon. Oh, and they ship to Canada...

Here's a peek into the inside...

Man, I've been "talkative" today, LOL! I think the "funk" is fading... I'm even smiling now!

Bookmouse...

2010-08-10T13:52:00.004-06:00

Long time no blog...I'm starting to detect a theme.

Again, I've been stamping and colouring and making cards...it's just the taking pictures and editing them that kills me.

Here's one I completed just recently.

This adorable little mouse is an image by the very talented Elizabeth Dulemba (who writes AND illustrates children's books - I feel lucky if I have the time to read them by the time the kids are ready for bed, LOL!)

The mouse image itself is not popped up, but the books *are*. I'm not sure that I managed it, but I wanted to give the impression that they were toppling over.

It also happens to fit in with the theme of "READING" over at the Copic Creations blog.

(as an aside, I think I've figured out how to save my "watermark" thingie as a brush in Photoshop Elements. Next step, I'll (hopefully) figure out how to save the whole faded edges thingie (with all the settings specific to me) as a favourite "action" - I think that's what they're called. Perhaps that will make the whole editing process easier.)

Well, back to the job that pays the bills...sigh...

Squeaking in an April post...

2010-04-30T22:06:00.004-06:00

Where did April go? I haven't posted since the beginning of March and now it's nearly May.

I'm posting the Easter cards I sent to my niece and nephew back in Ireland.

This was for Jade:

And this one for her brother, Jamie:

As per usual, I've used my Copics to colour the images. I've used some unknown DSP for the background (and some of it was verrrrrrrrrry old), but have also used some retired SU DSP (the red polka-dotted paper). The swirly sentiment stamp is from SU (Well Scripted).

The little girl image is from Sugar Nellie, the jester is from Whiff of Joy.

So again, I *have* been creating, I just haven't been sharing (and I wonder where my 2-year old gets it from, LOL!)

Something old, something new

2010-03-09T23:20:00.004-07:00

This is one I made tonight.

I've been so envious seeing how some people can capture such soft colours using their Copics. I'm so heavy handed (and obviously tend to grab for the more intense colours first). I'm not 100% happy, but it's certainly softer than my usual work.

The image is The Greeting Farm's "Snuggle". I had to buy her since my 2-year old won't go *anywhere* without her precious "bunny", a well-loved bunny head attached to a small blanket. The head has been sewed on more times than I remember and it's even been dipped in an inkpad (a stain that I CAN'T get out). We've tried to replace it at least a dozen times with close imitations, newer "prettier" bunnies, kitty cats and the like, but I'm afraid it's bunny or nothing.

My biggest nightmare is the loss of "bunny" - she's simply irreplaceable!

Finally getting around to posting some of my older cards

2010-03-09T23:11:00.003-07:00

This was my hubby's Valentine's card this year. We are definately not the soppy sort, LOL! (well, he did propose at the tomb of St. Valentine, but I said no...and that's a story for another time!)

I used a stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie, a lovely Canadian company (and perfect for me since I'm *not* known for my patience when waiting for an order to arrive). Artist Annie Rodrigue's images never fail to make me smile. I love this card and all it's swirly nestie goodness - don't you think the die cuts go perfectly with Drucilla's hairdo?

More Amber...with an Irish twist

2010-03-08T21:50:00.005-07:00

I printed a couple of copies of the Amber Ink digistamp that I used yesterday, so it was easy to colour another one in tonight. (I told you I'm a lazy stamper)

I dug out an old sketch from Mojo Monday, and old DSP from SU in Certainly Celery, and put my new Amber to work - something(s) old, something new...

All of the St. Patrick's Day challenges on the blogosphere got me headed in that direction, so using a sentiment stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie (more new stuff....shhhhhhh....), this is what I came up with:The "nestied" deckled rectangle is popped up on dimensionals, as is the glorious Amber herself. I've added "twinklies" to her drink (to cover up the icky looking colour it turned out, LOL) and to those fab shoes using Stickles.

So Amber, when's your next release???

Congrats on a gold medal

2010-03-08T21:39:00.003-07:00

My daughter's school mentor is called Kaillie Humphries. She often comes in to talk to them about things like bullying, drugs, and always striving to do your best. She also won a gold medal for Canada at the Olympics in women's two-man bobsled.

A couple of weeks ago, Splitcoast Stampers had one of their Virtual Stamp Nights (which tends to run for 2 nights, LOL!) and one of the challenges was to use an Olympic sweater as your inspiration. I thought nothing would be more appropriate than to make a card for my daughter to give to Kaillie - she's hoping to get to see (and hold) the gold medal. Truthfully, I'm envious :)

The maple leaf stamps came from Michael's dollar bin some time ago and the sentiment is from a Just Rite Christmas set.

This is probably one of my favourite cards that I've ever made...and although I'm going to dread giving it away, I'm glad it's going to someone so very deserving.

Amber Stamps!

2010-03-07T22:35:00.002-07:00

Get this digistamp set for free and send some love to an awesome stamp designer: www.amberink.com I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

I created the scene in Photoshop Elements and coloured it in with my Copic markers. Don't look too closely at the clouds (or at least ignore how heavy handed things got in the middle, LOL!)

I can't wait to play with this set some more...

Calgary SU! Regionals 2010

2010-03-07T22:20:00.003-07:00

What a fun day!

I attended the SU! Regional Seminar in Calgary yesterday. A full day of meeting fun, crafty people who love to stamp. What could be better?

I'm posting pics of the 3 swaps I took to trade. I get bored far too easily to just make a ton of a single design, LOL!

This first one seemed to be the favourite, simply because of my ingenious (hahaha!) use of the ornament punch to make a pagoda border. I must confess that I came about it quite by accident while trying to sharpen the top part of the punch as it was making ragged cuts.

This one was the second favourite. To be truthful, I thought most people would look past it because it was soooooo simple (my favourite type!) I figured that if it wasn't snatched up, I would be that much closer to finishing this year's Christmas cards. Alas, they were all swapped out...but it shouldn't take too long to "whip up another batch".

This was the least favourite. I'm a bit of a lazy swapper and not one to get out there and swap (not that it helped with my back being in such a sorry state and me not wanting to take the painkillers in public - they make me a bit loopy (loopier?) ). Of course, it was also the most labour intense of the bunch - typical! What was I thinking when I decided to make a swap that involved hand colouring a stamp???

You should have seen some of the gorgeous work that was traded out - seriously, some of those cards must have taken forever. But everyone seemed to accept my trades with a smile and I didn't come across any of the dreaded "swap snobs" that I've heard about (and was a little worried about, to be sure).

Fun time, met some great people and got some fab ideas. It's got me all pumped up to start sharing again!

And the "Bad Blogger Award" goes to...

2010-02-03T21:47:00.005-07:00

Me!!!

Yes, I had computer problems, but I have a great friend who managed to round up and get rid of the virus that was plaguing my system.

My next excuse was my daughter's 2nd birthday...then I had Christmas...then January brings birthdays galore: Dad's, Mum's and my (now) 7-year old's.

But, I've run out of excuses and as the cards I've made (yes, I *have* been crafting, I've just been lazy about uploading my pics and blogging them...) have been piling up on my desk, the guilt has started setting in.

I finished this one up tonight. I really *should* be thinking about Valentine's cards, but I seem to suffer from this "illness" that prevents me from making the cards I *should* be making and takes me off on some other entirely different tangent.

The image, Young Alexa, from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design reminds me so much of my younger daughter - especially since she always seems to have a book and her ever present "Bunny" in tow.

I've attempted to colour the image (the little pink and purple bear) to meet the challenge over at the Copic Creations Challenge Blog: Feather Blending. I say "attempted", because I'm not sure I quite "have it", LOL! I think I've got the feathering bit, but my blending definitely needs some work!

I had fun making the ribbon flower. I'm so "ribbon challenged" that I've become more of a collector. Tonight, though, I pulled out the sewing tin and ran a line of stitching down one side of a length of ribbon and gathered it up to form the flower. It just so happened that I found that little pink button in the same sewing tin, so it's like it was meant to be.

I'm quite proud of this little card...not sure what I'll use if for 'though!

I hate my laptop!

2009-12-08T23:20:00.001-07:00

It has jammed up on me 5 times TONIGHT...so no new posts, just a rant.

Perhaps I'll be able to post something at work tomorrow...shhhhhh!

Just had to share...

2009-12-07T12:00:00.003-07:00

These are my darlings - don't they look precious? Yes, they know who they have to "play nice" for, LOL!

Amazingly, the little one crawled up on to Santa's knee without any hesitation (should I be worried?). At the same age, her big sister didn't get a Santa photo - there was no way I could bring myself to buy the picture of her terrified little crying face. I regret it now...and it'll only get worse when she starts thinking that she didn't get to visit Santa when she was "nearly 2".

Just thought I'd share...

An oldie...

2009-12-07T11:53:00.003-07:00

It was a busy weekend: dinner with friends, Dad's work's kids party, so I didn't get too much stamping done. Nor did I get any blogging done!

Anyways, this is an old card that I made this past summer - yes, summer. Back when I had every intention of having all my cards made and mailed out by December 1st - ha, who was I kidding?

The image is from Penny Black and the sentiment from CTMH's "Just for the Holidays" (in case you thought of asking, that sentiment set has been sitting ON my craft desk since summer - it would be pointless to put it away now!)

The tree is up (hubby did it yesterday while I took the kids to the Christmas party), but since we then went to my sister's house for a curry dinner (thanks Johanne and Glayde!), it has yet to be decorated. So, we have a sad sorry lighted and tinseled tree in our family room at the moment. Eat your heart out, Charlie Brown!

Snow Day in Calgary

2009-12-04T13:02:00.002-07:00

...as in severe weather warning. But, since it wasn't snowing when I left for work this morning, I decided to drive. Now that I look outside, I'm wondering if that was the wisest decision I've ever made.

Anyways, in "honour" of the whirling whisps of white fluff outside, I am going to post my snowy Anya card (image from The Greeting Farm). The sentiment is from my heavily used CTMH set, "Just for the Holidays"

Here's a close-up of her snowy accessories (using Flower Soft in Ivory)

and the inside, lovingly decorated with the small holly and ivy stamps from the CTMH set.

Hope you're all keeping dry and warm out there. Wish me luck for the drive home...I hope it doesn't take hours and hours!

Happy Birthday Chris!

2009-12-03T12:31:00.003-07:00

So, it was my birthday last Thursday and my best friend who just immigrated from England gave me a gorgeous Tiffany's necklace - she had to ask the sales clerk in T's if she could suggest anything for a friend who "doesn't really wear jewelery" (apparently the poor girl nearly passed out, LOL!). It's a gorgeous, but plain (just like me - hahahaha!) silver disc with a scrolly-L engraved on it.

Anyhow, said *friend* also gave me a rather sarcastic birthday card - some old biddies under the hairdriers at their local salon with an associated "old" sentiment...but that's alright, I had this set, Old Brawd, from Totally Stampalicious just waiting to be used on her (it's her birthday today - exactly one week after mine)!

I've also used the Stampalicious Sketch Challenge sketch. Who doesn't *love* a sketch to get the creative juices flowing?

The brads along the top and bottom of the vertical strip match each other (ie. the 3 top ones match, as do the 3 bottom ones, but they don't match *each other*). This goes back to when my darling nephew decided to rearrange my brad storage and upended the filled container! My sister was mortified, but I learned a valuable lesson: don't assume that just because your own kids don't mess with your stuff that anyone else's kids will be able to stay away. So now I have this lovely box of "assorted" Bazill brads!

My favourite part of the card is the inside sentiment:

You see, Chris is an IT Project Manager, so the "jab" is double-edged, LOL! The little mouse image is from Hanna Stamps.

The only part I'm regretting are these little Spica glitter dots that I've used to frame the image, but once I'd started, it was too late to stop. The smaller black dots were an attempt to save it, but although I like it a bit better, I'm still sorry I used the gold glitter pen to begin with.

Oh, well...

And Chris, "you'll always be older than me..." :)

2 Sketches 4 You challenge #40

2009-12-02T18:04:00.005-07:00

This is the first time I've used a challenge for one of my blog posts, but when I saw the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You and then saw that StarvingArtistamps was this weeks sponsor, well...I had to enter. I'm also a great fan of the "scheduled" post, but seeing as I don't have one lined up yet for tomorrow (or rather, midnight tonight), I thought I'd make the card, photograph it, pretty it up in PSE and upload it - whew! I'm exhausted, LOL!

This card uses the image of Coco the Polar Bear from StarvingArtistamps "Santa's Sweet Shoppe". The scarf is paper pieced using an old scrap of unknown DP. Coco is coloured with cool grey Copic markers and a bit of colourless blender (plus a bit of red and a bit of brown). Sorry, I'm not yet organized enough to tell exactly *which* markers I've used...

Coco's head is popped up on a 3-D Zot (as is the sentiment - from CTMH's "Just for the Holidays"). The border punch is by Martha Stewart.

I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to Coco, so I've painted on a bit of my SU (I guess it's made by Tsukineko) Frost White Shimmer Paint (or "All-Purpose Ink" as it says on the label). I didn't realize just how opaque the paint is, so I ended up using it rather sparsely (and sloppily) since it was covering up the stamped image.

Thanks for the great sketch challenge 2S4Y...and for helping me get another card finished for Christmas!

Happy Christmas to All...

2009-12-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

I got this image from an image swap on SCS and am still wondering if I should just bite the bullet and order the set "Wandering Words" since it's only available until January 4th. Growing up in Northern Ireland, we always said "Happy Christmas" instead of the more popular "Merry Christmas", so this image with built in sentiment really calls to me.

Again, I've used some of my favourite SU Dashing striped DP and have broken out a CTMH sentiment - I love circle sentiments that I can use some of my many SU circle punches with!

That same CTMH set (Just For the Holidays) has the ivy leaves and holly berries stamps you can see that I've stamped on the inside.

Twilight...

2009-12-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been indoctrinated into the club (cult?). Curiosity got the better of me and I asked for the Twilight books for my birthday, and DH bought me the first 2 books. I am already halfway through the first book - they really are an easy read to wind down at bedtime. I've actually missed reading since I started driving to work...I was reading around 2 books a week when I was taking the train. Lately, I've been too tired by bedtime to think about reading.

So, I was inspired to ink up TGF's Edward again now that I "know" him, LOL!

I gave myself some artistic license with his hair, but I was having so much fun with the streaks - and they were looking so good (if I do say so myself)

I dug out some eyelets and blew the dust of my Cropadile to give it some industrial "edge" - not to mention how well they seemed to go with the Diamond Plate embossing folder (the one that you can hardly see - haha!)

I get the impression that Edward wouldn't dress as grungily as this, but hey, I don't know him that well yet!

Willow with Umbrella

2009-11-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm hoping that by playing with an image showing rain, I can keep the snow away for yet another week. Probably wishful thinking, but what have I got to lose? Last week showed a forecast of snow all week long, but the latest forecast shows we're good until Friday...fingers crossed...

I've used a retired DSP sample pad from SU for the patterned red background - I think SU would make a killing if they'd offer these sample pads as a purchase as opposed to just a hostess benefit.

The image is from Whiff of Joy and is called Willow with Umbrella. The highly talented artist behind her is Elisabeth Bell - she has designed for a number of different stamp companies and her quality never wavers.

The ribbon came from a huge box of assorted ribbon I bought from Costco quite some time ago (I'm still determined to start using some of the supplies I've collected and that are piling up beneath my desk).

So, Mother Nature, if you can hear me, I'd be fine for snow on Christmas Day, but I really won't be disappointed if we have to go the full winter without...

Mo Manning's digital images...

2009-11-29T00:00:00.001-07:00

...have you seen them? They are GORGEOUS. It must have taken me forever to decide which ones I wanted...or at least to narrow it down. I think I want them ALL!!!

They remind me of all the best children's book illustrations. Boys, girls, pets,..., the woman can draw them all.

This particular image is called "Psst Dani and Taylor" and it is such a great *girly* image. I've coloured these girls with my Copic markers and cut it out with either Spellbinders Nesties or my SU Bigz Top Note Die (can't quite remember which one, but it's a BIG one since I printed out the image in a rather large size - one of the coolest things about digi-stamps). There's a bit of bling (compliments of my Spica glitter pens), but it doesn't really show up in the picture.

I've UTEE'd this button, so I wanted to "show off" the gloss. It's so very cool in real life - oh, and I didn't drop it "jammy side" down on the carpet this time around, so my talents are improving. There's hope for me yet!

Hope you've all had a great weekend. We're off to see Toad of Toad Hall in the local theatre this afternoon. It's been a very busy one and I can't believe it's already Sunday. The Christmas season is already upon us in full force...yikes!!!

Schooled by a 6-year old

2009-11-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

So, I was totally proud of this gorgeous Copic'd gingham dress (I'm so modest) on Alice (from The Greeting Farm's Wonderland) and showed my biggest cheerleader, my darling daughter Aimee.

Well, I know that kids can be cruel, but my OWN DAUGHTER???

"Ah, Mum. That's Dorothy. She has the checked dress. I know because I got the doll in my Happy Meal last year. Alice's dress is "just" blue". So, we are never going to McDonald's again...EVER. That'll teach her :)

So I guess it's pointless mentioning that the White Rabbit inside totally ties into the pale background images of the White Rabbit on the Creamy Caramel mat on the front of the card? Because, of course, Dorothy has a Toto and not a White Rabbit...

(BTW, the large sentiment on the front is to cover a big inky accident...I can admit this, because, as always, I'm "Stamping ReckLesley")

Toadally Stampalicious

2009-11-27T00:00:00.001-07:00

So, there's this little Canadian stamp company that I came across quite by accident (thanks to SCS) and it was started up by a couple of Alberta girls who shared a common love of stamping. Well, they obviously have a fab sense of humour - you should see their images (and sentiments)!

I thought I'd give them a try - you know, support the local economy during times of financial distress and all (that's my story, don't try to make me change it, LOL!) Well, their stamps are STELLAR - clear polymer, which normally gets such a bad rep. Not the case AT ALL.

I don't know if I've mentioned that I'm a rather "lazy" stamper. I mean, I've read all the suggestions to get a better image from your clear stamps: scrub them, erase them, use a foam pad, use only pigment ink,... But, these images came (within a couple of days of ordering them, I might add) and I had to try them out IMMEDIATELY.

They stamped *beautifully* - no help needed!

And the customer service? I had one faulty image, and after a quick email to the company, I had a replacement in my mailbox a few days later. I will *definitely* shop with them again...and again...and again, LOL!

This card is made using their Rockin' Frawg set. He's paper pieced and Cuttlebugged and standing on a stage of Spellbinder Nestabilities. He makes me smile and he "toadally rocks".

Oh, have I neglected to mention the name of this great company? TOTALLY STAMPALICIOUS!

Check them out (sorry, no link as I'm still facing my inner demons there...), but Google knows them well *wink*

SU Retro

2009-11-26T00:00:00.002-07:00

A bit of retro SU stuff...old colours, old stamp set, but with a new punch and some "new to me" ribbon (although it, too, is old SU)

This is one of the first sets I bought from SU (Yule Bits & Borders), and I had thought it looked dated. But I was determined, it was NOT going to beat me. I had some previously stamped images that I found while sorting through some of the many clear envelopes of "bits" that have accumulated below my desk.

When I realized just how many images I had all ready to use, I starting thinking to use them together on a card...and this is what I came up with.

I haven't popped up any of the main image, but the thick ribbon (and the fact that I didn't glue all the way down to the punched part), makes it look like I've intentionally added the dimension. Don't you love it when things just fall into place like that?

...and this is the inside, all prettied up!

Less than a month until Christmas...Please tell me I'm not the only one who is in no way prepared!

CTMH Christmas

2009-11-25T00:00:00.004-07:00

Do you detect a theme this week? Or perhaps it's just a sense of "impending doom" in that Christmas is just over a month away. Every year, I promise I won't leave making Christmas cards until the last minute, but it's just so hard to deal with snowflakes and Santa Claus when the kids are running in from the backyard calling for popsicles, KWIM?

This uses one of the four adorable elves from CTHM's Merry Pursuits. Isn't he adorable? If you look really closely (or enlarge the image - although then you'll see just how "not perfect" my colouring is) you should be able to see the texture on the red cardstock - made using my SU Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates

I've coloured him using Copic markers - I'm most proud of the "glow" around the lights, made by simply letting the colour pool from the tip of a lighter coloured marker.

This last image is just to show the dimension on the layers and my strip of matching DSP on the inside of the card.

I originally got this image from the Cdn Image Swap thread on SCS (thanks Shanna), but loved it so much, I had to order it from my local (she lives on my street!) consultant (thanks Kristell!)

So, how are you all doing on your Christmas cards?

More Christmas...

2009-11-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

This owl image called to me today. Again, loving popping up part of an image: in this case the eyes and the talons of this little cutie. He's from Cornish Heritage farms and their awesome designer Kim Hughes and I've coloured him using Copic markers.

I've made the clouds by sponging SU Bashful Blue ink over a homemade cloud stencil. The circle sentiment and the little ornament are from CTMH's Just for the holidays. If you look *really* closely, you'll see that the owl's hat is lined with Polar White Flower Soft. Again, I've used a small strip of the retired SU Dashing DSP (oh how I wish they'd offered a full pack of that striped pattern)

This card took very little time to make, but he just makes me smile!

Jolly Old Saint Nick

2009-11-23T00:00:00.001-07:00

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...be glad you are only reading this and not hearing my sorry attempts at singing!

I'm in love with popping up parts of images at the moment. Like Santa's face on this SU image (from Jolliest of Holidays). He's also been Liquid Appliqued and glittered - well, I'd meant the glitter to only land on the snowflakes, but it seems the puffed up Liquid Applique was still a bit sticky, so Santa's got an extra bit of sparkle about him...

I've used SU's (retired) Dashing DSP (although there's a similar stripe pattern in the new Merry Moments package - not sure that it has the green in it 'though...), and my often forgotten Spiral punch.

Santa is stamped in Stazon on Watercolour Paper and coloured using my SU markers and an Aquapainter. Glitter applied liberally (you should see the carpet below my desk, LOL!).

Who's cooler than you?

2009-11-22T12:01:00.004-07:00

I have a confession to make...

Although I am an avid reader, I have read *NONE* of the Twilight books, nor have I seen any of the films (gasp, I know!). But, that didn't stop me from falling in love with this limited edition digi-stamp from The Greeting Farm. Apparently, this is the infamous Edward.

He reminds me of Danny Zuko (aka John Travolta) from Grease, so that's why I had to use Starving Artistamps' sentiments to finish this card.

I really had fun experimenting with my Copic markers on this card. I'm determined to figure out how to "do" hair like some of those other stamping rockstars!

You'll notice that I folded in the Nestabilities die-cut - not for artistic merit, it was simply too wide for the card!

You might have noticed that I've removed the links from my sidebar and I'm no longer linking within my posts. I'm still fighting my inner demons and contemplating continuing my demoship, but I still haven't signed the new agreement - so I'm practising "being on my best behaviour". Good stuff going forward and I'm going to at least cash in on Sale-a-Bration come January.

I've also spent some time "getting to know" my PSE program a bit better, so I've prettied my pics up for this post.

Sorry, I've neglected posting for a while, but between sickness and visitors (yeah, my next excuse will be how busy it is around Christmastime, LOL!)...

And remember NOBODY's cooler than you :)

guilty conscience

2009-10-09T10:03:00.005-06:00

I've neglected my blog again... Thankfully, it's a slow day at work, so I'm blogging from here. Apologies for the "raw" image, but I don't have PSE on my work computer to "pretty it up", centre the image, blur the edges, etc. So, you're getting to see my photography skills at their nitty-grittiest. (my old graphic arts teacher would cringe...)

Perhaps I will replace the image with a new, "prettier" one later, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that, LOL!

So, a while ago I had posted on Facebook that my dad was a pirate...well, he'd had retinal surgery and had to wear an eyepatch, and that was the big joke so that the kids could see the funny side and perhaps not be so afraid of "Granda".

That's why I *had* to make him this card. The sentiment is from a real set (it is *not* computer generated) from Starving Artistamps and as soon as I saw it I knew I'd never get another chance to use it as suitably as this! The focal image is also from Starving Artistamps and it is stamped on watercolour paper and coloured in using my often neglected SU! Watercolour Crayons. The sentiment has been UTEE'd (the new carpet in my basement has now been "christened" as I dropped it sticky-side-down once while heat setting it - grrrrrr!) although it doesn't show up in the picture.

Inside I've stamped another sentiment from the same SAS set. It simply says "ARRRG!"

So, if anyone has any suggestions for getting the last of the UTEE out of my berber carpet (can't see it, but it's really rough - good thing it's recently become sock/slipper weather in these parts) feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section! I've tried reheating it (slightly...but burning the entire house down would be far worse than a rough patch of carpet under my craft desk) and picking up the melted bits with paper towel and it worked a bit. Now you all know why my blog was named "Stamping ReckLesley"...

Happy stamping!

Blog candy redirection

2009-09-22T09:41:00.002-06:00

I've been creating, I've just been very remiss in taking pictures and posting...

But, check out what I stumbled upon this morning...BLOG CANDY worth over $250 Canadian (including StarvingArtistamps - one of their DT is expecting and wants you to guess the gender of the baby). Check it out here and good luck. I'm off to put my guess in now!

An SU! card...

2009-09-02T10:16:00.002-06:00

It is with a bit of a heavy heart that I post an SU! card. My demoship is about to lapse and, although I was going to place that required order before month-end, Stampin' Up has gone a bit too "Big Brother" on me (I won't bother going into details, as I'm sure the news is out there if you look hard enough).

I have never advertised the fact that I am an SU! demo, I don't run classes, I don't have workshops. I *do*, however, salivate publicly about their awesome cardstock and matching colours and I *do* greatly appreciate that they allow me to call myself a demo and get a discount so long as I spend a minimum amount of my craft funds with them. I have a couple of friends that place the occasional order from me, but that's it.

I am not on a design team (nor do I expect to be on one any time in the near future), but as you can tell from my *personal* blog, I do like other things...many other things. I also consider myself a very thankful person and feel that I need to give credit where credit is due. To this extent, I feel it shows my appreciation when I can not only provide the info on the products I've used, but where I have bought them (especially noting stellar customer service. I worked in the retail sector for a long time and it was a rarity indeed to get written acknowledgement of a job well done, but when you did, it went a long way...). I also like to hyperlink...therein lies "the rub" as they say.

Anyways, although I own a great many SU! stamps, this is one little gem that I missed out on, but managed to get a few images from my pals (thanks Kristina) on the Canadian Express Image Swap on SCS. It's called Woodland Cottage and reminds me of quite a few of the country homes I saw while back in Ireland.

The card itself is Always Artichoke and I've used Basic Black to mat the image. The DP is from an old stack, so I'm guessing it's DCWV (not linking since I'm not sure ;) ) I've used the SU! Word Window punch to punch out the Doodlefactory sentiment and the tab is embellished with an big SU! eyelet. If the picture was better, you'd be able to see the Crystal Effects (again SU!) on the windows.

I still love SU! and will continue to purchase their products. I will find a current sideline who could use the occasional bit of help to meet her minimums and put her on "speed-dial".

So, now I should have more money to spend on all those other glorious toys out there...it's not all bad then!

(guess I should make a big paper order before month-end...)

Bright birthday

2009-09-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

This is an image I got from the Canadian Express Image Swap on SCS. It is called Monstah Bash and is from Stamping Bella (thanks Crystal!)

How fun are they???

They are coloured in "experimentally" using my Copic markers. I was playing with my blender pen when I managed to achieve the gorgeous swirl pattern on the lilac monster in the middle. I'd tell you how I did it if I could only remember (now I have to go back to experimenting all over again!) The sparkly bits (if they even show up) are my Copic Spica markers - sooo pretty!

Again, I've used my Cuttlebug embossing folder to add texture.

The balloons come from the retired (it's a good thing I don't get rid of my retired sets since they always seem to get more use once they've retired than they ever did when they were current. I guess I'm a bit of a "late bloomer") SU! set, Favorite Teddy Bear (I've even spelled favourite like SU! does since *they* named the set). They are popped up on dimensionals and their string is the (you guessed it) retired SU! silver cord. I think they've reintroduced the old elastic silver cord in the new mini catalogue, but this is *not* it!

Circle Nesties, ribbon from Michael's (unknown manufacturer) and the SU! corner punch finish off the card.

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, More Mustard, Real Red, Lovely Lilac and Basic Black. I can't remember what white was used, but probably Staples brand ultrasmooth...

Back to school...and back from vacation...

2009-08-31T09:17:00.008-06:00

Alright, so I've been back from vacation (3 weeks visiting family back in Northern Ireland) since mid-August, but blogging didn't make it to the top of my priority list - gasp, the horror, I know!!!

Anyways, enough of the self-flagellation, I am back and have actually found time to create. I did bring along some images and markers, but they never made it out of the carry-on bag - even on the plane. Sometimes, when travelling with a 6 1/2 year old, a 20-month old and a 40-year old with a soccer injury, you need to make sacrifices...

So, my "big girl" started grade 2 last week. She was all anxious and worried, so I thought I'd drop a little card in her lunchbox and a chocolate treat (one of *many* that we brought back from Ireland). I'm sure I'm already on the "watch list" for the lunch programme - good thing we bought fruit this past weekend!

This card features the stamp "Off to School Sophia" from Paper Pretties. Check out their website as they have plenty of specials coming up to celebrate back to school! 25% OFF...be still my beating heart!!! (disclaimer: I didn't actually know about this special until I pulled up the page to hyperlink the text)

The image is "paper-pieced" using an old SU! designer paper pad (one of the retired hostess gifts) and coloured in using Copic markers (don't look too closely at her hair, I was trying to get it coloured in while my darling daughter kept thinking of more reasons why she shouldn't *quite* be going to sleep yet - grrr!!) I've used 2 of the Cuttlebug embossing folders (Swiss Dots and Argyle) to add texture and SU! punches to hilight the sentiment (a part of the "Off to School Sophia" set). The pencil image on the envelope (also inside the card) is from a retired SU! set called Elementary Essentials.

Pretty straightforward, but she was impressed...and that was all that mattered to me!

Hopefully, this is me fully back to blogdom as I *have* managed to get back to crafting. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder!

Get a load of Lenny

2009-07-17T23:04:00.003-06:00

Okay, so how adorable is *this*?

This image is Lenny Loader and he is a FREE digi-stamp available from Sunshine's Stamps. This is my first venture into digital-stampdom and I like it!!!

One issue I tend to have with "real" stamps is that sometimes the image is too small for what I need, other times it's too large. Well, no worries about that with a digi-image, since you can resize it to your heart's content!

I printed Lenny out twice so that I could pop-up his "bucket". I've used SU's Crystal Elements to give his eyes/safety goggles that lovely sheen. He is coloured in using Copic markers.

Lenny himself has been cut out using my circle Nesties, but since I used the largest one, I needed to go to my Creative Memories circle cutter to cut the mat. The sentiment is courtesy of my Just-Rite stamps - how cool is it that you can make any sentiment you want? And the little alphabet "tiles" remind me of the first stamp set I owned as a kid....way back in the 70s!

The wheel image is a retired Stampin' Up Wheel that I thought finished the inside perfectly.

Hope you enjoyed and make sure you pop over to Sunshine's Stamps and see what else they have to offer. You won't be disappointed!

What, no Copics???

2009-07-14T00:00:00.001-06:00

Thought I'd try something different, or at least something I haven't done in a while. I used my SU markers (scribbled on a piece of acetate) and an Aquabrush to colour this image, the jeep from the SU set Hit the Road. I love this image as the first car I bought brand new (and likely the only car I will ever buy "brand new") was the lovely Jeep Liberty that I still drive - not that I always loved that car since it gave me plenty of grief, but I digress (and, besides, it's all good now...)

Cardstock is SU's Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip (sounds yummy, doesn't it?) and the image is stamped on some watercolour paper that I picked up at Walmart. I've sponged the edges to add a bit of depth...

The sentiment is from Hampton Arts, but I'm afraid I don't know the name of the clear set it came from. I bought it as a "grab bag" and it was from one of the unlabeled sets. It has been punched using SU's Round Label Punch and then glued on top of a punched circle. The brads (old SU and I'm too lazy to check and see if they're still current ;) ) are just there for "show".

The DP is from yet another DCWV slab (an old one...) and the border punch is Martha Stewart.

BTW, this set is still available from Stampin' Up even though it didn't make the "short list" to be included in the new catalogue. It is on what they call the "dormant list" which is really sad because it means a lot of people won't get to see it and it will likely fall out of favour and then be dropped (aka retired) by the time the next catalogue rolls around :(

Little Purple and Grey Goth Girl

2009-07-13T00:00:00.004-06:00

I hate the SU colour Orchid Opulence - there, I said it! It really does nothing for me...

But, it matched this (unknown) DP, so I got to use some up. I have enough of it, LOL!

Stamps: Little Goth Girl is one of the Gorjuss Girl line of stamps from Sugar Nellie; Happy Birthday sentiment from TAC's Celebration Time (stamped in Orchid Opulence, but I've coloured in the words with a black journalling marker); circle border (in the offensive (to me) Orchid Opulence) from TAC's All Occasion Circles; border from Asian Borders by Hero Arts

Cardstock and grey and orchid (blech) ink all from SU, but DP is unknown. The main image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.

Image is coloured using my beloved Copic markers and her tights are hilit using my Prismacolor white pencil.

Mermaid Anya

2009-07-12T00:00:00.002-06:00

How cute is this image from The Greeting Farm? Alright, so I love any image that gives me an excuse to use blues, purples, and greens, supplemented with bling! On top of that, I got to use my old Fiskars texture plates (pattern: scales) in my Cuttlebug - oh, how life has been simplified since I found I could use these with a die-cutting/embossing machine. You probably can't see it well, but I've used it on the Bermuda Bay (SU) card front and again on the paper pieced tailfin (which I frugally cut from the larger piece of cardstock - the bit covered by the Nestabilities circles and scalloped circles). I further emphasized it on the tailfin by tracing a scale pattern (which does NOT match up to the embossed image, LOL) using a Sakura glitter pen.

To add even more sparkle, I've even given her some Robin's Nest Dew Drops (colour: water) in her hair and around her waist and further coloured over her bikini top using my Copic Spica pens. Thought I'd show the close up, even though it emphasizes the fact that I didn't "rub" the stray cuts from the scalloped die!

The ribbon was bought many moons ago (see honey, I'm using stuff up now that I have a "special place") and I could tell you who made it, but it would require my taking apart my "tower of ribbon holders" and pulling out that one spool. If you saw the mess of my desk right now, you would understand why that would *not* be a good idea! The sand pail "charm" came from a mixed bag of buttons that was again bought "many moons ago".

Sentiment is from SU's Teeny Tiny Wishes (fab set of 24 stamps that, although small, fit in perfectly when your image takes up most of the front of your card!)

Using only Stampin' Up products

2009-07-11T00:00:00.003-06:00

Finally thought to upload a card made with Stampin' Up images. I blame SU on this hobby (borderline obsession) with papercrafting. Alright, so quitting soccer to be a Mum plays a role as well (this is the official excuse for DH who actually got me my first invitation to an SU home gathering. He had a co-worker who asked if I'd like to get out of the house for some "grown up time"...and the rest, as they say, is history. Many years later and I am still happily puttering along as an SU demo (to support my own purchasing).

This card uses the new sets The More the Merrier (hostess) and Sweet Little Sentiments. It also uses some of SU's new In Colours for the 2009/2010 catalogue year: Bermuda Bay (the card base), textured Soft Suede (the mat that has been punched using the SU Eyelet Border Punch), and Melon Mambo (behind the sentiment and punched using 2 x the new Modern Label punch). For the first time since they introduced the "In Colors" (spelling per the SU/US way), they have also come up with a set of matching markers - YAY!!! I was able to use them to watercolour the cupcakes (scribbling an a piece of acetate and picking up the ink with my aquapainter) AND to colour directly on the sentiment stamp (allowing for the Melon Mambo focus on the word "cupcake:). This has been punched out using the Modern Label punch and popped up on dimensionals.

That lovely ribbon is also part of the "In Colour" line. It is available in all the colours and is polka-dotted on one side, plain grosgrain on the other. I only have 3 colours so far, but the other 3 will be on my next order for sure!

I added a small Melon Mambo punched "cherry" to the first cupcake. It has been slightly popped up using a rolled up mini glue dot. The only other thing I've done is paper pierced a border to frame the cupcakes and pierced a single row to "centre" the sentiment on the punch (it looked too low when stamped and punched, but needed to be placed where the little "bumps" in the punch allowed for the longer line of words)

...and that was it!

2009-07-10T00:00:00.003-06:00

Here is Tilda in Heart Overalls (by Magnolia Stamps), an image I snagged in the Canadian Express Image Swap on Splitcoaststampers. She's been coloured using Copic markers with a bit of white Prismacolor pencil hilighting her knees, gloves and boots. The background was sponged with SU Bashful Blue ink using a handmade cloud stencil (moving and rotating it as I went).

The image has been cut out and matted using my Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies. I learned this "out of the Nesties" technique from the blog of Katharina Frei (owner of Whiff of Joy stamps) as I would never have figured this out for myself.

Card base is SU Kraft, and the DP is from an old SU sampler print pack in Real Red. The Happy Birthday sentiment is unknown, but it has been cut out and matted on a combination of SU punches. Sheer ribbon unknown, but the red ribbon is also from Stampin' Up.

I am showing the slightly opened card to show how I've "gussied up" the inside. So simple, but it just seems to finish it off.

Love this card so much that I don't want to give it away, LOL!

Retirement...

2009-07-09T00:00:00.003-06:00

No, I haven't given up on the blogging thing already...

This particular card was made for DD's principal who retired this year. It uses SU's A Sense of Time (both the images and the sentiment) and is stamped using Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa ink on Very Vanilla cardstock. The whole sponged cardfront is mounted on a Close to Cocoa card. I wish I could remember where the copper paper came from, but it was in a pile of many scraps I have kicking around. The Close to Cocoa clock was punched out and mounted on a dimensional glue dot.

This was such an easy card to make, but it's probably one of my favourites (and I normally find a masculine card difficult; heck, I find anything that's not cutesy/kid-like to be a stretch, LOL!)

Slacking off again...

2009-07-08T12:00:00.002-06:00

...not from creating, but just from posting. I'm pretty good at getting things made these days, but since I do most of my creating at night, the light is horrible for pictures by the time I'm done. So, then I postpone it until "later", but when I sit down at my desk the following afternoon (dang work interfering with my hobby, LOL!), I start playing with my toys again.

It doesn't help that my ancient laptop takes forever to upload pics from my camera either, but I could make excuses forever. Instead, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and post some pure pics, unadulterated (ie. Photoshopped) in any way and missing any watermark. Perhaps I'll edit these posts later, but somehow I doubt it :)

Today, I'm sharing the card I made for DD's Grade One teacher who is moving back to Edmonton. She will be sorely missed at the school as she was a wonderful teacher and ran (it seems) most of the sports clubs they had going.

The main image is Teacher Anya from The Greeting Farm. I love this stamp company and own (ahem...cough...clears throat) most of their images. They are just so fun and a joy to colour with any medium. I used my Copic markers on this one (I know, *there's* a surprise, LOL!) She's been "cut out" using my circle Nestabilities and matted with both the circles and the scalloped circles. The "inspire" comes from Stampin' Up's Define Your Life and I thought it a fitting tribute to a great teacher. I've used SU's large oval punch (think that's what it's called) and the SU Tab Punch.

Colourwise, the card base is SU Real Red, and the mats are Glorious Green and the new (and textured Dusty Durango). The Tab Punch is also Dusty Durango, but sponged with Dusty Durango ink to darken it and bring out the texture a little more.

Other than that, all I've used is some Crystal Effects (SU) on the apple. Inside, although I forgot to take a pic, I've stamped the apple from Tart n' Tangy (SU) and the big THANKS from Thanks for Everything.

Goodbye Ms. Adante...you will be sorely missed!

More birthday cards...

2009-06-25T00:01:00.002-06:00

Woo Hoo! I'm a posting machine!!!

This little beauty comes from a great little stamp company in Scotland called Sugar Nellie. She's called "Rope Swing" and although my first stamp came with "rogue rubber" (the pattern at the neck of her dress wasn't deep enough to transfer the image as you'll see if you look *really* closely), Karen sent me a replacement right away, no questions asked. Fabulous customer service...I had to fill another basket just to express my thanks, LOL! Again, she's coloured using Copic markers, but the ovals (sponged a bit heavy-handedly) have been cut using my Creative Memories oval shapes from the Custom Cutting System. This is one of the best "manual" cutting systems I have found - normally I'm a bit "awkward" with manual circle cutters (to put it nicely), but this one cuts like a charm - for me at least! The pierced holes have been done "by eye", so don't look too closely (and if you do, please don't pass judgement!) The brads are from Bazzill. Again, the DP is old DCWV and the cardstock is all SU. The sentiment is a clear acrylic stamp from ??? (I have a few like that) If I had to guess, it would be from a set of many stamps and ink pads and markers that I picked up at Costco years ago. It is cut using an SU oval punch and mounted on the SU tab punch.

This one was going to be a boy card, but once I put this much ribbon on it, I'm thinking it's looking a bit girly. Again, I've pulled out my Sandylion Clear Boy set - fun images, coloured them with my beloved Copic markers and blinged things up a bit with my Copic Spica glitter pens. The ribbons came from a box of assorted ribbon bought at Costco quite some time ago and I've finished things off with one of Martha Stewart's border punches. Cardstock again is SU, DP is old and from a DCWV stack.

Birthday Cards...

2009-06-24T00:01:00.009-06:00

I'm on a bit of a birthday card "phase" at the moment.

After a string of early Saturday morning realizations that I needed a card for a birthday party that afternoon, I made a resolution: I'm making a bucket-load of kids birthday cards and will not be caught short again for a long time.

My last resolutions were to get a craft room up and running (check), start a blog (check), and spend more time creating (check). Now I need to actually take the pictures, upload them (and fix them in PSE...I suppose if I did this more often it would be a cakewalk) and post them. This has always been my downfall - just ask my Aunt Linda who is still waiting for me to send her copies of my wedding pictures (we will celebrate our 14-year anniversary in two weeks!).

So, without further ado, here are a couple of my latest birthday cards:

Can you tell that I love circles? Riveting and Circle of Friendship (both Stampin' Up) are two of my favourite sentiment sets. I love that I can use my circle punches to quickly add a sentiment to a card. I've used bigger circle punches to make the turquoise ring. Here, I've used one of The Greeting Farm's Miss Anya stamps, coloured in with Copic markers and "blinged" with Stickles. The image is cutout and embossed (as is the mat) using the Nestabilities Long Rectangles dies. The DP is from an old DCWV stack cut into strips and sponged around the edges for added depth. The last embellishment are my Dew Drops. Voila...very easy, but one of my faves (and it could do for an older "girl" in a pinch, LOL!

This one is for the boys... I've used the image King's Jester Charlie from Whiff of Joy stamps. He is coloured in (again) using Copic markers and cut out and matted with the circle and scalloped circle Nestabilities. The small circles have also been cut out using the same sets of nested dies. I love having such a versatile tool that takes up such little space! Again, the DSP is from an old DCWV (another resolution I made was to start using up some of my cartloads full of DSP. Once the wheels start breaking off, you *know* there's too much paper stored inside!) and the cardstock is all from Stampin' Up. The juggling balls are "shined up" using Stampin' Up's Crystal Effects.

That's all for today...don't want to overdo it ;)

On a roll...

2009-04-18T15:16:00.005-06:00

How nice it is to have a dedicated place to create - one that is not expected to be tidied when family visits for dinner! I am loving my new space...

I have been taking part in a Canadian Express Image swap on SCS. You'd think that swapping images would cut down on your need to spend, but I'm finding that the exact opposite is true. Between trying to keep a current list of images that people will want, and falling in love with some of the images you receive sooooo much that you have to buy it for yourself, I'm thinking I might have waded into dangerous waters, LOL!

The first 2 cards I'm sharing are from a clear stamp set called Four Dolls by Hero Arts. I ordered them a couple of weeks ago and eagerly awaited their arrival...until I got a sticky on my door from UPS asking for $33.53 in brokerage fees. THIRTY THREE DOLLARS AND FIFTY THREE CENTS!?! I only paid $55 for the 3 sets of stamps (which was to include shipping and handling...but apparently NOT brokerage fees). I was ticked! I'm fine with paying my customs and duties (even though the $5.00 "handling fee" seems excessive when your goods aren't worth that much), so I think that all my future "international" online orders will have to be from sites that use the good old postage system and I'll just have to learn a bit of patience.

So, without further ado, here are my dolls...

I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal and Going Gray. The DP (designer paper) came from an old mini ("Fall") slab from DCWV, the the "white" that the main image is stamped on is more of my "mystery cardstock" (the kind of stuff you get when your hubby works in the print industry). The sentiment is from a Hampton Art Studio G clear set. She is framed by rectangular Nestabilities (the scalloped layer is sponged to try and add a bit of depth) and sports a Prima flower and a mystery gem (the kind of stuff you get when you have daughters who don't clean up their stuff after them - yes, I am not below stealing from my children ;) ) I used Copic markers - my current favourites, but I have so much to learn - to colour her in and sponged the background in Apricol Appeal ink (SU!). The narrow strip of Going Gray cardstock has been pierced and the strip of Cameo Coral has another image (a strip of flowers) stamped in Cameo Coral ink (you'll probably have to look really close to even see it)

This next card uses the same Hero Arts stamp set, but I haven't decided what sentiment I want to use, so she looks a bit "lonely and lopsided" at the moment.

Again, I've used Nestablilities by Spellbinders (Labels 2) and another scrap of designer paper from an older DCWV slab. The black card base is Basic Black from SU! which was scored and folded using my beloved Scor-Pal. This is probably the best papercrafting purchase I've ever made and I wasn't even the one who bought it (I sent my hubby a link and he ordered it for my birthday a couple of years ago - thanks, hon!). I love it even more now that I can leave it out on my stamping desk! The little buckles are die-cut (sparkly paper unknown) using a QuicKutz "belt loops" die, the buttons are uknown, but the gold thread is from SU! Again, she is coloured using Copic markers and her head is popped-up using "Looney Store" (the Canadian version of dollar stores and pound shops) dimensionals which makes me think that she looks like a bobble-head doll - oh, well!

This next card has been made using an image I "snagged" in the Canadian Express Image Swap I'm enjoying over at SCS. She is a Gorjuss Girl ("Sitting") available through www.funkykits.co.uk. I *adore* this image and know after colouring in 3 of the same image that I will be ordering her in the near future (and likely a few of her "friends" as well). She makes Copic colouring look AWESOME. Trust me, I'm new to this, and not very good yet (I *think* the potential is there...), but this image makes me look like a pro - she just colours sooooo well.

The card base is Certainly Celery from SU! (again, lovingly scored using my Scor-Pal). I've also used SU!'s Yoyo Yellow and Regal Rose cardstock. Gorjuss Girl Sitting is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink (great for Copic colouring) - thanks Shana! I've used some old ribbon from Michael's (I'll be using lots of "old" stuff now that it's all within eyesight!) to get my colour inspiration from. It is threaded through a Crop-a-Dile'd hole in a folded punch stack (used SU!'s Oval and Scalloped Oval punches). I also used an embossing folder (With Love) from Provocraft in my Cuttlebug for the texture at the bottom and a Martha Stewart (Doily?) edge punch on the Regal Rose Cardstock. The white cardstock is popped up on dimensionals (to allow space for the ribbon).

And all this is possible because I finally have a craft space to call my own (well, almost my own, DD is playing Webkinz on part of my desk using her Daddy's laptop...)

I have a place to stamp!

2009-04-15T17:19:00.004-06:00

It's already a mess, so the pics will come later.

I managed to make a card for my neice's 5th birthday amongst the chaos 'though. She had her party at the local Petsmart, and is an animal lover to the core, so I had to bust out this adorable image from Sandylion.

The designer papers are a million years old, so I can't even tell you where they came from. I used SU cardstock in Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Garden Green and Basic Black. The white is another "unknown". Used my Spellbinder's Square Nestabilities for the image, coloured with Copic markers, and a Hampton Arts G Series Clear Stamp for the sentiment. The flower is courtesy of Prima and it is mildly "blinged" by a dab of Liquid Pearls.

Voila! Happy (now belated) birthday Cameron! (she did get the card on her birthday...)

2009-04-01T22:03:00.002-06:00

Ahhh...the sweet sound of men working! The "finish" work has been completed and the final touches on the electrical should be done on Friday night

The basement is due to be carpeted this Saturday, so as you can imagine I'll be putting together my desk and moving my "stuff" down on Saturday night.

In a perfect world I would be able to spend all of Sunday creating to my hearts content, but there is much more to be moved downstairs than just *my* toys, LOL!

So close...

Finally, a card...

2009-03-17T22:41:00.005-06:00

Yes, so sometimes I do get around to using my vast supply of "goodies", but until that basement is finished, it feels like I only do so when needed. I so badly want to "putter" and make cards as the inspiration strikes as opposed to the morning the card is needed, or if I'm well-prepared, perhaps the night before...

This card was for Liam's fifth birthday. Liam and Aimee play on the same soccer team, and per Liam's mum, he's quite smitten. Apparently, he shows this by chasing Aimee around telling her she doesn't have to run so fast. As the mother of 2 little girls, I'm more of the view that the better prepared they are to outrun the boys, the happier I am, LOL!

This card was made using a retired Stampin' Up background, Simple Stripes (I think. I'll have to confirm that). The image is by The Angel Company, Girlz & Boyz, and the sentiment is from CTMH, Happy Birthday. What a well-rounded card...

And here is my little stamper in training. Unlike her older sister, she's still content with uninked stamps (thank goodness)

Oh, and as far as the basement goes, the first layer of mudding and taping has been finished and our contractor assures us it will be completed before the weekend!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone...

Handy men...

2009-03-11T12:59:00.004-06:00

Well, the structural inspection passed, and the electrical guy is here right now...Just waiting for the delivery of the drywall now.

I'm surrounded by handy men.

Speaking of which, my BIL, who is a cabinetmaker (and the person responsible for the framing downstairs) had made my list of favourite people. I'd asked him to keep me some of the wood scraps so that I could mount some of my bulk buy stamps from Steve at Hampton Arts stamps.

He told me that he could do better than rough wood scraps and brought me over an assortment of different sized blocks that I could simply sand the corners of.

Here are some of my newly mounted stamps (yes, while half the world seems to be going unmounted, I'm mounting my stamps...only because these ones were already mounted on sticky-backed foam 'though)

PS. The drywall is being brought in right now...

2009-03-10T22:56:00.002-06:00

Well, here we go...taking the plunge into papercraft blogdom (which is actually digital and not paper, which is ironic, but a bit more environmentally friendly).

I am, at present, more of a collector than a papercrafter, but I am about to get my own space (and my family is about to reclaim an eating area that doesn't consist of only 3 stools and a desktop sized eating area).

I'm hoping that just the simple fact that my toys are within sight and reach will spur me on to using up some of my amassed goodies.

Tomorrow, the inspectors come to see the basement and the drywall gets delivered. This weekend, hubby and friends plan on installing the insulation and soon after the drywaller makes my dream a more concrete reality.

Well, I guess I have to share the space, since it will also be a family room and toy room, but at least I should have my own part of it. And the main floor can stay in a state that will not mortify me when people come by...at least in theory.

I'll keep you posted...