Slimy Slug

I've been doing some stamping but it isn't anything new. I have made a bunch of my Halloween cards and I just have a few more to go. I thought I would share this picture of a slug I took the other night! I took Bandit outside and noticed him in the front yard. There was a slime trail all over the grass. My DH came out and shined the flashlight on the slug while I got focused. Then he turned off the light and I took this. Can you believe I took this in the pitch dark?

I found another slug eating a mushroom in my front yard tonight so I had to add this one too! The last few shots are of the moon: one w/out clouds and one w/clouds over the top of the moon.

A Few Photos

OK, I've been stamping but I can't share what I've done! Sorry! I'm getting ready for VSN. I'm a hostess for the first time and I'm excited about that.

So, instead of stamping projects I've made I'm showing you some pictures I've taken instead. The pink flowers are from clover that grows in my front yard. I've never seen clover with flowers before except in my yard!

The second photo is for the Heavy Metal photo challenge on SCS. I knew I had to take a picture of the rocket for this one. It fits the bill perfectly! It was a beautiful day today and the blue sky made a perfect backdrop for this one. I hope you like it!

Man in the Moon

I just had to share this photo I took of the moon tonight. I went out and played with the settings on my new camera.

Luv being witchy

I used my new Unity stamp set again! I can't believe it took me so long to find this stamp company. I love their stamps. They come in little fabric bags and they are rubber stamps mounted on cling foam. I had to make a card with the witch and "i luv being witchy" on it! I pulled the blue as an accent, which is not normally a color I would choose with this. But I think it turned out nice.

I've also been playing along with the photo challenges on SCS. This picture is for the Heavy Metal challenge. We were to take a picture of something metal or metallic without snapping cars or car parts. The elimination of car parts really made me have to think on this one. My DH has a shop full of engine parts that would have been easy. So once I thought about it I need I needed to take a picture of this railroad bridge over the TN river. When I went over it was pouring down rain. Thankfully there was a covered patio for me to stand under to get the shot.

New Canon Camera

I'm so excited- I got a new camera. I have been research D-SLRs and I finally decided on one. I got a Canon EOS Rebel XSi. My DH says that is code for expensive! lol I really love it! I have been getting out and taking lots of pictures to try things out. I've been playing around with the settings to see how things turn out. For those really important events, I use the auto setting until I can know that it will be right. These are just a few pictures I took the first day I had the camera.

Halloween Peeps

I have decided what to do for my Halloween cards. I saw this Unity stamp set and loved it, Trick or Treat Peeps. I thought I could make it look like Chris and me. I picked up the DP at the LSS. One side of the paper is what you see on the top half of the card and the back of the paper is on the bottom. I really liked that I could just flip it over and the colors match. I stamped the image with Stazon and colored it with my Koh-i-noor pencils (which I love so much). I used black to pop the stamped image. I hope you like it!

Monkey w/Cocoa

I don't think I posted a picture of the card I made using my new Changito monkey stamp. This little guy is just too cute! I love the way they made him look like he is shivering. I used some old SU DP and the words from Like it a Latte. I hope you like it!

Amazing Blog Candy!

I wanted to share this link for the possibility to win the most amazing blog candy ever! I can't believe how great this is! PLEASE check this out!

http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/2008/09/heart-to-heart-blog-candy.html

Halloween Treats

I've been making Halloween goodies this weekend. Neither one of these projects include stamping. The first project I made was the 2-4-6-8 acetate box. This little project was so easy to make and I love the way you can see though the middle of the box. I had a bunch of these little foam guys that my mom had given me a while back. So I decided to use them to decorate the box. You can't see it, but there is a bat on the top of the box.

The second project is a mummy paint can. I pulled out the twill tape and just put it around the can. I glued the eyes on the twill tape and then added a little more twill around the eyes. I also used my sponge and brown ink to age it a little.

My Thriller Dance

OK, I just discovered our Thriller video was posted to youtube. I learned this dance and taught it to all the teachers who wanted to do it. We do a little talent show at the end of the school year and the teachers normally try to do a little something. I'm not sure how we will top this one! BTW- I'm in the middle with the striped shirt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNvQEYrtrhU

Boo Box

I used some of my new chipboard coasters to make this cute little "boo" box! I found the cute little poem on SCS that you can give to someone to "boo" them. I plan to fill this little box with some candy and "boo" two people at work. I can't wait until October to do it! Do you think it is too soon to do it? lol

I stamped the spider image and then I hand drew the spider web and used my marker blower thing (I don't know what it is called) to add the black speckles.

Mouse Cookie

My order from Eclectic Paperie came today. Yippee! I got this new little mouse stamp, a new Changito monkey stamp, a round it all, and some chipboard coasters. I have been looking at HL for the round it all but they are always sold out when I get there. So I finally just broke down and ordered one. I figured the shipping would be cheaper than the gas to drive back and forth each week.

I just had to put this mouse to ink and see what I could come up with. The stamp is Art Gone Wild Mouse Cookie. He was too cute to pass up! I colored the image with my Kohinoor pencils. I also stamped the card base with my SU Canvas background stamp (it has been a while since I inked one of those up). I used my new round it all to round the corners of the image and DP. I added some DP, ribbon, a clip, and some pink brads. "Hello" is from my Papertrey Ink word set, which I stamped in choc chip. I'm tickled with this little guy! This isn't a stamp I've seen before either. I'll try to get a new Changito card made soon too! You guys know how much I love those stamps.

Happy Birthday Sonya

I came home from work a little early today because I was not feeling well. I've taken some medicine and I was sitting here in front of the computer. I thought I would share this cute little card I made for a co-worker. I sat down last night to make Sonya a birthday card. I had some in my stash but I wanted to make one especially for her. I used my new little turtle stamp and colored it with my Kohinoor pencils again. I just love those pencils and I don't know how I colored before I had them. They are so easy to blend and super easy to use! So I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss the background. I thought this one was appropriate since it has flowers on it. Then I added some ribbon and a flower brad at the bottom. I was going to add 3 brads but they were a little big and I didn't want it to be overpowering. The inside is stamped with "happy birthday." I hope she enjoyed the card and her lunch! We always order lunch for our grade level on his/her birthday.

Mad Scientist Test Tubes

I am making these cute little test tubes for Halloween. I figured I would fill them with some candy or something. I used my new A Muse stamps on this project. The mad scientist cracked me up so I had to order him. For every year for the last several years we have had Scientist Day on Halloween at school. We do science experiments all day so I thought this little guy was so appropriate for me! So, I cut my circles out with my nesties. I stamped "Brewing up some fun" on the labels that came with the Martha Stewart test tubes. I also use my little tag gun to put the tag on the ribbon I put around the top of the tube.

Turtle's Flowers

Some of my new stamps came in the mail! Yippie! This one is Inky Antics Turtle's Flowers. I really haven't been feeling well today but I had to ink up this new stamp. I used some of my DP (pink) and garden green. I cut the circles out with my Nesabilities. The image was colored with my Kohinoor pencils and then I added a little glitter to the turtle's shell. I also got 3 large rolls of ribbon from Really Reliable Ribbon today. So I finally have white ribbon again!

Is it winter yet?

I pulled out this Bella that hasn't seen ink yet. I have seen her and bought her at the end of last winter. I finally made a card with it. I used words from Cold Play to go along with her. I colored the image with my beloved Kohinoor pencils. I also added Stickles on the "fuzzy" parts of the coat and boots. It looks much better IRL.

Owl Baby Card for Trace

I have been involved in several baby showers for my friend Trace. I have also made some cards for her and I have just about used all my baby stamps. We had a baby shower for her at school today and I needed a cute card. I used my Gina K Owl Love You set. I picked the one with the eggs! I also used little baby prima flowers and baby rhinestones. I colored the image with my Kohinoor pencils and punched the edges using my SU template. She really loved the card! And I'm so glad because all the baby stamps have been used except the twins stamp I have! lol

For Moma's Birthday

I pulled out the PTI stamps to make my mom a birthday card. I wanted to make a one of a kind card to send to her. I normally give her a lot of my extra cards to send herself. So I didn't want to send her a card she already had! I used some of my beloved Basic Grey paper and I pulled the colors from that. I really hope she likes it!

I'm also excited because I have several new stamps/toys coming my way! Check back for some new posts when they get here!

Another Verve Challenge

I made this card for the Meet the Verve Challenge on SCS. The challenged call for us to use some items that need some love. I'm pretty sure they meant to use old items, however, I used new things that needed some love! I picked up this DP at HL Monday an I had to use it. The funny thing is that I had the whole card put together except the stamped image. Normally I do it the other way around. So I pulled out my VV set that is my go to. I also got this brown satin ribbnon at Target this weekend. I got a roll of 15 yds. for $2.99. I just couldn't pass that up! Especially since I use brown on just about every card.

BSC44

I made this card for the Bella Challenge BSC44 over on SCS. It was a sketch challenge, which are my favorites. I pulled out some old things as well as my new Michael's $1 stamps. I'm not too crazy about the $1 stamps because they aren't real crisp and they don't stay on the block too good. But what can you expect for $1!?! I used my old SU DP from last year, but I didn't have much left! I also used my nesties to cut out the circles and scallop circles.

Monogram Gift Tin & Cards

I made an altered tin this week for a friend. She is going through a rough time and I wanted to send her a little something to brighten her day. I made this and some cards to match.

I made one set of cards using the same paper I used on the tin. The other set I used the paisley paper which has the same color scheme. I put her initials on them and was thinking she could use them as thank you notes or just to send a note to someone. I really hope she likes the set. I have to get a box to put in all in so I can get it mailed to her.

VSN Fancy Nancy

This card was made for the Fancy Nancy challenge VSN. I decided to go with the pink and silver color combo. I also colored the butterfly with my glitter pens and I added some flowers and bling. The background was embossed with my Cuttlebug embossing folder. I took a close up picture of the stamped image so you can see the glitter. The photos don't do this one justice.

VSN The Color Purple

Here's the card I made for the Color Purple challenge for SCS VSN. I'm not normally a purple kind of girl. So I was looking through my paper and found this purple paper with a black tint to it. I knew this was what I needed. I embossed the Symbols of Solicitude stamped image faith. I also stamped the leaf image from Embrace Life on the background. It is a very simple card but I like the way it turned out.

VSN- AUG08VSND

I used my Gina K stamp set to make the card for the AUG08VSND challenge for Virtual Stamp Night. The challenge was to make a card with flocking or felt. I don't have any flocking, but Chris brought some stick on felt home the other day and said I might be able to use it on one of my cards.

So I ran it through the Cuttlebug with my Nesties and got a perfect circle for the moon. I colored the image with my Kohinoor pencils and blended it. Then I sponged the background with Night of Navy ink. I even added a little Crystal Effects on the eyes to make them shine.

VSN AUG08VSNC

I made a card tonight! This one is for the VSN challenge AUG08VSNC. I have never made a card like this. This is also the first time I've made one of these bookmarks with the big paper clip. This challenge was posted by Markie's Mom and she had a little tutorial on how to make this book mark into a card. There is very little stamping on this card because I used the cut outs that go along with the designer paper I used. This is some of my favorite paper!

Where have I been?

I know some of you have been wondering what happened to me! It has been a week or so since I posted. Well, school started back last week it was time for me to go back to work. The kids came back Wednesday. On top of not feeling great, the day at work was enough to wipe me out. I have come home every night and taken a nap until time to go to bed! I get up long enough to take my bath and move to the bed. I hope I'll be able to get back to my routine so I'll have some time to stamp.

I did make a couple of cards this weekend. The first one is using the cute little penguin stamp I found at my LSS for $0.99! I thought he was too cute so I had to get one. I also got the girl penguin with the hula skirt on, but I haven't used her yet.

I also made some monogram cards for myself. I loved the colors on the cards I made for Kelly that I had to make some for myself. So I made a set to keep at school in case I need cards to send while I'm there! I also made another set just like these for a friend at work who wanted some as well.

Arte y Pico Award

I was given the Arte y Pico by Ann at Creative Antics. Thank you for the aware Ann!

Here are the rules for the award: 1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone. Remember to leave the person a comment or email to let them know they received the award.3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

I have a lot of blogs I visit so it is so hard to narrow down my choices! Here are the 5 blogs I have decided to award the Arte y Pico.

1. Angie at Chic n' Scratch

2. Faith at Stampin' With Markie's Mom

3. Sarah at Sarah's Creations

4. Kirsten at Confessions of a Naptime Stamper

5. Laura at Scrapnextras

Blogging Award & Monogram Gift

I got a blogging award from Jackie. Click here to check out her blog! It was super sweet of her to give me the award and the wonderful comment about my blog. Thanks Jackie! Once you get tagged you have to tag others and here are the rules:

1. Only 5 people allowed

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog & live in another part of the world

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award

And the awards go to...

Dragana Skoro

Pamela Godfrey

Trace Lawrence

Tracy

Amanda Sewell

I know I have several comments from most of these ladies. I appreciate all the comments every leaves. I guess it is just a little validation for me!

My friend, Kelly, asked me to make a set of monogram cards for her to give to her SIL. She is getting married and Kelly wanted to give her some cards with her new monogram. She said not to use bright colors and she left it open from there. So, this is what I came up with. I used some of my DP that I love! I used Old Olive for the base color. I also got to add some of the great ribbon my secret sis sent me this round. I just love that olive ribbon with the green stitch on the outside edge. I also made a little paper box to put the cards and envelopes in. I hope she likes it!

Selling some stamps

Well, I cleaned out my stamps and I have several sets I need to get rid of (so I can buy some more). The aren't getting any love at my house. They are all mounted and not used very much. They are all Stampin' Up stamp sets. If you are interested in any of them just send me an e-mail or post here.

All I Have Seen
Alphabet Soup
Alphabits
The Art of Life
Baby Firsts
Big Blossom
By Definition
Dots & Daisies Background
Haute Couture
In Full Bloom
On the Beach
On the Spot
Pick a Petal- Only used once
Print Pattern Background
Reverse Prints
Riveting- Never Used
Shapes & Shadows
Sparking Summer
Tags & More
Weather or Not
What's for Dinner
Winged Things

CC177

I had lunch with my mom today and when I got home I decided to check out the color challenge on SCS. Today's challenge is CC177, Groovy White Sands. I decided to use my Butterfly Kisses stamp set from PTI. I'm not sure why I've been making butterfly cards lately. So I stamped the paisley butterfly with my sahara sand and the words are stamps in Groovy Guava. I added a few brads in the corner after using my paisley cuttlebug embossing folder. This is a nice, simple card to make.

Pink Butterfly

I pulled out my Wonderful Wings set because it needed some love. I have some of them that haven't even seen ink! Can you believe that? So this is one that I have never used before. I colored it with my Koh-i-noor pencils and then used my glitter pen to add glitter to part of the wings. I did a close up of the butterfly so you can see the glitter I added.

I also dug through my little bag of prima flowers to find some to use on this card. And of course, I added some rhinestones to the flowers.

Gina K's 2nd Challenge

I couldn't resist using this set when I saw Gina K's 2nd challenge on SCS. I decided to keep the colors of the card a little dull so the ribbon pops a little more. I pulled colors from the ribbon and I used True Thyme and Sahara Sand. Then I added the ribbon that I haven't even used yet. I love ribbon and I have so much of it. A lot of it hasn't even been used! So I picked my ribbon first. This stamp set just cracks me up!

Gina K Challenge #4

I finished Challenge #4 from the Gina K thread on SCS. It was another sketch layout. For some reason, when I was making this I thought it was an oval. Well, it ended up being a circle so I guess I changed it a little bit. I used my oval nesties to cut out the ovals.

Night Owls

I made this one for the Gina K Circle Challenge on SCS. If you note the time this was post was made you can see that this is truly a night owl card. I used my nesties to cut the not quite navy card base in a circle and the so saffron to look like the moon. I had this idea in my head and I just couldn't go to bed until it was done. I normally make 4 or more of the same card when I sit down and make them. But this just might be a one of a kind card because it was so difficult to cut around all those leaves. I am pleased with the result. Now... I'm off to bed!

Teachers Night Out

I just got home from girls' night out with the teachers from my school. We had a night of fun as a get together before school starts. We met and they had food for us, which I didn't eat. I won a door prize too- I got 2 movie tickets so Chris and I can go see a movie. We had a lot of fun hanging out and catching up since we've been out for the summer. We went to see Mamma Mia! and it was pretty funny. It wasn't something I would have picked but it was a good movie.

When I got home I had to finish this card I left unfinished to go to the get together. This is for the first Gina K challenge over at SCS. This first one was a sketch challenge. I do believe those are my favorite kind of challenges because I don't have to figure out a lay out and it helps me try something a little different from what I normally do. I just love this little pig from Gina K so I used it. I also added some prima flowers and rhinestones in the bottom corner. I rounded all the corners with my corner rounder. I hope you like it! I'll be doing the rest of the challenges tomorrow so check back for more!

Just Rite CPS #74

I made this card for CPS #74. I picked out my DP first, before starting the card. I tried to pick colors from the paper to use for matting and stamping. I used my Just Rite monogram stamp to stamp "Love" and the circle around it. I ended up using my Stampamajig to line up the circle around the word. It is hard to tell in the pictures but the circle is stamped in Choc Chip and the word is done in Cert. Celery. I added some brown brads I picked up at the LSS and some brown ribbon from Walmart. I hope you like it!

My Mojo Checked Out for the Night

See why I haven't posted in a little while? I've been working on Trace's baby shower invites. So far I have 15 made. I have 10 more to go and I ran out of red ribbon. So I have to order some more before I can finish them. So I put them away in little baggies and thought I would make something else.








I don't know but I think I've lost my mojo! I have seen so many cute cards on SCS with this little gator. So I thought I would try one myself. I'm not happy with the way this card turned out. I've not been feeling great lately. My CD is flaring and I think it is squashing my creative abilities. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

I ordered 2 new Changito monkey stamps today and I can't wait until they get here. I'm getting a Halloween monkey and the winter monkey w/hot cocoa. I start back to school the end of next week so I won't be posting near as often as I have this summer. I won't have near as much time to stamp when I actually have to work, lol!