You Are Fabulous!

I got this fun stamp set at convention, and really like it!  It is a very confidence-boosting sentiment perfect for sending a card to a great friend.   I embossed the main image in white embossing powder, and it gave it a kind of 'chalkboard' look, which was also a theme at convention.

 After I took this picture on the balcony of my new house, it blew away!  I went racing after it, and thankfully was able to rescue it from the rocks outside the patio below.  I need to keep working on my light box...

Christmas in August

I have been in the mood to create Christmas cards lately, and didn't get to use much of my Christmas supply last year.  I figured I would get a head start this year and make some Christmas cards and gifts early.  This card was inspired by a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  This is my first time to play along with this sketch challenge and have enjoyed seeing all the possibilities a single sketch can inspire.  Thanks for stopping by!

Snow Much Fun with Blue!

Wow, a high quality camera can really make a difference.  I got a Nikon D3000 camera and it is great!  It is the newer version of the Nikon D40, which was my previous model.  What I like about it the most is that it has a 'guide mode' where it helps me take better pictures.  Say hello to brighter, crisper pictures!

I participated in a color challenge on Splitcoaststampers.com where Tempting Turquiose, Pacific Point, and Night of Navy blues were the selected combination.  And, since I love blue so much I just had to play along!  Online challenges are a fun way to expand creativity and try new things!

Spotlight on Sponging

I made this simple one layer card using the sponging technique I found at a tutorial located here.  I used baja breeze for the base color and then midnight muse for the darker color.  The flower is also stamped in midnight muse with the new Stampin' Up! foam pads - it leaves such a crisp image!  I left the middle without much sponging to allow for a lighter area. Placing two large sticky notes on each side of the sponging area provides the crisp clean edge lines.  This photo also demonstrates my first attempt with my homemade photo light box.  I was thinking of purchasing one, but the cost ($50-100) and the questionable reviews of the products left me wondering if there was a more cost effective way.  So, I found the following tutorial and made my own:  Make your own inexpensive photo light tent.  I spent about $10 for the cost of supplies, and most of the cost went toward the light bulbs.

Of course, the photo does not yet fulfill my expectations.  I used my cheap digital camera to take this photo, as my more expensive SLR camera fell onto the concrete out of my hands and now does not work.  I have ordered a new camera and am anxiously awaiting its arrival so I can see if the cards have a crisper image and to check the photo light box for adequacy.

What a Lovely Friend!

My friend Darci Johnson made this beautiful thank-you card for me, and I wanted to share her beautiful creation with you.  She used many new products from both the 2012-13 Stampin' Up! Catalog and the new Holiday mini catalog.

Stamps:  Lovely and Lacy
Paper & Ink:  Midnight Muse, Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Window Frames Framelits Dies, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder - new from Holiday Catalog!

I am finalizing some details for classes this fall - stay tuned for a class schedule through December.  Also, if you are interested in joining this year's Stamp Club, I still have some spots left!