Daily Motivational Quote

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We each must make our own journey. -- Karen Casey

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Daily Motivational Quote

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Optimism is a crucial choice we make in establishing expectations for ourselves and others as we begin to move forward through adversity. -- Christopher Novak

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Daily Motivational Quote

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The soul's answer to the problem of time

is the experience of timeless being.

There is no other answer.

-- Jacob Needleman

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Have a great snowy day and stay warm!

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Daily Motivational Quote

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A Little More Effort … A Lot More Results
Think you have to make huge changes and expend a ton of extra energy to achieve bigger and better results? Think again! And consider this …

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At 211 degrees, water is very hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train.
Applying just one extra degree of temperature to water means the difference between something that is simply very hot and something that generates enough force to power a large machine.

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The message of this simple yet powerful metaphor should be clear to all:
Seemingly small things can make tremendous differences.

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The key learning is equally powerful:

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The application of additional heat (effort) to whatever task or activity you undertake will not only help you achieve the primary objective you seek, but also reap exponential rewards that are possible by applying one extra degree of effort.

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Have a Great Day!

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Thanks for Looking!

I need to take more pictures and upload them before I add more.
I hope you are getting some inspiration from what you have seen.
Go make it a Great Day!

Valentine's Day

Three little valentines we made at a January 2009 workshop using the Candy Lane designer paper and the new triple heart punch.

Upsy Daisy

Two versions of Upsy Daisy. The one on the left is stamped in Craft White then I used watercolor pencils to color in the daisy's. the one on the right is stamped in chocolate chip on creamy Carmel.

A little trick with the ribbon:

Wrap the ribbon around the 'subject' section you want it to go around.

Secret part: take a second piece of ribbon, slip it under the one attached to your project and, without tying a knot, make a regular bow. Now you can slip it from side to side to place it where you want it to be and the knot is much less bulky.

let me know if this works for you or if I need to do a tutorial.

5x7 Altered discontinued Formica Sample

Long Time Friend.

My all time favorite!

This is water colored with reinkers and the aqua painter.

I used the mini clip to hold the 'friend to friend' and the glittered side is using sticky strip in 2 sizes and cosmo glitters.

It is difficult to see but "It takes a long time to grow an old friend" is actually embossed in gold on bravo burgandy then layered on Night of Navy.

The straight pin that goes through the ribbon is just that, a quilters yellow head pin that was heated and dipped in embossing powder then I added a couple of little beads.

Flight of the Butterfly

My version of the flight of the butterfly stamp set.

I used the Scallop border punch for all the scallops.

The oval behind the Styled Vanilla is the new large oval. It really isn't that 'large'. I cut it in half and attached it to the back of the hardware after the sentiment was put in the inside.

I used crystal effects on the red butterflies to give them a little shine, then added a touch of dazzling diamonds.

the lavender butterfly was stamped twice, one on the paper and once on a scrap, then cut out and attached at the 'body' to give it dimension.

The Certainly Celery on the back was run through the Big Shot to give it some texture.

The scallops on the Certainly Celery have holes punched using the tool kit.

Flight of the Butter Fly and Dream a Little

This Beautiful Card is the creation of Nancy Cain.
She used Flight of the Butterfly and Dream a Little Stamp (the flower) sets.
Paper is:
Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, More Mustard, Really Rust, Very Vanilla and Juntos DSP.
Inks are:
Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Really rust and Stazon Black
Supplies to make this card:
1/16" circle punch; 1/4 " grosgrain ribbon in Mellow Moss; 1/8" red sticky tape; brads, dazzling diamonds glitter; embossing powder, dimensionals, heat & stick powder; paper piercer, sponges and scallop edge punch' and word window punch.
Thanks Nancy! This is absolutely beautiful!

Flight of the Butterfly

This darling card is the creation of Crystal French!

She used the So Saffron DSP and ribbon and whisper white layers.

the little butterfly was stamped and cut out then attached at the body making it look like it actually going to fly off the paper.

Thanks Crystal! Darling Card!

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1 and Upsy Daisy

Dear Friend on the left. By the way, the doodles around the edge are just free hand using the coordinating markers on all these cards. They aren't a stamp.

I used the banner on this one again as well as the sizzix die cuts.

On the Right the Upsy Daisy set is used at the bottom and the ribbon is added to the top as well as the spiral punch.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Pink Roses, DSP and pocket Silhouettes on the left and some bling added in the corners.

Yellow roses on the right, DSP and pocket Silhouettes and All Holidays making this one a Mother's Day card.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Dear Friend.. I am doubling up now because, by now, you know the routine.

These are poppies on the left and Yellow roses on the right. Sizzix labels on both as well as Pocket Silhouettes. More Mustard ribbon on the left and the new wide so saffron on the right. The So Saffron ribbon is attached on the back with red-line tape, the ribbon is threaded through the tag then a knot is tied on the end. It is attached using a glue dot. The tag has a dimensional under it.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Another Dear Friend.....
This time I used Old Olive gros grain ribbon and I sponged the edges of the top note so it would stand out a little more on the DSP.
Pocket silhouettes on the envelope.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Ok, How about Pink Roses this time.

Pink dsp, and pocket silhouettes on the bottom of the top note and on the envelope.

What in the world am I going to do when August comes? I love this little flower set so much.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Another Dear Friend.. are you tired of it yet?
How about....... now?

Not me!
Yellow roses again!
I used pocket silhouettes on the top note and then added a little sizzix tag that says "Thanks so Much" and threaded organza ribbon through it.

and the usually: water color crayons, gel pen, water color paper, always artichoke, ticket punch, dsp, top note.
enjoy.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Another Dear Friend.
Are you getting tired of it yet?

I'm not.
This time I used the tool kit and punched holes in the upper left corner by the flowers and added the birds and flowers from the Big Shot Exclusive Dies from Stampin' Up!
The Dear Friend sentiment is stamped on whisper white, punched out using the word window, then sponged with so saffron.
I layered it on a double strip of paper ribbon which I notched at one end. I put Red-Line Sticky Strip on each end of the 'ribbon' and attached it so that it bowed out in the middle making a banner.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Another Dear Friend. This time I made the roses my favorite color: Yellow!

I used the watercolor crayons and aqua painter then highlighted with the white gel pen.

Little images like this are soooo versatile! They can be used for almost any occasion you can come up with!

This one is for Easter from the All Holidays set which is in the new Styled Vanilla HodgePodge hardware set.

I ran white gros grain ribbon through it and tied it in a double knot. The background is again just a piece of designer series paper (DSP for short)

I used the pocket silhouettes on the envelope that you can see at the left of the card.

Enjoy

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

I absolutely love this little set and I am so sorry it is a Hostess set as it will be gone in August 2009 when the new catalog comes out. Hostess sets are only available during the current catalog so I have to make the most of the ones I absolutely love!

This one is stamped in basic black on water color paper.

I used the watercolor crayons and the aqua brush to color it, then layered it on Not Quite Navy and Old Olive then Not quite Navy again. I used the ticket punch on the first 2 layers and the Spiral Punch on the last one.

The whole thing was attached to DSP and then whisper white card stock.

I used the organza ribbon that is now discontinued and, using gold cord, added the little tag that says Cherish.

Oh, I forgot: On the last one and this one, after the water coloring was dried, I used the white gel pen to add accents to the flowers and leaves.

enjoy.

Dear Friend Hostess Level 1

Hostess Level 1 Dear Friend Set.

I used the watercolor crayons and the aqua brush to water color the image on watercolor paper. It islayered on So Saffron, Old Olive then dsp and a Whisper White Top Note die cut from Big Shot. It is then layered on another dsp and finally on Tangerine Tango Card Stock.

On the Top Note I stamped Upsy Daisy in So Saffron and the Birthday Greetings in Tangerine Tango.

Daily Motivational Quote

The more involved clients

are the more loyal they become. -- Todd Duncan

Daily Motivational Quote

Golden Rule principles are just as necessary for operating a business profitably as are trucks, typewriters, or twine. --

James Cash (J.C.) Penney

Daily Motivational Quote

Become a hunter of blessings, actively seeking them out in every experience and person you encounter. -- Kate Nowak

4x5 Formica Altered Discontinued Sample

Another prayer for our troops from a sweet lady in Salida whose son is in Iraq.

This one has the scrapbook paper on a 4x5 formica sample then a smaller formica sample that is actually wood and not formica is layered on top of that.

The prayer is printed on Kraft paper, sponged around the edges. I attached Eyelets using the crop-a-dile and layered it on Handsome Hunter then Old Olive then the wood sample using dimensionals between each layer.

I stamped some Priceless at the bottom, used the painty pen in gold where ever there were tiny dots, then added some green crystals.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

Selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,

Our Lord and Savior.

Amen

I am sorry I do not know who wrote this prayer so I would give them the credit.

5x7 Altered discontinued Formica Sample

A Soldiers Mom had this prayer up on her bulletin board. I borrowed it, copied it and have made several of these Altered Formica Samples using this prayer.

I punched 1 inch circles to go behind the buttons and layered them on the side with gold cord knotted through the holes.

I used the certainly celery ribbon and hung a little charm that looks like a very mini soldiers dog tag and 3 charms: "U S A" hanging by gold cord from the ribbon.

The Prayer is layered on Certainly Celery then Rose Red then onto the formica sample with dimensionals between each layer.

A Soldier's Prayer

Oh God, please send me guidance,

Strength and courage from above,

As I stand ready to defend

The Country that I love.

Help my loved ones left behind

And give them courage too,

To support me and to understand

the work that I must do.

Watch over me and all my buddies

on native soil or foreign lands,

for do matter where we're stationed,

we are always in your hands.

Amen

R.K. Cecil 1991

5x7 Altered discontinued Formica Sample

It takes a long time to grow an old friend.

This little stamp is from our previous catalog but I can't seem to let it go.

It is stamped using Classic Basic Black on water color paper after color washing the area with bashful blue.

The image was water colored using reinkers, layered on a scrap of Bravo Burgundy which was not as wide as the water color paper. that was layered with dimensionals over So Saffron, then layered again over Mellow Moss, again using dimensionals. I punched the side with the spiral punch, wrapped the under side with satin ribbon, put an altered pin in the knot of the bow, and added a new little clip with gold cord wrapped around it.

The Sentiment "Friends" was stamped and embossed in silver then I used a white gel pen to fill in the flowers and the word 'Friends'.

5x7 Altered discontinued Formica Sample

I love this Sentiment:

Success is not final,

Failure is not fatal..

It is the courage to continue that counts.

by Winston Churchill

This is another altered formica sample with discontinued scrapbook paper. I stamped French Script on it and some Priceless Swirls, added some crystals and some wire with beads attached under the sentiment.

The lower 'banner' says:

The Secret to having it all,

is believing

you already do.

I don't know who to give credit for this one but I used the Red Line tape on each end, rolled it with my figer to push it out a little, and attaced it with the raised portion in the middle giving it awesome dimension.

The chocolate satin ribbon has but one loop and I pushed one of my altered straight pins into the knot on the bow.

to alter the pin, heat the plastic ball head of a quilters pin, dip it in embossing powder (in this case I used copper), re-heat, re-dip (3 times) the third time it will be almost liquid. Immediately hold vertical between your thumb and finger and roll it while it cools so it becomes a tear drop. Add more beads and a drop of Crystal Effects to keep them from sliding off and attach to your project.

Technique: Big Shot

Merry Christmas!

This was my Christmas Card for 2009. It is difficult to see but the snow on the tree and the steps are super glittered just like the diamonds in the snow. The sled has silver on the 'metal' parts.

The image was stamped on Whisper White using Classic Basic Black after it was run through the Big Shot using the Top Note Dye Cut. I attached the whisper white to Garden Green and cut it out by hand, then attached that to Real Red Card Stock.

The inside also has a Whisper White Note to write on.

5x7 Altered discontinued Formica Sample

I love this little bunny. He is from the Serene Spring Hostess level 2 from the Fall and Winter Idea Book.

The Easter Wishes sentiment is from All Holidays.

I stamped the image using Classic Basic Black on water color paper after doing an all over So Saffron watercolor wash.

Using reinkers and an aqua painter, I painted the little set, layered it on Old Olive and Chocolate Chip, added brads and wrapped it with a satin ribbon.

The lower section is Scalloped and brads added over a layer of More Mustard.

The Easter Wishes is in the new Styled Vanilla Hardware. I punched the new large oval in the More Mustard but it isn't quite big enough so I cut it in half and attached it to the back of the hardware, then attached the whole thing to the card stock.

The back of the sample has a magnet on it to attach to my front door, which is steel. Makes it easy to change the Occasion and I can have a new one every month!

Angel, caught red pawed.

BUSTED!

I think she has her hand in the cookie jar and is trying to look so "who me? what bag?"

Most Awesome Husband and Angel

My most awesome husband, biggest fan, and critique as he caught Angel in mid air on her way to my stamping desk.

Doesn't she just look so innocent?

Angel, with that "whaaat?" look she is so good at. March 2009

Angel loves to jump up in the middle of my Stamping Desk when I am hard at work, Completely surprising me, then slowly turning to look at me with that "What?" look.

I have had many projects destroyed with 'someones' foot print that mysteriously went from stamp pad to project in a split second.

You would think I would lock myself in my room when I am working.

Technique: Water Color

Happy Thanksgiving!

This little card was made by using Happy Blessings. Stamped on Water Color paper in Classic Basic Black, then, using reinkers and a water color brush, Paint in your colors.

Technique: Pocket Card

another version of the Double Pocket Card from the previous Post.

Technique: Pocket Card

I just love these little pocket cards. They are made using 1 sheet of dsp (designer series paper) double sided.

The color was a little off on the first card but it shows the 2 pockets which I put cards with tabs in so you can pull them out. I have one with several tabs, decorated with a Christmas Theme and it has several sections: Cards Sent and Received (with the names of the people I sent cards to and the names of people I have received cards from so I can be sure to send them a card if they were not on my list); Holiday Gift List: With all my kids and grand kids I sure don't want to leave someone out so I list everyone I need to get a gift for and mark my list when I have purchased their gift. I have a separate page for each person so this is actually a little tiny mini folder; Holiday Grocery List: The special things you have to get during this time of year to make the home made fudge, special dips, special side dishes. When you get ready to go to the store, just grab this list and take it with you.

I made one for my Husband for his birthday with 2 separate cards, one in each of the pockets of things I love about him.

Now, you come up with your own reason to make this cute little pocket card.

If you need directions or a tutorial, let me know and I will publish one with pictures for each step. Or, if you are in the Colorado Springs Area, email me and we will set up a time for your own class to make this cute card.

Think about: Mother's day or Easter and put little silk flowers in the back pocket and your own little personal note in the front pocket.

Technique: Seregraph

This technique is created with the brayer.

First Stamp your image (in this case the lighter colored images) is Versamark on glossy card stock.

Next, using the brayer, roll blocks of the lighter color where you want them.

Clean the brayer, and roll on the next color and, if desired, slightly overlap the lighter color in some instances.

Clean the brayer again, then roll the third and darkest color where you want.

Buff the entire card with a tissue and the light stamped areas will show thorugh.

Then, to continue, you can use another stamp and stamp in the medium or darker color over the image where desired. In this case I stamped ferns from the same stamp set in the green, then buff again. Cut to fit and embellish as desired.

Call me for complete details.

Technique: Salted Background

Salted Background 2nd Version.

See the previous post for directions.

I love these long cards. This one opens in the middle with the 'tree' section only attached to the top fold. It raised up and the bottom folds down to reveal the inside where you would have your sentiment and can make your own comments.

Technique: Salted Background

This is a long card using the Salted Background and Lovely as a Tree.

Create your background by using a brayer and the color of your choice on glossy card stock. When it is a solid color, sprinkle table salt or sea salt all over the the card stock. Don't make it solid but more a random sprinkle. It is ok to get it heavier in some places but not solid salt. Spritz the entire area with water and let it dry naturally. The salt leaves splotches where it dried which is the effect you are looking for. When it is completely dry, brush off the dry salt and stamp your image, in this instance I used Lovely as a Tree.

Technique: Water Color

This is another card I really had a hard time trying to get the color right in the photograph.

Believe it ornot the french words in the back ground are actually Going Gray and look Yellow in this picture.

Mr. Rooster has glitter on his tail and the sponging is actually much softer around the edges.

I took many pictures and gave up on the quality issue but wanted to share this magnificent Alarm Clock .. aaah Rooster. He is a level 2 Hostess set that will go away in August so If you love him as much as I do, you need to contact me to get yours before he goes away forever.

I really don't think Stampin' Up! has ever had a better version of this Magnificent Mr. R.

Technique: Simple Thank You

This picture does not do this card justice. it is the new pink piroette card stock and Chocolate chip satin ribon. These colors are so delicious together.

And, I love the new little label punch Stampin' Up! has... ok, so now I have too!

Technique: More is More and More Can you see the difference?

I just love this technique where you mask the design and overlap it so it galls off the side of the template.

The first one doesn't have the black behind the whisper white like the 2nd one does.

The Third one has Crystal Effects in the center of the flowrs with more mustard micro beads in the center and glitter on the flower petals.

Technique: Water Color

This is one of my most favorite flowers.

My little grandma in Ponca City belonged to the Iris Club there and grew the most beautiful Iris' you have ever seen.

I just absolutely loved this stamp and was so very sad when it was retired. I kept it and bring it out sometimes to create something that I can remember her by again and again.

I love you Grandma.

4x5 Formica Altered Discontinued Sample

Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them.

Another altered formica sample, but put into a beautiful oak frame and embellished with Crystal's Bling. Her name fits her so well!

You can't see it very well, but the little flowers on the sentiment have lots of glitter that doesn't show up very well in a photograph

Technique: Water Color

Another 5x7 Special Request Card.

Stamped with Classic basic black, Color washed the back ground and, using reinkers, painted the flower.

I really miss this stamp set.

Technique: Water Color

Special Request for 5x7 Cards.

These little mums were perfect for this card was great.

I did a light grey wash on the watercolor paper first, then stamped the flowers in Classic Basic Black and let it dry.

I then used the aqua brush to color the image, then glittered the flowers (which doesn't show in the picture)

I wrapped it is copper cord and added copper brads in the corner

Technique: Masking

I just love these little bee's.

I stamped the Bee Hive first.

Then I stamped it on a post it note and cut it out. I laid the post it note image on top of the already stamped image of the bee hive on my card stock, and stamped the flowers over it.

Now, it looks like the flowers are behind the hive!

To add more dimension I stamped the little note over the door (hive sweet hive) on another piece of card stock, cut it out and attached it with dimensionals so it pops out.

To be able to 'float' the little bees where ever I wanted them to be, I stamped them on scrap card stock, punched them out then added them with dimensionals where they needed to be.

Now, I am going to have to go make another card with this set. I just love it.

It can't bee that it is beecause my nickname is bebe is it?

Technique: Paper Piecing

The Inside of the "Buzzin By" card. This is called Paper Piecing. You stamp your image on the Card or Scrapbook page, in this case the Honey Pot. Then stamp the image on a different card stock or designer paper. In this case I stamped it on Whisper White, Water colored it, added Crystal Effects to the part that is Honey dripping over the edge and let it dry. I then cut out the pot "INSIDE" the lines. When you attach it to your card the lines are already there for you and the image pops out!