Another non-winner!

I had high hopes for this card. I entered it into the "Creative Cards for Kids" category of last months' TAC Contests. The bad news is that it didn't win. The good news is that they liked it enough to put it on the website!

http://www.theangelcompany.net/Touches79.html

One of these days I'm gonna win! Just not anytime soon, apparently :-)

Baby Gift

I made a bunch of these to give as a baby gift to one of my neighbors... she just had her 3rd girl, so she certainly wasn't in need of clothes :-) I figured she COULD use some thank-you notes, though :-) The stamp is from the "Little Friends" set that I am absolutely adoring! The paper is from Michael's.

Fair Winds and Following Seas...

Loving my military stamps from www.artdeclassified.com

Check 'em out! :-) This one is for Capt. Doyle's retirement. Stephen wanted me to use cammo paper at first, but I decided that would look silly since clearly he's in his dress uniform!

A Card from our workshop

We (well, at least I) had a lot of fun today. This is one of the cards we made. I love this set and the versatility of it... you can make all sorts of colored backgrounds. I may even try it in red and green for Christmas!

I was SO tired after everyone left that I wanted to crawl into bed at 7pm. Finally, at 9:00, I DID... and at 11:30 I still wasn't asleep, so I decided to get up and post something!

It's not that I haven't been stamping...

It's just that I've been busy stamping cards for us to make at the Open House/Catalogue unveiling on Sunday. So, I'm not posting them until afterwards so everyone can be surprised. We're making 5 cards with never-before-used stamp sets. As of right now, I have 4 of the 5 done. I just have to precut everything which won't be that bad.

Oh, and I've also been preoccupied flipping through the pages of the FABULOUS NEW TAC IDEA BOOK AND CATALOGUE. It's fantastic!!!! The new papers are incredible. I'm looking forward to this upcoming year, as crafting should be a joy (not that it isn't already).

Fanciful Flowers

I know, I know... enough of this set already! But I love it! I can't help it!!! This was a very easy card... I think I'm going to make a ton of them in different colors.

Raggedy Ann

This is a stamp from the new Rag Dolls set. I'm loving it! The background paper is Basic Grey, which I am sad to say is no longer being sold by TAC... BUT, we now have our own exclusive line of papers and I can't wait to get my hands on it and start playing!!!

Father's Day

So this was the extent of my creativity for poor Stephen's Father's Day card. In my defense, I got a monkey card for our first Valentine's Day together, so I guess we're even. I am absolutely loving this set from TAC. The designed is Missy B, and she has her own website where you can also purchase some of her other sets. Check out missybdesigns.com

Cammo Card

Well, this is the final design that was decided upon. I got the tea-stained background set off of e-bay last week. (TAC discontinued it last year.) I played around using brown, green, and black ink and I think I finally got the hang of making the cammo background. I stamped a whole sheet of khaki paper (much easier that way) and now I have to make another set for her nephew who graduated from West Point! Yes, I KNOW I could've just purchased cammo paper but that's not nearly as fun!!!

New stamps!!!

I got some new military stamps today. I only wish I had more time to play with them tonight before I collapse into bed (spent all day at Sesame Place and I'm beat!). These are samples that I've made for a friend, who wants to give them as a gift for Major McVeigh's promotion. I think I like the boots better. (Why maroon and white, you ask? They are the colors of the Medical Service Corps, of course!!!) :-)

The nice UPS man also left a box from TAC with some BRAND NEW stamps. We were allowed to pre-order some sets from the new catalogue, so I jumped at the chance to get some AND I got a free package of some of the new patterned paper... so, be on the lookout, as I plan to play with them soon!

Hungry Caterpillar ATCs

Here are the results of the Hungry Caterpillar swap I hosted on PCMB! We now have the whole story on ATCs. Of course I couldn't get them to display in order, but you'll figure it out!!!

Farewell, Yvonne!

Tomorrow is my mail-carrier's last day. So, I created this card to let her know she'll be missed. (She's VERY patient... I get TONS of mail because I'm hosting so many swaps... and I send out TONS of mail because I joined so many swaps!!!) This is a cute set from TAC. I think it was like $8 or something... I'm expecting it to be in the new catalogue. It's very similar to the "Let's Party" set from SU, but about 60% cheaper :-)

I bought a box of clear sheets used to make labels... then I typed up a bunch of cute sayings for cards and printed them out. The "Best of Cluck" is one of them. This is going to be SO MUCH EASIER than trying to print directly onto the paper.

The patterned paper is one of the new Basic Grey lines, and the stitching is just black marker. VERY simple card to make.

Another Lilac

The picture doesn't do this card justice. I used my watercolor crayons for this one (LOVE THEM!). I started with the stem, then stamped a bunch of the individual flowers in the shape of the lilac. Then, I stamped 5 more flowers on scrap paper and cut them out... then, mounted over the original flowers using pop dots to add some dimension. The "blessings" is embossed in white. This might have to be an entry into one of the TAC contests this month!!!

This was hard...

When I was in college, I taught the 6th grade girls' VBS class for several summers. I'll never forget the year I had Hannah Green... she was so vivacious and loveable! Shortly after returning to college that fall, I heard she had been diagnosed with leukemia. I remember calling her while she was still in the hospital, and thinking her attitude was remarkable.

Over a decade later, just in her twenties, Hannah lost her courageous battle this past week. This was a terribly difficult card to make, but I knew the paper from Dollar Tree would look fabulous with the lilac that I had seen April (Inkyhands) make out of my favorite stamp set. So, I put them together, along with this quote that I printed on vellum, and was very happy with the results. I only hope it brings some sort of comfort to a family who has lost a true gem.

Get your hands on the new 06-07 TAC Catalogue and Idea Book!

I am so super excited about this new catalogue. TAC has announced that they are unveiling a new line of exclusive patterned papers, along with matching accessories. They have also started referring to the Catalogue as an "Idea Book" so I am hoping that means more samples!!! Of course, there's guaranteed to be nifty new stamp sets, as well. I expect to receive the catalogues I pre-ordered sometime around 6/21 or so, and I can begin shipping them to those outside of Annapolis immediately thereafter! If you would like to pre-order yours for immediate shipment, all you have to do is Paypal $10 to lanettelepper@yahoo.com. Included will be a coupon for $5 off your first order of $25 or $10 off your first order of $50... I really wish I could send you all free catalogues, but I took a HUGE hit last year having to pay for them PLUS pay postage to send them all out. So, I hope you understand.

Those of you here in Annapolis... I am going to be planning a workshop on the last Sunday of June. (I think it's the 25th?) and you will have the opportunity to get your catalogue then (or earlier, if I'll see you before that point!)

Chores can wait...

crafting can't!!!!

So I know I said I was taking a break from swaps, but I joined like 5 more. My goal was to get them done this weekend so I can start seriously cleaning the house which leaves much to be desired. While I DID get them all done, tomorrow we have a BBQ in the afternoon so I guess the cleaning will have to wait until Monday. Too Bad! :-) I had the most fun with the RU Frugal swap. I encourage you to see what YOU can make with recycled items. You'll start seeing uses for all sorts of different items, and it will help you step up your creativity.

Would you like to swing on a star????

When I saw this swap posted, I had to join. One, because it's being hosted by Margo, a fellow TAC Angel here in MD, and TWO, because I've had the moon stamp for awhile and never even mounted it. So, I knew I could use it with my Country Jar set and come up with something cute. I am super happy with the way this one came out. It's almost exactly what I first visualized and that hardly ever happens when I'm crafting!!!

In the Jungle...

This is for a swap that I joined using cute jungle animals. This is another stamp that I haven't done much with... found the quote in the Pea Soup at www.twopeasinabucket (there are THOUSANDS of quote you can search through there. I use it frequently and highly recommend a visit if you're not familiar with it. Click on Resources and you'll see the Pea Soup link come up.)

Stars-n-Stripes

When I saw Pepper's post for a Stars-n-Stripes Swap, I had to join. I don't think I've ever used this stamp for anything, so I figured it was time to break it in. You can't tell from the picture, but the whole thing is covered in irridescent sparkle embossing powder, so it shimmers nicely.

Mission, Possible: Successfully Completed

This was a challenge swap. Our mission was to create ATCs with ALL of the following: a zigzag, a hole, something metallic, a triangle, a word or number, and ribbon (I think that's all). This is what I came up with. The 'stitching' is just black marker... I'd had enough sewing for awhile (see prior post re: my brother-in-laws stole).

RU Frugal???

Yes, Yes, I am!!!!

These are just a few of the ATCs I made for an "RU Frugal" swap... the challenge was to make ATCs out of recycled items. Some of the items I used for these cards are: cancelled stamps, jeweled flowers from dollar-store headbands that Abby refuses to wear, Christmas Cards, transparencies left over from my teaching days (don't worry, I paid for them out of my own pocket!), the cardboard packaging from Abby's plastic sunglasses, and images from the past issue of "Country Home"

Eric Carle ATCs

These are all of the ATCs that were made for the Eric Carle Swap I hosted. I think they are fabulous... nice job, ladies!!! (I made the purple dragonfly with a verse from The Very Quiet Cricket.)

And here's a somewhat related but nevertheless humorous story...

I made a binder for Abby to keep some ATCs in. I'll cut her some cardstock pieces and she'll color them, then tell me which ribbons she wants to decorate them with, etc. So, she's got a couple of ATC page protectors with about a dozen ATCs that either she's made or I gave to her. Last night, she brought the binder to Stephen and said "Read A T C Book" and he was kind of stunned, because he didn't know that SHE knew what they were called. Later, I said to her "Abby, what is this?" (holding up an ATC) and she comes back with "Trading Card"!!!!!!!!!!! You KNOW you're addicted when the two year old picks up on it!

It only took 3 years!!!

I started to cross-stitch this stole 3 years ago, when my brother-in-law was in his first year of seminary. I was so proud of myself for getting such an early start on his ordination gift! (It's not my favorite design or color, but I could only find ONE source for stole x-stitch charts so I had to take what I could get!) Last summer, before Joanna was born, I finished the cross-stitch part. I procrastinated on the sewing-assembly part because I just knew it was going to be a headache.

Well, last night I got tired of having it hanging over my head. At 8:30 I dug out the sewing machine and started. Around midnite, it actually started to LOOK like a stole! I still have to hem the bottoms (that's why they aren't the same length) and embroider a little message on the inside... but the worst is over. Thank goodness!

I know it's not papercrafting, but cross-stich IS my first love, so I had to share.

I've been busy!

Just because I haven't been posting as often doesn't mean I haven't been busy! I joined FIVE ATC swaps hosted by the same gal (hi Pepper!) and had lots of fun using different techniques on each of them. While I'm not sure I'll ever be using the crayon method again, it was neat to broaden my horizon and come up with something that isn't my normal style. I encourage you to do the same. What follows are the results of my endeavors. Enjoy!

Melted Crayon ATCs

Ok, so when Stephen and I first started talking about getting married, I made it clear to him in no uncertain terms that I would NEVER EVER iron his uniform, or any other clothing, for that matter. It's a chore I hate more than cleaning the toilet or emptying the dishwasher (which I really can't stand!!!). So, needless to say, it's been awhile since I've used one. (I was going to say "it's been awhile since I've touched one" but that would be a lie, since I'm always the one who has to put it away after he's ironed his uniform!!!!)

Here's the method... cover the iron with foil and turn it to medium heat (no steam). Color the foil with crayons (which will turn to liquid immediately, so hold the iron horizontally to avoid drip marks) and then lay a piece of cardstock onto the iron. It will then pick up the color from the crayons.

Originally, I wanted to use blue and green crayons for a sky/grass look, and then stamp a tree in black. Well, needless to say I had no control over where the melting crayons went and I ended up with a mess. So, then I decided to try for a monochromatic look and used blue crayons. But when I tried to stamp over it, the was was too dark and I couldn't see the stamped image. So, back to the iron I went.

This time, I used light grey and the lightest blue I could find. When I cut the cardstock into ATC-sized pieces, I decided it looked like the sky in a storm. So, I got out the lighthouse stamp, remembered this quote, and bing, bang, boom... they were done!

Double-Stamped ATCs

This is a technique I'd heard about, but never tried. Here's what I did:
1. Stamped the square in pink ink.
2. Stamped the flower onto the square, which removes the ink
3. Stamped the square onto white cardstock.

It works much better with a solid stamp. I had several stamps I had wanted to use, but they were all outlines and didn't 'pick up' the ink that well. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it almost looks like it's been bleached, if any of you have every done THAT technique. I tried it once and wrecked the shirt I was wearing, so never again!!! The pretty flower paper is from Michael's (like I said previously, 4/$1 this week. Can't go wrong!)

Quilled ATCs

It's been years since I did any quilling! It was something I started to dabble in while Stephen was deployed to Okinawa with the Seabees. So, of course, one of the first things I had to quill was a bee! For this swap, I dug out my supplies and found lots of yellow and black strips, so I resorted back to my old favorite.

Folded ATCs

The only rule for this swap was that the ATCs had to be folded, which allows for a larger canvas to decorate. Since I wanted to be different, I decided to go with the Christmas Theme. I embossed the Gingerbread Man in white on brown paper. Then, I embossed him in white on green paper and cut out the bow, which I mounted on the original. I chalked his cheeks with red, and the paper is from The Christmas Stack. Love that stuff!

Not once, BUT TWICE, I toppled over the container of embossing powder. I said a very bad word the second time!!! And no matter how hard you try, it's impossible to get that powder off of the floor. It's stuck between the crevices, too, since the wood floors are old and separating!!!

Patriotic ATCs

For this swap, I killed two birds with one stone. You see, the students that I taught at the Naval Academy Prep School (we were stationed in Newport, RI) are graduating tomorrow here at the Naval Academy. I have kept in touch with several of them, and wanted to send a unique Congratulations card. So, I made many extra of these ATCs, mounted them on a white card, and voila! It's hard to see in the picture, but behind the Navy Seal are the words to the Oath that they will take as they are commissioned into the Navy (and will continue to take every time they are promoted.) Also, it's impossible to tell from the picture, but the seal is raised with a thin pop-dot to give it some dimension.

Live, Laugh, Love

I made these ATCs for a swap... anything goes as long as they are based on a design from either of the JOCM magazines. This one is from the original... I think it's recipe 23 or something like that. I forget. The big 'L' is from a set of foam stamps I got off e-bay, and the sentiment is done on the computer. Paper is Wild Asparagus which happens to be on sale this week at Michael's... 4/$1.00 (If you didn't get any last time, I highly recommend a trip!!!)

UTEE Christmas

I made these ATCs for a Technique swap I joined yesterday. I chose UTEE. It stands for Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and until yesterday I had never used it. (I got a jar in my $10 bargain bag at the craft flea market. Considering it usually sells for $6.99 that was almost worth the whole bag right there!).

To make the shiny metal-like embellishment, I stamped a square with Versamark and embossed it with gold powder. Immediately (while it was still hot) I poured a layer of UTEE over it and melted that until it was smooth. Then, I firmly pressed the ornament stamp in it and held it for 10 seconds. Voila! It's a very small image, since this IS an ATC, but I have a larger ornament stamp (so do you, Anita!) that would look cool if I decided to make a Christmas Card. The paper is the "Blitzen" Collection by Basic Grey.

You can also do 2 and 3 layers of UTEE for deeper impressions. Plus, if you wait until it cools, you can twist it and it'll look like shattered glass. It's pretty cool. I'm definitely gonna play with it some more.

The Quilt of My Life

Any one who knows me knows that I love all things 'country'... baskets, quilts, pottery, and "furniture that looks like you tossed it down a flight of stairs" as my husband is fond of saying. I was born and raised in New England not far from Old Sturbridge Village, and I am truly a country girl at heart. I am also a cheap Yankee, so I save ALL of my scraps from papercrafting.

So today, when I saw a swap for quilt ATCs, I knew I had to join (even though I'm trying to drastically cut down time spent on swaps). I was so excited that I had to make my cards tonight or I wouldn't be able to fall asleep (how pathetic is that?) So, here they are. I had SO MUCH FUN making them. I'm going to make more in the future, I think, with a more complicated quilt pattern. This is a simple nine-patch. The quote reads "The quilt of my life is made of imperfect pieces lovingly fitted together by the Master Craftsman to form a beautiful pattern. He makes no mistakes." I'm super happy with the way they came out... probably because they are so 'me'!

I Can't Go On Like This!!!

So, hubby made a comment a few days back about how nice it would be to have the hammock set up in our back room again (when we first moved in, didn't have the 2nd child, and I had no clue what The Angel Company was... we actually had the space to set up a hammock in the 3rd 'bedroom'... since there's no closet in the room, and has windows on 3 sides, it's obvious to me that it was originally meant as a SUN ROOM! And with those windows open, on the third floor, it IS a nice place for a hammock. The problem is that I had slowly taken over the space as my own, and filled it with lots of craft stuff!)

Figuring it was the least I could do for the guy who so seldom wants anything at all... I started cleaning out. No small task. Not fun. After awhile I got really sick of it and just started shoving stuff in boxes! So now I have 8 boxes that I have to empty before we move... and my craft space just got cut in half! Hello, ebay! Must list more stuff tomorrow, I think! If only I had the self-control to NOT buy more stuff! Then I could use up what I have and make room to breathe.

Wish me luck in my sorting/cleaning endeavors. It's not pleasant!

Military ATC Swap

These are the result of a Military-Themed ATC swap at PCMB! Aren't they fabulous??? The only one I made was the bottom left. It says "United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD" I'm telling you... if you haven't gotten into these, you're missing out on some fun. There are lots of places on-line to trade them. Look into it!

HEY YOU!

Yes... You! The one sitting there at your computer reading my blog... I'm talking to YOU! How about leaving some feedback? I have almost 250 hits and only 4 different people have ever left comments. So, how about it? Tell me what you'd like to see. What would help you to be a better stamper? What would you like to learn? What kinds of card samples would you like to see? What can I do to make this blog more helpful to you?

Let me hear it...

It followed me home... Can I keep it???

This is what I brought back home with me today (see previous post about needing to clear out!!!!!)

My name is Lanette and I cannot refuse a bargain... one booth had 'fill a gallon ziploc' for $10! I got a PearlEx Interference Pad and I don't even know what to do with it!!!!!

Wahoo!

I am happy to announce that I've had another card chosen for the TAC website. Faithful readers of the blog will recognize the pinetree I made using the fern from the "Pressed Flowers" set. I was hoping it would win the "Monochromatic Madness" contest that I had entered it in, but alas... it wasn't meant to be! Nevertheless, it's always exciting to see my creations on the web! Here's the link if you're interested http://www.theangelcompany.net/artgallery.html

A shameless post!

So, today was the Scrappin/Stampin Flea Market. I got rid of some stuff, but not enough! AND, I came home with new stuff (I got lots of bargains, but it DID defeat the purpose!!!) I did come home with more cash than I left with, but I need to clear out. So, I've listed some TAC sets on ebay because they need to go. I have more, but I got tired of listing, so I decided to call it a night. Anyway, here's the link if you want to take a look:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZprvrbs31galQQhtZ-1

Christmas in April

I made these for a swap on PCMB. It's one of my last out-standing swaps, and I think I'm going to be taking a break. I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO straighten out my craft room. It's a horrible sty right now and I can't find anything. So, I'm getting ready for the Stamp/Scrap flea market this weekend and a lot of stuff is going!!!!! (I'll probably end up spending as much as I make, but at least I'll have NEW stuff to clutter up the room!)

Anyway, back to the card... simple. I stickled the tree and stampled the sentiment and those are the only embellishments. The patterned paper is from The Christmas Stack by DCWV.

And, before I forget, TAC has given us a sneak peak of the new catalogue! Go to www.theangelcompany.net and click on the Fruitti GWP link in the left-hand column! I can't wait to place an order to get mine free!!!!!!!! I love the bright and sassy look of this paper and think it will make some GREAT looking cards with the Michael's cow :-)

I got Wendy's swap back today!!!

It's hard to believe that it was almost TWO months ago that I posted about my adventure trying to get into Wendy Johnson's swap on the Papercrafts board. Well, it was worth the hassle! Aren't these the most gorgeous cards? I made NONE of them... they were all made by the talented ladies who were lucky enough to get into the swap. (Wendy's is the top left one). I had to share! I think if you click on the picture, it'll open a larger version.

Udderly Adorable

So, I decided to use some of my on-sale paper from Michael's, along with the dollar-stamp cow, to see what I could come up with. These are 2 of the 8 that I did, using the 3 sheets of patterned paper. The inside says "Sorry it's pasture birthday!" How cute is that??????

My taxes are done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That means I no longer have to feel guilty about stamping instead of doing them. We're getting almost $5,000 back (won't happen again next year, since we're upping our exemptions... no more free loans for Uncle Sam from us!) and Stephen has already announced he's buying the boxed set of Monty Python and several other equally as wonderful (yeah right!) items. Unfortunately, I think I've already spent my allotment, so I'm not even going to try to spend more!

I made these maternity cards for a boutique in NJ who needed more. I used only paper from my scrap bin, so I was pretty pleased that I was able to make over a dozen of them! They ARE plain, but I was in a simple mood, so what can I say?

Heads up!!!!

Michael's has their awesome 12x12 paper on sale this week for 4/$1.00. Considering it's normally 59 cents, that's a great deal. I made sure I was there when they opened the doors on Sunday morning, and I got ONE HUNDRED SHEETS OF PAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I figured I'd better hurry up and use it. I made these using a stamp for the dollar bin. I used to be a stamp snob and not look at them, thinking they were cheezy images and poorly mounted. But now, I go rummaging and usually find a new one to use every time I go!

Anyway, it's hard to tell in the picture, but I paper-pieced the roof and door of the house to match the patterned paper, so they look really cute.

I like this one best...

May be it's because it's so simple and rustic, but this is my favorite card from those I've made using this set. The hardest part was trying to set the eyelets without waking up the girls. Ironically, I just told Shanie last night (as she was singing the praises of her Silent Setter) that I didn't use eyelets enough to justify buying one. So, I took my tools into the empty apartment next door and pounded away. Let's just say that the echo was unbelievable!!!

I've been busy!

Thank goodness American Idol isn't on more than twice a week or I'd never get any cards made. It's bad enough that my house is so messy!!! But I HAD to play with my new stamps tonight. If ever you want to challenge yourself, try to make a card using just black and white. They are tricky to come up with but always turn out great.

One more before bed...

Another card I did tonight from the Fanciful Flowers set. I can't decide if I like it, or not. What I DO like is these stamps with the watercolor crayons... beeeeutiful!

My new favorite set

Played around tonight with the Fanciful Flowers set I got... I was supposed to be doing my taxes, but who wants to do that???? (In fairness, they are all done. I did them by hand, I just need to input everything into the computer and e-file).

I am loving this set. So you're going to be seeing a lot of it for the next few days... I'm doing another TAC Spring Supplement Swap, so I've got to make cards for it and have them mailed by the 9th. Wish me luck!

I've been using purple a lot lately. I HATE PURPLE. Or, I used to, anyway. This card needs something, but I'm not sure what. I tried a ribbon but it didn't do the trick. I have to sleep on it.

You made me love you... I didn't wanna do it...

No, I didn't want to do it...

But I got hooked on ATCs anyway. For those of you who may not know what they are... they are Artistic Trading Cards... 2.5 x 3.5" pieces of paper decorated anywhich way you please. Those from my generation will remember Garbage Pail Kids... these are the same, only for adults to trade. So, last week I joined my first ATC swap and gave it a go (we had to use the new papers from Basic Grey.) This is what I came up with, and now I am hooked.

What do you do with them besides trade them, you ask? Add them to a card front, use them on scrapbook pages, or put your favorites in a baseball card binder (they are the same size) and hoard them!

Mother of the Year Award

So, the very nice UPS man brought me a box today from TAC. Of course I was anxious to open it and mount my stamps so I could use them tonight. Joanna was sleeping and Abby was playing, so I sat down at the table and started cutting. Abby decided it looked interesting, so she pulled up the chair next to me and started playing with my rubber scraps. I wasn't really paying THAT much attention, since she was right next to me and I didn't want to make a wrong cut! So, once the first set was cut, I looked up... and this is why she was being so quiet! She also had a piece on her nose, too... but took it off while I ran for the camera.

Her stamping is coming along quite nicely... the other day I was inking up a sponge and 'antiquing' the edge of a card (those of you who know me know that I use this technique on everything!!!). She whined until I gave her her own sponge, at which point she started sponging her scrap paper. It was too cute. Thank goodness for washable ink because she had it all over herself... "Black ink mommy wash all clean!"

And I think she knows what Michael's is now. The other day while my folks were here visiting I stopped to make a quick trip in. Joanna was sleeping, so I was going to leave everyone in the car. Before I could shut my door Abby was saying "Abby come too please!" So of course I had to take her with me. She managed to wrangle 2 more stamps from the dollar bin. I'm such a sucker!

The Same, but Different

I have had a blast making these cards. I ran out of the pink and beige patterned papers, so I decided to try a different combination. Neccessity is the mother of invention, right? These are also Wild Asparagus papers. LOVE THEM! The next batch I make, I think I will print the Monogram in Bold and also make it a little bigger. What do you think?

Another PC Pro Swap

So it was announced a few weeks ago that another one of the PC Pro's would be hosting a swap (see previous drama about getting into Wendy Johnson's Swap). Today was the day it was going to be posted. So, after getting back from lunch out with my parents, I hopped on to see if I'd missed it. Nope! As a matter of fact, she had just listed it. So I joined. Yay!

Problem is... the theme of the swap is die-cuts and stamps. Now, the stamps I have no problem with, as you well know. However, I do not own a die-cut machine and have no desire to own one. Solution... I hopped on e-bay and found some die-cut file folders under the Buy It Now option. So, they are on their way and I already have something in mind for them. Can't wait to start playing.

On another note, I am going crazy with the card I posted yesterday. I have B (for both baby and birthday) and H (for home... several friends are moving) and am out of paper or I'd do more. May be just may be Michael's will have their patterned paper on sale soon and I can really stock up. 59 cents a sheet is much cheaper than at the LSS, but not real cheap when you need dozens of sheets!!!

Shamefully copied...

In the newest issue of Papercrafts, I fell in love with a card and have been wanting to make my own ever since I saw it. Tonight at Michael's, I realized they sold the very same paper that the card was made with (Wild Asparagus, of course). So, I bought a few sheets and after everyone went to bed, I played. And this is what I came up with. The original had 'L' and 'love' but since Mother's Day is coming up, I figured I'd give it my own twist. I love the way it came out, even though I left out the stitching that the original one had. It's late... I'm not about to lug out my sewing machine!!! It did take much longer to make than I thought it would... pain in the neck trying to find just the right font and then print it out and position to patterned paper just right. But I think it was worth it.

Surprised by the UPS Man!!!

So this afternoon the doorbell rings and it's the UPS man. I immediately am stumped, because I knew it was too early for my TAC order to be arriving, and besides, it was a patterned envelope, not a box. Expressing my surprise, he says "It's from Papercrafts Magazine."

Now I'm really confused, so as soon as I sign for it and shut the door, I tear into the envelope.

I find 6 beautiful cards for one of the swaps I'm hosting.

Made by Stacy Croninger, THE EDITOR OF PAPERCRAFTS!!!

That's right! She joined my swap. And she's been on my list all along, except I never realized that "Stacy Croninger" was THE "Stacy C" who writes the Letter from the Editor every month!

Needless to say, I was shocked. And very excited. My parents, who are visiting, couldn't understand. Stephen feigned interest when I told him about it. So I'm sharing my excitement with you, reader of my blog, because I know you'll understand!!!

THE Cow!!!!

So I finally got my hands on the dollar-cow stamp from Michael's. It's so ugly that it's cute, and I've seen some amazing cards with her (check out http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=807482 and also http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=811911). These are some cards I threw together tonight... I used up some of my scraps... they aren't the most beautiful I've ever made, but I think they are cute. Sentiment reads "Wishing you a Moo-y Christmas" and the inside says "... and an 'udder'-ly fantastic New Year!" Don't worry, they are for a swap, so you won't be getting them from the Lepper Colony next Christmas!!!

On another note, I got some absolutely GORGEOUS paper today at Michael's. I had no idea they were carrying Wild Asparagus! If you don't know what it is, google it. They are gorgeous patterned papers. But best of all, they are 2-sided, so you ALWAYS have the perfect solid shade to match. Stay tuned, because I am itching to 'play' with them!!!