Orders to fill!

Yeah, so I need to fill several orders from the boutiques... they need baby cards (I'm getting sick of them, how about you?!?!) But I've made some using some pretty cool paper that I LOVE... it's by DCWV, so it matches all of my cardstock, and the patterns are fabulous. They have boy and girl stacks called "Nana's Nursery" and they have glitter on them and everything. Very cool. Got them on sale at Joanne.com along with some DCWV card sets that I love.

Left-overs!

So I had a table full of scraps from the cards I've been making. I put them together and VOILA! I love love love the simple way this card came out. Perfect for spring, don't you think?

The polka-dot paper is from the "Nana's Kids" Stack, flowers are from the "Wild" set.

So Sorry

This originally started out as a Sympathy Card. But I'm thinking I may have to put it aside for when Stephen and I have our first fight (yeah, that's right... 6 and a half years and still hasn't happened... helps that he's been deployed 3 times!) I love the Fanciful Slowers set because it's SO versatile. I use it for birthdays, sympathy, thinking of you... almost anything!

Anatomy of a Card

Ok, so I saw a card on Splitcoaststampers that I really liked. So I made it my own (on the bottom). But, it was lacking something. I didn't know what, but I DID know that the black ink was a little too stark. I trimmed the blue so that a small border of white would show. Then I added some pen stitching and a border around the flowers. And voila! I like the result. (What a surprise, the flowers are from the "Wild" set! I cut the flower away from the stem so that I could use different colors on them... yet another benefit of unmounted stamps!)

This could be a sympathy card, I suppose, but I made it for a friend of mine in California who's going through a rough time.

My Saturday Afternoon

So, I want to order all of the new TAC papers, but I just can't justify it when I have paper coming out the wazoo. Today I decided to use up some of it, so I found a 12x12 sheet of polka dot paper from Michael's, and then I found 3 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of matching solids. Then I grabbed the "Wild for You" set, a brown and green ink pad, and some white cardstock and went to town. I ended up with 8 different cards, and then embellished them with eyelets and Prima Flowers and ribbon. None of them are absolutely fabulous, but that's ok!

Another Valentine

This one was done for a color challenge on another board. How easy is this? Stephen's going to be rollin' in the cards this week!!!

I just use the All Occasion Uppers set, handcut the heart, and off we go. For those of you in Annapolis, this was very much inspired by the Noel Card we made. Come to think of it, I'll post that one, too so everyone can see. Once you find a card design you like, a simple change of shades and image and you've got a completely new one!

Seeing them side-by-side, I should have stamped the green background with a heart (using versamark), so may be I'll go do that and see how it looks... may add the eyelets, too. Stay tuned.

Sympathy Cards

Sue mentioned she has a hard time with Sympathy Cards. Don't I know it, sistah! I was very happy when TAC came out with a Sympathy Set... but it's still difficult.

And it was 100 times more difficult for me to come up with this one, for friends of ours in Annapolis who lost their 4 month old, Luke, one year ago today. After struggling for way too long, I finally realized that it was the thought that counts, so I put this simple card together using a prepunched tag that came with the ToodleLoo set. All of my patterned paper seemed too cheery, so I decided to just use solids.

We will remember, Baby Luke. Sleep soundly in the arms of Jesus. Your baby sister should be arriving any day now, and we pray she brings unimaginable joy to Chris, Christie, and big brother Caleb.

Happy New Year's!

So, I was invited to an Open House tonight, but I decided that I just wanted to stay home, in my pajamas, and stamp. I made several cards that I can't post because they are for the TAC Demonstrator Contest due 2/1. So, as I was getting ready for bed I saw Shanie's suggestion for a Valentine Card in pink, lavender, and yellow... and decided that I'd stay up to midnight and make one more card.

This is what I came up with. It really DOES look better in person. Patterned paper is from DCWV "Nanas Attic" Stack from Joannes. Love it... it's got glitter on it everywhere! The tiny heart is from TACs "Mini Occasions" set.

So now I guess I will send it to Stephen, since I've been neglecting him (like the shoemaker's kids who don't have shoes, he's the cardmakers husband who doesn't get cards.)

Happy New Year!

By Request

Ok, so I am sick of making baby cards. And I'd like to know who's reading this blog. So here's the deal... tell me what kind of cards you find the toughest to create and I'll try to come up with an idea to get you inspired. Or, issue me a challenge (like "make an Easter Card using purple and green") and I'll see what I can do.

And, here's the icing on the cake: First person to reply to this thread with a challenge or card suggestion will receive their copy of the new Inspiration Catalogue for FREE!

The new GWP'S!!!

I am so in love with the new selection of GWP's. For every $30 you spend, you get a free stamp (or, Gift With Purchase). I want them all!

It's here!!!

The new Inspiration Book and Catalogue has arrived. The name changed from "Idea Book" to "Inspiration Book" because that is what TAC is about. The new Signature Series stamps collections contain words and phrases that will enable you to bless and encourage the lives of others. The new sets can be seen on my website, lanette.ismyangel.net, by clicking on the 'product' tab, and then clicking on the stamp link on the left-hand side of the screen. The new papers are also incredible, and I can't wait to get my hands on them!!! They are perfect for stamping, scrapping, and papercrafting of all kinds!

Welcome, Clara!

Yup! Another baby girl. This card is for Clara Noel Kallgren. Zebra from the "Wild..." set (but of course!) I have absolutely no idea where the patterned paper came from!

More Baby Cards

As several of you know, I sell my cards at several boutiques around the country. Baby themes sell the best, so that's what I'm concentrating on now. This is another stamp from the "Wild..." set. The patterned paper is from a DCWV stack that I've had for ages. My goal is to start using up some of my paper, because as soon as I get the new TAC Catalogue I KNOW I'm going to want more. I've heard fabulous things about it... I also broke out a pair of Abby's decorative scissors for this one (remember those, folks???)

Merry Christmas!

This year I knew I needed a quick and easy design for my Christmas Cards. When this 'Joy' stamp came out in the Fall Supplement, I knew I had to have it. To make the card, I just embossed in Silver, then added green, red, and crystal Stickles. It's very easy because there are no layers... I didn't have to cut any paper or glue or anything... just had to wait for the Stickles to dry! I've gotten so many complements on it that I may never do a complicated Christmas Card again! :-)

I'm BACKK!!!!

Yeah, so it's been a crazy year. I am hoping to start posting again to this blog to give you some great cardmaking ideas. This card is in honor of Meaghan Elizabeth Crafts... welcome to the world, baby girl! Can't wait to meet you!!!

The stamp is from the "Wild for You" set and the paper is from the Lilly Anna Collection, which I adore. The blue cardstock from DCWV coordinates perfectly. (Most of the TAC paper sets match EXTREMELY well with the Stacks from DCWV. It makes cardmaking pretty brainless. I always get my stacks on sale at Joanne's. Check the Fall Christmas Stacks, as they will probably be on clearance.)

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...