Mojo Monday Week 99 - Almost a week late

I guess that's what happens with kids :p You get to be late late late on some things. I was super busy this week but I also had trouble coming up with an idea for this week's sketch. It was just really an odd sketch for me, I couldn't figure out a way to make it work:

Then, on Thursday I got my preorder goodies from the Holiday Mini! As well many many other things that I ordered :p I couldn't wait to get into the Cold and Cuddly stamp set and realized that it was PERFECT for this sketch. Well, that and I changed the sketch up every so slightly to suit me better. I used a BUNCH of preorder items, the yummy shimmery as well as flocked Christmas Cocoa DSP, the Cold and Cuddly stamp set AND the wonderful and inexpensive Shimmer Paint!


My card recipe for this card includes:
Stamp Set: Cold and Cuddly
Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Ink: Basic Grey, Real Red, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Frost White Shimmer Paint (used on the iceberg), Soft Suede Polka Dot Gros Grain Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Vintage Brads

So many gorgeous things in that Mini - order from it beginning September 1st. Or sign up for one of my Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks to make some Christmas cards using all the Mini items used in this card (and more!).

Enjoy and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

In Color Ribbon - Get YOUR Sampler!

The Polka Dot In Color Ribbon is so yummy! Not only do the new In Colors remind me of Tropical Skittles, but the ribbon is gorgeous! It's a little shiny with super cute polka dots. I wanted all 6 colors - as I know a lot of people do. Take a look - isn't it gorgeous?

But I didn't want 15 yards of each color (well, except the Rich Razzleberry - my favorite SU! color evah!). So I'm offering the 09-10 In Color Ribbon Sampler - 2 yards of each In Color ribbon for only $15!

Want to get your sampler for FREE? Book a workshop with me between now and December and get a Ribbon Sampler from me as a thank you gift! It can be a regular workshop or a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack, whatever you prefer! Contact me today to book your workshop or to purchase your Ribbon Sampler.

Dasher - Christmas in August!

I just love Dasher - the new single stamp for only $10.95. So I've bought that stamp - can't beat the price! - and plan on making some lovely Christmas cards using this stamp. We'll also be using this stamp for one of the cards at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks. Well, actually, I've already made a cute card with this stamp for a demo swap I joined. I thought Dasher had beautiful lines that would look great embossed in white on a darker cardstock. So of course I chose my new favorite color, Rich Razzleberry and paired it with Old Olive. Who says none of the new In Colors can be used for Christmas cards!?!?! And what goes great with Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry? Chocolate Chip of course :) So without further ado - Dasher...


I got the layout from an old Mojo Monday Challenge and I love the way the ribbon comes under and through the top image. The recipe for Dasher is:

Stamp Sets: Dasher, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card stock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Cast-a-Spell DSP
Ink: Craft White, VersaMark
Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Ticket Punch, Slit Punch, Paper Piercer, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads, Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Texture Plates, Heat Tool, White Stampin' Emboss Powder

But, if you love Dasher as much as me, you'll be even more excited to see the Dasher Decor Element - only available as a Hostess Benefit with a qualifying workshop of minimum $395 in sales. So be sure to book your Christmas workshop soon! Maybe make it a Stamp-a-Stack!

One thing that did make me a bit sad about the Dasher Decor Element though is that after Christmas I'd have to take it down. And then it would be gone. So, I bought some sturdy 3/16" foam board and a frame (without glass mat, just the wood frame) at the local craft store. Then I put Dasher on the foam board (I have the Chocolate Chip Dasher, but he's also available in Basic Black, Real Red, and Whisper White), mounted him in the frame and voila! A Dasher I can bring out Christmas after Christmas after Christmas! So there is a way to make your Decor Elements more permanent (or less permanent since they're not actually on your wall) than you probably thought! And once again, without further ado... Dasher #2 (though this guy is 17-5/8" x 13").


That's it for tonight and keep letting stamps (and Decor Elements) bring out your creativity!

Mojo Monday Week 98 - On a Monday!

Yes, I've managed to get this up on a Monday this week. But only because we have a holiday here today, hubby is home to deal with kiddo #1 and kiddo #2 took a good 3.5 hour nap! I really liked this week's sketch and will likely use it again. Though I did tweak it a bit, rotating the square mat diagonally and adding a sentiment. I need sentiments on my cards, lol! But I think it finishes off the empty space at the top of the card nicely.

For this week's card I also wanted to practice my watercoloring and blending a bit more. I finally broke out the Stazon as well - much much better for watercoloring than Basic Black ink. Doesn't run - at all! For the turtle's shell I started with Creamy Caramel and then blended in Chocolate Chip. I did two layers of Old Olive in the turtle's spots. I used watercolor paper and Watercolor Wonder Crayons and really like the way my turtle turned out. The scalloped circle looked a wee bit bland so I practiced some sponging around its edges. I haven't done this much, but really like the effect so will practice this technique more in the future. I used just plain ol' paint sponges for my sponging, though I do plan on investing in some 'real' Stampin' Sponges in the near future!


The card recipe for my Mojo Monday card this week is
Stamps: Older and Wiser (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card stock: Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper, Walk in the Park DSP (retired)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Close to Cocoa, VersaMark
Accessories: Heat Tool, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2, Sponges

If you need to get your creative juices going... try out a sketch challenge! And keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!