Just A Note . . . Mama Elephant

Welcome back to my blog!  I've been MIA for awhile due to some unforeseen life circumstances. I'm glad to be back though to share my ideas, thoughts, and creations with you.

Just A Note . . . stamp set by Mama Elephant . . . love this set!  I like to keep blank note cards on hand for no special occasion at all. In a pinch, I could put a sentiment inside for any occasion. I often though just like to send a note to someone who may need encouragement or just to let them know I'm thinking about them.

I had my husband in mind for this card which is why you see so many hearts. I punched out different sized hearts out of cardstock and then applied Glossy Accents to make them raised and shiny.

Just a simple, elegant, lovey dovey style note card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamp Set - Just A Note Mama Elephant
Patterned Paper - Retired Stampin Up
Cardstock - Whisper White, Pool Party Stampin Up
Die: Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames My Favorite Things
Punches: Hearts Martha Stewart
Other: Glossy Accents

Copic Jumpstart Class

This is my first attempt at coloring with Copic markers.  Yikes! I am taking an online class, Copic Jumpstart,  that starts later this week. The teacher, Sandy Allnock, gave us a little pre-class assignment. She may tell me to quit after looking at this! LOL! I'm excited though to try something new. I've always wanted to learn how to color with Copics, so fingers crossed I learn a lot and get better. I'll keep you posted.

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

Sponging On Embossed Images

 

There is an easy way to add color to an embossed image . . . sponging!  I dabbed a sponge on a Tim Holtz Distress ink pad and lightly stroked it over the embossed image. The sponge deposits the color in various intensities which  I think make it look more natural.

 

You're In My Prayers Card Supplies:

Darcie Leafy Tree Trunk Embossing Folder

Simon Says Stamp Prayers Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn

Stampin Up Ink - Basic Gray

Stampin Up Card Stock - Basic Gray, Whisper White

 

Like sponging? Have a better idea to add color to an embossed image? Leave me a comment below with your suggestions.

 

Happy stamping!

Paper Smooches April Challenge

I love Paper Smooches!  Their April Challenge is black & white with a pop of color!  Love it!

This simple Miss You card was created using the following products:

Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler Stamp Set 

Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes Die Set

Paper Smooches Hearts Die set

Stampin Up White Ink and embossing powder

Stampin Up Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock

My son went on a class trip to Philadelphia a couple weeks ago. He was gone 3 days, 2 nights. Now you understand how I got inspired to make this card. He is only 10 years old. It was torture for me . . . exciting and fun for him! LOL! He did tell me he missed me when he got home and that brought a tear to my eye. He is a sweetie!

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

 

Mini Misti Product Review

I was skeptical, let me tell you . . . very skeptical about buying the Mini Misti. When it arrived, it sat on my craft table for a few days. I was hesitant, and hoping I didn't waste my money. You'll be glad to know it was worth every penny!

Here is the write-up about the product:

The Mini MISTI stamping tool is named the Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented and it lives up to its name. MISTI's simple hinge design provides consistent stamping for beginner, novice or experienced cardmaker and it makes stamping easier than ever before. The MINI MISTI, like it's larger counterpart, can be used with clear stamps and red rubber cling mount stamps and the included foam pad raises your cardstock/paper to facilitate stamping with clear stamps.

You can use the MISTI for repeated stamp positioning, lining up die cuts and stamps, registration, etc. The two included magnets help to quickly and easily position your cardstock or paper and hold it in place. The included positioning grid paper helps you find just the right positioning for your stamp before you put ink to paper.
The Mini MISTI is a tool you will treasure and enjoy for years to come. Use it for your personal scrapbook pages, cards and other paper crafting projects or use it for assembly-line stamping on cards or invitations. The MISTI is laser etched, saw cut, and hand assembled to stand the test of time. 

How does it work? Let me break it down for you step by step.

Below is a piece of white cardstock I embossed ahead of time. It is secured in place on the foam pad with two round silver magnets provided with the Misti. I place my un-inked stamp right where I wanted it on the card.

I closed the door and pressed down a little to adhere the stamp to the door.

I lifted the door back open and inked up the stamp. I closed the door to stamp my image on the cardstock pressing down a little on the stamp.

So easy! 

I didn't ink up my stamp enough. Ever get a partial impression? All I had to do was open the door again and add some more ink and press down again. Perfection! No stressing out over matching up the stamped image exactly because it's still in the same place. 

I just love how you can get accurate placement results of your stamps with this tool. I'm going to enjoy this even more when I'm mass producing Christmas cards. It will make it so much easier. It's great for layering on colors too or having to line up multiple images. You can even put multiple stamps all on at once on the Mini Misti to save time as well.

Card Supplies: Papertrey Ink Friendly Flowers, Darice Daisy Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Glitter Markers, Stampin Up! Whisper White & Daffodil Delight Card Stock.

I give the Mini Misti 5 stars!  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about it by leaving a comment at the end of this post. I'd love to hear what YOU think.

Happy stamping!

hello

Hello everyone! I’m back from a little blogging break. I hope you enjoyed your Easter holiday and Spring Break!

Although it doesn’t feel like Spring here, it feels like it in my craft room. I am enjoying some new papers and tools that I’ve recently purchased. My favorite new item is Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid paper pack. It is so colorful for your spring cards. I used it in the background of the card pictured above. My other favorite new product is My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Frames. I also used this in the card pictured above. These dies are so stinking cute and come in rectangles, circles, ovals, and squares. Do you need them all? YES! Well, I’m not a fan of ovals . . . so maybe not that one.

hello Card Supplies:

Stampin Up

Card Stock: Whisper White and Pool Party

Die: Hello You

Embossing Folder: Spring Flowers

Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper: Perfectly Plaid

MFT Die: Stitched Rectangles Scallop Frames

My birthday was last month so I bought myself a birthday present I wasn’t sure I’d like  . . . the Mini Misti. I’ll share my thoughts on that in the next post. Stay tuned!!!! If you have one already, I’d love to hear what you think about it. Leave me a comment at the end of this post.

Happy stamping!

Love You

 

I am obsessed with Mason Jars. I don't know what it is, but I just love them! I love the old kind, with rusty tops. I have a collection of them I keep in my kitchen on top the cupboards.

My obsession carries over into stamps with jars. Oh yes! I probably have every stamp and punch that that resembles a Mason Jar. Is there a Mason Jars Anonymous? Lol.

The cute little jar in my Valentine today is Best Buds from Paper Smooches. I was so mad at myself for not buying the coordinating dies. I made a bunch of these and was sitting on the couch cutting it out carefully. It took so long that my husband even questioned me as to what I was doing! I CASED this card from the Paper Smooches blog post here. Mines a little different, but wanted to give credit where it's due for the design of it.

I really like how the water in the jar turned out. I debated using a colored pencil or marker. I went for the marker. If I would have stamped it on watercolor paper, I could have tried watercolors. Now that might have turned out even better! Maybe next time. Do you have any ideas for coloring in water? I'd love to hear them. Just e-mail me HERE or leave me a comment at the end of this post.

Happy stamping!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com
Not Pictured: Stampin Up Real Red card stock, Stampin Up Markers - Real Red, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Stampin Up Crazy about You stamp set, Pebbles Inc Patterned Paper, Recollections Heart Tags.