Two Card Tuesday

Hi stampers! This morning I looked at the color challenge over on scs and was disappointed that I didn't find anything. BUT, later there were two for today! The first was to use the colors tempting turquoise, pink passion, gable green, and lovely lilac. I really like all these colors but not necessarily together!! Here is what I came up with:

stamps: SU! all holidays, SU! sketch an event (retired)
paper: all SU! whisper white and challenge colors
ink: all SU! pink passion, lovely lilac, tempting turquoise
accessories/tools: SU! heart to heart punch



For the second challenge I needed to use creamy caramel, cameo coral, and old olive. I had an easier time with this combo.

Stamps: SU! fun and fast notes, bunch o' bugs (retired)

paper: SU! cameo coral, whisper white, old olive dsp

ink: creamy caramel, cameo coral, old olive

accessories/tools: dazzling diamonds glitter applied with glue pen, Big Shot with top note die, gold brads

I just used the colored markers to ink the stamps. Also, the sentiment has a picture with it that I just omitted coloring. This card will be going out tomorrow for our pastor who is having surgery later this week.

Thanks for stopping in today! I hope you picked up a little inspiration.

Till next time, Tasha

Limited Supplies Challenge

Happy Friday to you! Well only 1 kid home sick today--I was afraid it might be 2! I did manage to get my part of the teacher's lunch to school on time this morning. And still had time to play at scs. That makes for a good day. :)

This is the card I made. Maybe I am in a good mood because I can give this to my dh and so I will not be making his card in the wee hours of Valentine Eve! Since I typically work the 2 weeks before the holiday arranging flowers it is a rush time for me.

About the card: The challenge limited accessories and dsp to hearts or red. Eek! Plus red needed to be used along with other colors.
stamps: Love You Much, Best Wishes and More, Best Yet (hostess) all SU!
ink: real red, always artichoke, staz-on black
cs: real red, always artichoke, and whisper white
accessories: red square brads from the SU! fire collection, red organza ribbon (retired SU!),

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by. And don't forgot the sneak peek tonight!

Till next time, Tasha

A Saturday Sketch on Wednesday

Hi and welcome. I actually did the sketch on Saturday, but since I didn't have my camera back yet, I wasn't able to take a picture. This card is uses Lauren Meader's mytimess18 and is also a card I did for the inspiration challenge at scs this week. Even if you don't want to do the challenge, you ought to check it out because the inspiration link is to an unbelievable cake site.

I was inspired by the cake called For the Record which is on page one at Cake Nouveau. Colors are tempting turquoise, black and whisper white. Hats are from SU! Party Hearty and diamonds are from SU! Classis Backgrounds.

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Today we spent 2 hours in the dr. office (mostly waiting of course). It seemed much longer since we were the last appt. and the place was pretty much closed down and it was dark out by the time we left. And I am exhausted due to stress because we had to make the decision to send our 12-yr.-old for surgery. For those who know me very well I tend to be very cautious and skeptical of the medical profession so this was not an easy choice. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know that he tore his labrum in football. He has been through 2 rounds of physical therapy (about 10 weeks of going 2/wk.) and most of his strength/motion has improved immensely; however, he cannot throw. That motion just can't be done without a lot of pain that lasts a few days. If we don't get it fixed that means no baseball (he's a pitcher), no swimming except for dogpaddle, no wrestling, no handstands or general fooling around, and a potential for serious injury in football. So it isn't exactly a decision, just tough to face it. On the upside, my dad and FIL both had this surgery done 2 years ago so we are fairly familiar with the process and recovery. :)

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And then on my selfish side I am thinking about how I am going to work this all in with workshops coming up, Sale-a-Bration, a women's retreat at church that I am partially in charge of, the Pinewood Derby, and the other two kids' birthdays. Maybe it is bumming me out because I do have so much going on and usually I hibernate in January. That is my time to recuperate after working and running so much during the growing season--March-November.

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If you're still reading, I hope I didn't bum you out too much. I promise that's it for complaining and I will be back to my cheerful and synical self tomorrow. ;)

Till next time, Tasha

Glitter challenge and Love You Much (Again)

I am so excited I got to make a card first thing this morning! This is my card for the technique challenge tlc202. The challenge was to use sticky strip and glitter to make background paper. Click here to play along!

The colors are certainly celery, bashful blue, and cosmo glitters blue, green and turquoise. The set is Big Bold Birthday.

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This weekend I also made a color challenge card cc199
The colors are handsome hunter, so saffron, and bravo burgundy. I used the Love You Much large heart, verse from Friend to Friend and the Big Shot with an embossing folder. My personal challenge is to find ways to use the Love You Much set beyond valentines and love because how many of those can a person use? ;)

I really feel like making a Party Hearty or Celebrate card because school started back today. I truly love my children but I need some "me time". I think the average was 15 seconds during break. 15 seconds of what? you may be wondering. That was the amount of time I had when I walked into my stamping area until someone needed me or the phone rang. Ugh!

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Hope you are having a great day, too. Thanks for stopping by!

Till next time, Tasha

Love You Much Card

I got my camera back this morning--woohoo! Unfortunately I am battling a cold and it is winning so I will only share one card today. This card is a CASE from hirobinson on scs . But I just love how the hearts come out of the envelope and had to try it.



I used the Big Shot and scalloped envelope die in pirouette pink. Other colors are close to cocoa and riding hood red. The hearts are punched with the new SU! punch and dsp is candy lane. The Love You Much Bundle is still 20% off through January 19 and can be purchased through my business website.
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I hope you had a good weekend with at least a few hours to stamp. :)
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Good Time To Become a Demo.

Good morning! Thought I would let you know that if you have toyed with the idea of joining SU! and becoming an official Independent Demonstrator (ie get paid to play) now is a good time. You will get a box of the current catalogs + a box of the new catalogs. And you can still pre-order 2 hostess sets up till Jan.18.
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To learn more or to sign up, you can visit my business website then email me for the password.
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I will get my camera back tomorrow so will have more cards to show then.
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Till next time, Tasha

The Surprise is On Me!

Well, my first surprise of the year is that I left my camera at the New Year's Eve party we were at last night! So no bright and early photo today. :( But, hopefully, I can get out there and get it or maybe have my friend/neighbor/upline shoot today's card for me. In the meantime, you can check out what she's been doing...some beautifully colored cards!
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Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!!!
Till next time, Tasha

Moving On To Valentines' Day

Here is the promotion for Valentines' Day and it's on sale! Not only do you get a whole coordinating set, but you get 20% off the bundle--what a sweet deal! I will be posting projects the next few days using these items.









(To view the flyer click on it and then click on Shop Now in the upper right corner and choose "specials")

So I hope that you are getting all your Christmas decorations put away and are ready to start thinking about upcoming events. I do have a couple surprises that I will be posting in the next few weeks, as I look forward to a stampalicious 2009.

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Thanks for stopping by today! Till next time, Tasha

48-Hours of Insanity and Tip of the Day

On Wed. afternoon about 4:30 I read in the paper that our local hospital was having it's annual employee craft fair/bake sale on Friday and any employee/family could call to reserve a table. Well it just so happens that my neighbor/friend/upline (Heather) is also a call-in RN for labor and delivery at that same hospital. So I called her and within 5 minutes we were full-fledged craft fair participants. I do have to mention that it was listed as 8am-4pm which didn't sound too bad but after registering us the lady said "set up starts at 6:30". Eek, that's early! Keep in mind neither of us has done this before and not having planned on it, we had nothing ready! So I headed off to church with the kids for 2-1/2 hours for their Wed. programs and at 9pm we had our kids to bed, Heather came over, and we started planning for our Friday event.

Long story short, we had lots of nice cards, ornaments, and sample cards they could order. We made quite a few contacts that are interested in classes, sold some things, took some orders, and all in all had a good day though we were fairly delirious from lack of sleep. Which leads me to my:

Tip of the Day: Always allow at least 4 days to prepare for a craft show! lol :)

I'll be back tomorrow with new pics. and more ideas. I am heading up Heather's club tomorrow since she is out of town. That should be fun.

Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

The Christmas Card Workshop is All Set

Just a quick post to let you know I finally spent time getting the website set up for our public holiday card workshop. So if you are within driving distance of Hutchinson, you are cordially invited to join us. You can view the workshop details at www. make-holiday-cards.com . I am doing this workshop with my upline/neighbor/friend so it should be fun. Some of the cards were shown in previous posts.

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Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Like Winning The Lottery!

I got my demo. starter kit yesterday. Wowee...that's a lot of stuff! Yes, I do realize I paid for it but it's still a lot of stuff and just seems like Christmas or the lottery or something. In fact, I took a picture to show--too bad I can't capture the feeling that all this elicits. Now I just have to find a little time to use it.

In case you were wondering we won the football game yesterday 14-8. It was a nail-biter clear down to the last 11 seconds! We played our biggest rival and they are a lot larger school system so it was fun to win. I also got to go to my first middle school PTO meeting yesterday. They don't have any fundraisers except concessions--hooray! It is much less involved than at the grade school level.

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This morning has been crazy already. I had to start a roaster full of ham and beans for my DH to take to work tonight and bake a cake first thing. Today is a special breakfast at the grade school where some of the high school football players come and eat with the little kids. They sign autographs, etc.--really a neat idea. Except our bus gets there too late so I have to actually take the kids on the days this happens. That was fine because I had to drop off some things at the school early anyway. But as I'm leaving my oldest DS asks if he me for a bag of chips or some kind of junk food. We don't have ANYTHING and they are supposed to bring it for a class party. So after dropping the other 2 I have to run to Kwik Shop. Do you have any idea how much chips cost at a convenience store?! Anyway I race back and made it before his bus came.

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That's all I have time for today, I am off to said grade school to help with Discovery Day.

Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Happy Football Day!

Thursdays are football day at our house. We used to prepare the night before, but now that Wednesday activities have resumed at church, Thursday mornings can be quite a rush. This morning we couldn't find the white jersey--thank goodness my DS is old enough to remember what color to wear since I can't! For those not in sports they wear white when they are away and team color when they are at home except today they are playing in town but at a different school so it still counts as away.

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I fielded the first call yesterday about my school fundraiser workshop. Yea! At least I know someone read the flyer! And now that those are out, I have a little more time to focus on other things so I made a card for last Saturday's sketch from Lauren M. If you want to play along the keyword is mytimess08 if you post it anywhere.

Colors for this card are certainly celery, tempting turqoise, blush blossom, and cameo coral. I used the stamp set Live Like You Mean It (borrowed from the neighbor) because I thought it was perfect for this challenge.

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Oh, you have to check Heather's (the neighbor) blog today! She posted some cool punch projects. We just love that tab punch. Plus she has some blog candy if you're the right number.

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And I promised to show a few of the birthday cards from my Everyday Card Kit that is being offered at the Christmas card workshops. I used the rainbow sherbet dsp so the palette is tempting turquoise, green galore, apricot appeal, and certainly celery.

These first two use the Party Hearty set which I think is going to be one of my favorites!

And this last card uses Bugs and Kisses and Garden Whimsy.

All of the cards are quite simple to make since the participants will be making 20 cards total and some may have no previous experience.

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Well I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping.

Till next time, Tasha

One Last Invitation

Just a reminder if you haven't participated in Cammie's Heart To Heart Challenge yet, the cut off is tomorrow, Friday at 8 pm central. The goal is to get as many beautiful cards as possible sent out to Alzheimer's caregivers. And in return for your good deed you get a chance to win "some" blog candy. This may be the largest blog candy ever! Here's a sampling of what one lucky winner will receive:
Gina K Designs : $50 gift certificate
Stamping Bella: $50 gift certificate
SmARTworks: $25 gift certificate
High Hopes Stamps: SIX stamps (on cling) from the NEW release –Release date is September 28 so I cannot show you the images but I saw them and they are AWESOME!!!
Jacksonbelle Embellishments: Surprise package...
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And there are so many more generous companies who have donated to the pot. But not just companies, many stampers and crafters have sent cards and items to up the ante. Three of these are Cindy Motherway, Michele Boyer, and Lauren Meader--and let's not forget Cammie herself.
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Thanks for stopping by. Till next time, Tasha
PS This is my 2nd or 3rd post today so scroll down so you don't miss anything!!

It's Saturday Sketch Time!

It's so nice to be home 2 days in a row. I am getting caught up on the house and yard. It's so hard when you run run run and only have time in between to dump stuff off and grab new stuff for the next event. Now I need to work on my van this afternoon...

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But it's Saturday and I do love Lauren's sketches so I had to take a little "mytime" break. At least I remembered to do a card I can use for a thank you! If you want to play, too, just click here to see her Saturday sketch.

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Now I'll show you my sample. I used SU close to cocoa, pumpkin pie, summer sun cardstock and old olive designer series paper. I did emboss gold leaves on the cross (same stamp as on the summer sun).

And here is a crazy thing. I moved the card to the shade and the colors completely changed in the camera. I think I might like this one better!

Unfortunately that's all the time I will have today. My dad's birthday was yesterday so he will come with my brother and niece today to celebrate. I need to get started on the cake and finish up the house. Hopefully, we can get the kids to spend most of the time outside since they can make quite a mess! And I don't want to have to get ready for company all over again tomorrow.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! Till next time, Tasha

My Own ss05 Designs

Well, I outdid myself and got two cards done with this sketch. ;) You can see the sketch in the previous post. Of, course it was late so the lighting is weird but you can see enough of them.
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On this first one I used USI (unidentified sale item) print paper but the rest is Stampin' Up. Main color is summer sun with flowers from Classic Background stamped all over in versa-mark. Large saying is from All Holidays and the little tag in pocket says "a little something" from the Best Yet hostess set. The large flower is created with the scalloped circle punch in riding hood red layered with assorted SU flowers.

The football card is on bravo burgundy. All the stamping is actually done in retired cranberry crisp with the Just Football and Sporting sets. The helmet is stamped in white on burgundy. The summer sun stars and the #1 are embossed with iridescent ice so they are shimmery even though it doesn't show in the picture.

I struggled with this design, a little too many elements than I normally use, but it's nice to try new things. So let me know what you think!

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Thanks for looking! Till next time, Tasha

First Comment!

Igot my first comment!! Thanks, Julie, you made my day! I am enjoying visiting blogs that I find like Julie's (http://mutchtostamp.blogspot.com/) -- what a great way to get inspired.

I started the Saturday sketch I found but still haven't finished a card! However, the fair turned out to be a good time. I didn't place with my first 3 entries, but was a proud mom! Each of my boys (ages 8 and 12) entered one contest and won 1st place! I finally redeemed myself on Monday with a 3rd place in the Hidden Valley Ranch competition. And on Tuesday I won 1st in the King Arthur Flour. This is only my second year to enter so very exciting. Some of the ladies I competed with have been doing this for 23 years and they take it a little more seriously! I can tell you my family is tired of Spam and yeast breads right now...

One of these times I will remember to put the pictures in first so that maybe I can get things arranged better. I am learning from everyone out there with a blog so bear with me! Now that I am done with fair entries I will see if I can finish some cards before the next Saturday sketch.

I wish you a good rest of the week. Say a prayer for all those affected by the Sept. 11 bombing as we remember that awful event tomorrow.

Till next time,

Tasha

Great gift idea!

I am putting the link to a YouTube tutorial I love. Dannie Graves shows how to make a card organizer. I hope you can use this for gifts or giveaways. I am thinking about making some that will be the gift for early orders at my Christmas card workshops.

One of these days I will work on cards again, but it is State Fair time and I have some cakes and goodies to bake over the next few days. Last year I entered for the first time and did very well. This year I am trying a few more categories including the Spam cookoff! My enthusiasm rubbed off on the neighbor's husband so we have a friendly rivalry going with the Spam. The kids (ages 12, 8, 6, 6, and 4 between us) have enjoyed taste-testing and so far keep voting for my creations!!

We also start the middle school football season today--hooray! And the weather changed from 95 to 65 between Monday and Tuesday just in time to get us in the fall/football mood. I do have to say I feel bad enjoying the weather so much when I know some places are dealing with the hurricane and all the awful things that follow a disaster. I truly hope that you are somewhere you can enjoy the early autumn.

Oh--my cake is done so it's time to go, here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j61q823ghb8

Have a great day!
Till next time, Tasha

Christmas Workshop

I am working on a Christmas card workshop. I will be doing one as a fundraiser for the youth group at our church (assuming it gets approved by the council) and have offered to do one for the PTO at my kids' grade school. If the PTO chooses not to do it, I will do a workshop for the general public that is not a fundraiser.

Here are a couple of the samples I have been working on with my neighbor. The glitter and embossing do not show all that well but you get the idea.

I know that the muted colors seem to be "in" this year, but I find it hard not to have bright and cheerful at Christmas. This card is actually a mock up since I haven't received Season of Joy which the set I planned to do this card with. I will put the real deal on a later post for comparison.

Hard to believe I am thinking about the holidays already!

Till next time,

Tasha

Most Versatile Set

I sat down today with one of the few sets I have that hasn't retired and made a few simple cards. I remember now why I like Heartfelt Thanks so much--it is so versatile! When it first came out I saw it only with pale colors and wasn't impressed but I bought it anyway. And I have been glad ever since. So I hope these inspire those of you who have it to get out your set and use it again. Enjoy!










The black flower outline is part of the 2-step stampin' flower in the kit. The black background has the same flower with versa-mark (trust me--it's there).


























I created the background by using the base flower from the 2-step stampin'. I stamped it 3 times after inking to get the watercolor effect. Colors on this are cameo coral, pretty in pink, and apricot appeal.












This palette is gable green, certainly celery, bashful blue and ballet blue.















I just love the black/white gingham ribbon so I find myself using red/white/black to accomodate it! On this card I used real red. The background is done by inking in black and stamping it off on scrap paper till the stamp is nearly clean, then using versa-mark so you get a VERY light black.














This is on a Scallop Notes card so it is quite small. When I get better at taking pictures the colors will be more true, but it gets the point across.
















Okay, this is NOT HFT, but I got side-tracked when I went to get a piece of cardstock and ended up making this one too. I wouldn't post it but the set is current so what the heck. I did some gold embossing on some of the stars, and clear embossing on the MVP to give the this more dimension.










So that's it! I have learned to add photos and this only took me 8 hours!!! Well, you have to take the times I stopped to fix a bike, pick tomatoes and okra, hold a funeral for the chicken that I wrestled away from the dog, counsel my youngest 2 and 3 neighbor kids about death and heaven, cook dinner, pack the husband's dinner for work, start the laundry...you get the idea. In fact, it's amazing I finished in one day.

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend as well. School started last week so I have high hopes of making some more things this week along with visiting lots of other blogs.


Till next time, Tasha

Here I Go!

This is day one of my stamping, crafting, card-making blog! My goal is to have it functional within a month. Although designing comes naturally, technology does not so this whole experience may prove bittersweet. So hold on for the ride and we'll see what happens.