A Stamper's Confession

So, how many of you purchase stamps/stamp sets and let them set for, oh, say a year, then pull them out for the first time? I, shamefully, have with this stamp set. I was intrigued by the samples posted on SCS last fall and "had" to have the set. After one long year and a color challenge I am posting my first sample of this retired set!

One thing I was happy to conquer in the card was doing a 5X5 card and using a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the majority of the background. I wish they came in squares!

Supplies:

Stamps: Gives Thanks (SU)
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Going Grey, Charcoal Palette, Green Galore
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Going Grey, White, Sweetie Pie DP (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories: White Gel Pen, Sakura Stardust Gel Pen, Aquapainter, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Leaves, Filigree Brads, Nestabilities

Adventures in Scrapbooking...

If you're a cardmaker do you ever have people referring to you as a "scrapbooker"? What is that all about? Do they automatically assume since you work with stamps and paper that you are a scrapbooker? When people try to make conversation about my hobby, they shoot right to the first person who they know who scrapbooks. Right...like I had a single page done anywhere in my house. I know it is simply their way of making a relationship to what I do but I get it ALL the time. For the past four years I have been trying to force myself to scrapbook. What was it that I disliked so much? The format, the idea of organizing it all...a little of both I suppose.

For the sake of preserving our family memories, I decided to take the bull by the horns and just do it. To be honest, I have been noodling around with scrapbooking for a couple of years with no results that I was proud enough to post . I joined a scrapbook goal challenge at SCS with a goal of finishing 10 scrapbook pages in the month of September in order to spend $3o in fun papercrafting supplies. Fortunately, I have already met my goal for the month, but unfortunately I spent $14 on supplies before I was done and am back at zero. I suppose that could be a positive motivator to really dive into those photos for another 10 pages.

My scrapbook pages are very basic. Almost utilitarian. I am sure with time I will implement more intricate designs and use better sketches. Right now I am simply giving it a go. I can't say that I dislike but I don't know if I love it. The verdict is out.

This simple page is an 8X8 of my son's cousins, which was taken this summer while I was in grad school. Additional pages can be found in scrapbook album at SCS.

With Enough Caffeine...

...anything is possible!! As many of you know I do love my cup o'joe whenever I can get one. My mom got me this great one cup coffeemaker from Melitta and it is awesome! (Mitch is not a coffee drinker.) Grid 2 TBSP of my bean of choice, heat up water in my electric kettle and pour the water over the grounds in the groovy filter that fits over a coffee cup or travel mug. I'm spoiled!

Speaking of my mom, if you check a few posts back I mentioned swiping mom's Bella stamps...well, I did! Here is Javabellas in SCS Sketch Challenge 192. The only thing I don't like about this stamp are the shoes on the bella on the left. Seriously, who wears shoes like that? Guess I'm not that cool!

This is one of my first cards using a sewing machine. I enjoyed the experience and outcome and plan on using it much more frequently. The zigzag stitch is not very apparent in this photo but it is there. I also went a little nuts with the white gel pen and dots. :)

Supplies
Stamps: JavaBella; Sentiment (Amuse)
Ink:Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Creamy Caramel; Close to Cocoa; Blush Blossom; Certainly Celery; Burnt Umber (Palette); Noir (Palette)
Paper: Sultry DP (Basic Grey); White (PTI); Chocolate Chip
Accessories: White Gel Pen; Chocolate RIbbon, Sakura Stardust Gel Pen; Slot Punch; Corner Rounder Punch; Nestabilities; Sewing Machine