It's Been Awhile!

What has been going on? Beginning of the new school year, grad school, family and all the good stuff that goes along with it! I have had very little creative time in the past couple of months. Absolute craziness. Nothing bad at all. Just crazy.

No more shopping ban. That ended after my first paycheck of the new school year. I have been trying to keep it tame. (I say this and I bought a Cricut Imagine...got a super deal though!) Honestly, it is soooo much easier for me to walk into a store and out with nothing that it ever has been. Online is pretty easy, too. I think it was a great thing for me. I'm still trying to work through the crafty stuff that I already have.

Here are a couple of things that I made recently. The first is a card that just got mailed to my sweet friend Patty. Miss her! I need to mail out more cards to friends and family. No reason not to. The second is a baby shower invitation for my friend Kerry. We're all so happy for her! I used my Imagine to create the patterned paper and giraffe. Love it!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity KOM (March 2011)
Paper: Confetti Cream, My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found
Ink: Haystack, Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Butterfly (Recollections), Pearls and Lace (REcollections), Tag (Tim Holtz), Washi Tape ( K & Co.)

Inside
I like the layering of the sentiment and the subtly of the stamped roses.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Paper: Kraft, Patterned (Cricut Imagine More Cartridge), Giraffe {Everyday Paper Dolls(giraffe) & Imagine More(pattern on giraffe)}, Tag (Lacy Labels - Cricut)
Ink: Black, Haystack
Accessories: Doily (Wilton), Baker's Twine (Divine Twine)

Shopping Ban Update

Going to make this short. :) All is well with the shopping ban, but my wishlist is GROWING! lol! I started teaching and grad school this week. No time to play, so I don't have anything new to show you. I will be working my tail off crafting for the Labor Day weekend show next week. Most likely, there will not be a new post until after everything is over. Stick with me! I will be back! I did, however, choose a winner for this week's drawing. The next drawing will be from comments on my NEXT post. Take care and have a fabulous week!!!

jackie 4124 said...

Awesome card. Lovin' that stamp

10:27 AM

I am behind on getting blog candy out, but never fear, Danie May and Martha, it will be to you soon. 

FWF Creative Challenge Recap - Week 6

This has been a busy week for sure! I made a pennant for my classroom, a crayon wreath, a card, used my Quarter Note Cricut cart to decorate my classroom...and I only have one photo for you. I don't know if anyone else is going through this, but I have had a TERRIBLE summer with my sinuses and TMJ. The weather must have churned up something that does not agree with me. Given my lame excuse, I haven't done my You Tube video yet, but do plan on getting to done tomorrow after I get home from work. Also, know that I appreciate your comments and try to get to everyone's blog on the hop and comment. Didn't get the time I had hoped for last week!

Shopping ban is still on, however I have a HUGE craft show coming up over Labor Day weekend and have been allotted some funds to get the supplies I need to get by for this show. Nothing new and fancy, but it is uber tempting!!!



Stash items I used: Basic Grey paper pad, retired Stampin Up canvas pieces, Unity KOM image (August kit) and string that was given to me.  (I have something like six big spools of it!!)

Winner for this week...something from my stash (The responses I have received so far from winners who received their packages is positive, so even through you don't know what you are getting I don't give junk!)

 Martha said...

all amazing, beautifully done

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

FWF Creative Challenge Recap - Week 5

My inspiration from my stash this week was the DCWV 8X8 stack Mariposa and Unity/Webster's Pages Today's Special set. Gorgeous! Not a page touched of that pack nor the stamps opened until yesterday. I did these as quickie cards, so nothing super special. . Have a fab Friday!

Fave Product of the Week: Tim Holtz Distress Stains

Winner!!!!!
Danie May said...
This is fabulous. I really love the image of the folk like stencil and your colours.


5:16 PM

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

FWF Creative Challenge Recap - Week 4

I made it a month! (With only one little indiscretion.) Although, I have been keeping a wishlist since I started my shopping ban. It will be interesting to see what really makes the cut when I do decide to shop again. A few of my faves this week have been:
The Boarding Pass Collection by October Afternoon
Lindy Stamp Gang Products

Here is my creation for the week. A truly "Folk Inspired" card from the Unity set of the same name. This was one of my earlier Unity purchases, which never saw ink until last night. So glad that I tried it out. Also, the first time I used the Washi tape and pulled out some great Papertrey Ink vintage buttons. I really like how this turned out, surprisingly enough. I also posted a video this week, but it was TERRIBLE! Had to use my webcam through You Tube because my craft room is in transition. Ugh! Forgive me!

The winner for this week's drawing is

Jocelyn Olson said...

Both cards are fabulous! The geometric circles are sooooo cool looking. And, the kite card--swoon! Love everything about it.

9:46 PM

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

FWF Creative Challenge Recap - Week 3

The winner for this week's Creative Challenge Shopping Ban is

 Meg said...

Wow, these are two GORGEOUS cards! I'm pinning them right now for inspiration! I love how the embossing looks against the kraft!

12:50 PM

Congrats! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com with your full name and mailing address for your package. I have been entering names in manually for a random name draw. Anyone have a good site for drawing for prizes? Thanks to Jen and StampJourney for participating in the challenge! Go check them out! I hope to see more from everyone this week! Can't wait!

This week I created a couple of things...two cards one using a Stamps of Life set and Unity KOM and another card using Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge and Unity KOM. I have also been working with my SIL making birth announcements for our nephew Daniel, but am not posting those until the family sees them.

I feel off the wagon on Monday and bought a package of three 9X12 canvases for $3. There is a good chance they will either become blog candy or head back to the store. Bah!

Below are the cards I made this week...

FWF Creative Challenge Recap - Week 2

Ok...so the format of the creative challenge (shopping ban) I was planning on using isn't going to be feasible with the kids and sometimes not being at home most of the day.

Here is the NEW plan...

1) I will post during the week (here) as I create when I am able. Some may have videos, some many not.

2) The contest still remains, but will be a weekly contest with a recap of my creations posted on Friday. You will need to comment and/or post your creation DIRECT LINK on Friday. Feel free to comment during the week, but only comments from Friday will be entered into the drawing.

3) The winner will be posted on my blog the next time I post. The packages from last week have been mailed. I hope everyone enjoys their goodies!

Creating Your Own Design Paper Using Heat Embossing and Water-based Markers

Using Samantha Walker and Unity set, Decadent Pear

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

Create Your Own DP: Using Heat Embossing & Markers

While I was blog hopping and in the SCS gallery, I noticed lots of coloring on kraft cardstock and heat embossing of white. Kinda the trendy things happening right now as I can tell. What do I know? Anyhow, I thought it would be fun to create a white heat embossed, colored background on kraft cardstock to use as my own designer paper. As mentioned in my video (soon to be uploaded), I have this HUGE container of white embossing powder that, as a newbie about seven years ago, I just had to have. It sat and sat and sat...kinda like Horton on the egg if anyone knows that story. With this project, I actually put a dent into my stash of that!

The stamps are not ones that haven't been inked up before. I adore this set by Samantha Walker and Unity called Decadent Pear. I remember searching for this when it was not available on the Unity site. I am so glad that it keeps getting use. I have a couple other cards posted here using it.

I decided to use the scraps from the first card to create another the second one, which I have NEVER done before. The shopping ban gets better and better!

Shopping Ban Challenge: A Week of Unity

This has been week one of my shopping ban creative challenge and I have to say it felt soooo good! I was unable to make anything new yesterday as I was out of town most of the day and beat by the time I got home.  Check previous posts concerning the challenge and prizes. Love using my KOM! Have a super weekend and hope to see you here on Friday!

Creative Challenge Day 5: Sweet Birthday

The winner today for yesterday's post, randomly selected, is my brother-in-law, Jeff Sweeney! I bet he can't wait for his goodies to arrive. lol! Thinking they will go to his wife!

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

Creative Challenge Day 4: More Than the Moon

The winner for today is Carolann from LogansCraftyMomma who actually inspired me to take on this challenge. She put herself on a shopping ban from January though June of this year. Now that's dedication.! I have decided to finish out this week posting a creation daily, then beginning Friday I will post one video and blog entry for the creations and my thoughts for the week. If you have any words of wisdom to share, great ideas, videos, links, etc. to inspire creativity through this challenge I would appreciate you leaving them in the comment section throughout this challenge.

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner! Email me at shamrockstamper@gmail.com if you see your name posted as a winner!

Creative Challenge Day 3: Rosette Card

Day 3 and there was no temptation, however Day 4 is going to be another story. My mom, aunt and cousins are here and wanting to go to Joann's and Hobby Lobby! I already had to put down a container that I thought would be cute for my Cricut carts. Will power!

The winner of something from my stash for yesterday is Jen Mitten! Email me with your information and I will get your prize to you! shamrockstamper@gmail.com

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner!

Creative Challenge Day 2: Scrapbook Page

Believe it or not...Day 2 is a scrapbook page! (Not my thing at all!) There was no prize awarded today, because there were no comments. I know, I know...I have been out of the loop for almost 4 months, so not a lot of people are stopping by anymore. Hopefully that will change. I NEED the encouragement!!! :)

Remember -- post a comment here and be entered into a drawing for something from my stash. Get an additional entry by posting a DIRECT LINK to a project you created with items from your personal stash. Check here on my next post for the winner!

Angie Blom's Gelato Technique in UnityStampCoTV

Creative Challenge: Shopping Ban Day 1 & Prizes

Today's You Tube Video of Products 

There comes a point one's life as a crafter when you realize you have more than one person really needs to create virtually any project on the planet. Perhaps I am not quite at that point -- check out YouTube and Splitcoaststampers for crafters who have WAY more stuff than I do. It's absolutely crazy! I need to spend less, save more and use more.

With that said, I have started a self-imposed shopping ban beginning today. No crafty purchases online or in a store. How long it will last is not in my plan right now. I want to do this for myself and my family. I would like to use the money I save to convert my craft room into my daughter's bedroom. I love my space and my craft, but I love my family more. I would give this all up for them.

Here are a few caveats...I will still receive my stamps from the two stamp clubs I am in. I made commitments and will stick to them as I dropped them a couple of times when Mitch was laid off. I know...I sound like the priest who gave up all liquids except for water and alcohol...and energy drinks for Lent. True story. lol! Think of me what you will, but this is my personal journey so I can do it anyway I see fit.

My sketchy plan is to create something everyday with what I already have in my stash and post it, along with the items I used, here on my blog. Every time I post a creation I will have a drawing from comments left from that day with a prize from my stash. (Maybe ribbon, stamps, paper, embellishments, etc.) Extra chance in the drawing for creations you post on your blog with items only from your stash. Nothing new allowed! :) You MUST post the direct link of the item on your comment.

Father's Day Flashback Inspirations

I just thought I would flip back through a few of the Father's Day cards I had made in the past few years for inspiration. I have three to make this year and need to get the creative juices flowing!

Claddagh Birthday Card

I finished up this custom order for a gentleman I met at the Celtic Gathering last weekend. It is for his fiancée (or soon to be) for her birthday. Sweet couple. This is a tri-fold pocket card. He wanted the story of the Claddagh tucked into a pocket for her and had a special sentiment picked out for the inside. All of the text was done in Word and printed. For the life of me, I can't remember where I found directions for this. Nothing really new, but still...a little credit is due.

Supplies
Stamps: Celtic Heritage (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark, Tea Dye (Tim Holtz)
Paper: Coredinations Green, Naturals Cream, White, Early Espresson
Accessories: Label Die (Spellbinders), Taffeta Ribbon (SU), Gold Embossing Powder, Slot Punch, Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels) 

Spring Wall Decor

I made this a couple weeks ago with my Cricut and Cuttlebug. I needed something to welcome spring!

Supplies
Paper: Coredinations Textured, My Mind's Eye, Echo Park
Accessories: Cricut - Lacey Labels, Easter 2010, Cork. SU butterfly die, Prima flower, stitching, pearl/lace (Recollections)

Unity FWF Card for a Friend

I had a whole week off from grad school last week...still had to work, but it was AMAZING how much time I had. Did I craft? Barely. lol! I did, however, find this fabulous paper from the Stella and Rose Collection by My Mind's Eye called Hattie. Love it! I picked up a couple other designs from that line, too.

As I had mentioned in my last post, I have become newly reacquainted with my Cricut in the past month or so. Discovering what I can do with it along with some design software. The card base is made by welding images from the Lacey Labels cartridge and the cute folder (with the ticket stamp from last month's Unity kit) was made by welding a couple of images from From My Kitchen. I had a blast experimenting in between cleaning up after a sick kiddo. I'm afraid Fiona is next. She has a cough and low grade fever. Hoping she will be better in the AM, so I can go to work!

Oh...also adore the Prima candy beads...so sweet. Mitch made me a copper tree just like the wire for the beads. I think I am going to try my hand at my own variation of Prima's creation! Have a warm weekend!!!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity February KOTM
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Hattie - Stella & Rose Collection (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Baja Blue
Accessories: Cork, Paper Rose (Prima), Candy Beads (Prima), Pearls, Embossing Folder (CB), From th Kitchen (Cricut), Lacey Labels (Cricut), Gypsy

Fiona & Haley at Cody & Megan's Wedding 

Liam loves frozen peas and frozen corn. I couldn't resist when I saw this on sale!

H{ippity} Hop Cricut Crazy

I have had my Cricut Expression for almost a year (unexpected birthday gift from sweet Mitch.) and haven't used it a whole lot. Was I crazy? It is the coolest machine.  Thanks to some fabulous You Tube videos and getting my final project draft done ahead of time (all 23 pages!) I decided I was going to enjoy myself a little on Sunday.

Here is what I created using my Wild Card cartridge and Ippity's Regal Greetings set. I am not currently selling {ippity} due to the weight of grad school, full time job and a busy household. Hopefully, I will have the time to commit to it after I graduate next June/July. I know the other {ippity} gals would LOVE to get some of this great rubber in your hands!!

I made the wedding cake card with a blackout on patterned paper and one on white cardstock. I stamped the sentiment on vanilla and used the center point setting on a frame for the oval.

Supplies
Stamps: Regal Greetings (ippity by Unity)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: DCWV, White, Vanilla
Accessories: Pearls, Flower Gem, Cricut Wild Card

FWF So and So Loves

It's been tough lately with two little ones...trying to find time and energy to spend on each other. We need to make the time. No matter how much I love our little family, we wouldn't be a family without the two of us. This was Mitch's Valentine's Day card. Looking forward to many more good times to come...and a date night!

Supplies
Stamps: So and So Loves (Unity)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, Gina K Luxury White
Accessories: Woodgrain Impression Plate (PTI), Nestabilities Label Die, Bic Markers, Linen Thread, Shimmer Mist

FWF Simple Hearts

Something sweet and simple this week. I needed simplicity! Blessing for a fabulous weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity November In-Store KOTM
Ink: Poppy Parade, Tangerine Tango, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Gina K. White
Accessories: Gems, Dazzling Diamonds

FWF Unity & Bic Mark-Its

Happy Friday! Luckily, I made a birthday card for my mom, so I had something for the post. Mom not only got a card but a Groundhog's Day Blizzard. lol! I never can find a good groundhog stamp...flowers will do. ;)

I really enjoy how this beautiful Unity image turned out with my new Bic Mark-It permanent markers. I picked up the 36-pack from Staples a couple of weeks ago.  I could like to have a few more shades to choose from, but I can't complain with the results for the price. BTW, the Copic colorless blender pen and other markers are blendable with the Mark-Its. Super thrifty for the...well...thrifty. ;) About $25 per set of 36 (broad tip or fine tip)

Supplies
Stamps: January KOM Unity, Ippity
Ink: Dessert Sand, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Grey
Accessories: Lace Doily, Button, Baker's Twine, Bic Markers

My beautiful babies!

FWF Post

My card got smashed. Trying to figure out how to reconstruct it. :(

FWF Unity with La Pomme Etsy Inspired Challenge

I have a wonderful combination of both an Etsy Inspired Challenge featuring the Etsy shop La Pomme and one of my favorite Unity sets, Decadant Pear by Samantha Walker and a KOM. Had to use some of my new twine and the mini clothespins Mitch put in my stocking. :)

 I added a couple pictures of the kiddos in addition to my inspiration, card and availability of itty bittys at Unity's site.

Decadent Pear

Fiona helping me in the kitchen.

Liam trying out his new snowsuit by making a snow angel!