And now for Something Completely Different

Ok... it's REALLY late... so forgive me for not giving more details in this post... I was up stamping... FINALLY, after over a week of not being able to sit comfortably at my desk. So hooray for me!

Today I'd like to introduce you to my scrappy pal Elly and these amazing stamps she designed! Elly is crazy talented... check out her gallery at SIS TV.

Anywhoo... here are the images... they come uncut and unmounted on a big sheet of dark navy rubber, so they are impossible to stain! They are deeply etched and of wonderful quality.
Aren't they fun and quirky?!? SO here are some of my designs with Elly's stamps... I will pop back in tomorrow to tell you more about the papers and inks and stuff...


Edited to add details on each card 7:15PM 11/29/07

Paper: Yo-yo Yellow, Wild Wasabi, whisper white and a retired floral paper by SU! (pieced on the top of the mushroom-house). Ink: Adirondack black and Versamark (on wild wasabi), colored with Copic markers. Accessories: red brads by unknown maker and awesome red vintage mushroom ribbon.


Paper Yo-yo Yellow and Whisper White. Ink: Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink. Background and focal point squirrel are glittered with Versamark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder. Scalloped circle edge dotted with a white Sakura Glaze pen.


Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper white and miscellaneous kick-butt papers by Bam-Pop. Ink: Adirondack Black, and Copic markers. Ribbon by various unknown makers.


Paper: Real Red, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Bam Pop and SU! (retired) papers, also origami paper from Paper Source. Ink: Adirondack Black and Copic Markers. I doodled the frames with a black Sakura Glaze pen.


Paper: Naturals White, Chocolate Chip and various designer papers by SU! for the trees. Ink Adirondack Espresso. I watercolored the mountains with SU! watercolor crayons. Large brown brads finish the look.


Ok... there is a LOT going on here. This is a 6X6 card... the base is in Pumpkin Pie. The "birthday" sentiment on the right was done with vintage rub-ons (amazing find from Dick Blick), the cartoon background paper is from a Japanese notebook. The robot is embellished with various origami papers. The stars are by American Crafts and the little silver rivets are by Joanne Crafts.

Striped Tidings for You

Well, I am still out of commission... But I am feeling better. Thank you all so much for your emails and comments! It really means a lot to me!

I guess while I am just sitting around...and since I can't really stamp yet... I have no excuses but to update my blog and online galleries! Here is a Lizzie Anne Designs card I made a few weeks back using the versatile set "Glad Tidings".

I used markers (Garden Green, Celery, Real Red, & Summer Sun) to color the tree. The striped paper is by Daisy D's (they have SUCH cute designs!) Other paper by Stampin' Up!; Kraft, Vanilla and Blue Bayou. Wide grosgrain ribbon in Real Red by SU!

Oy Vey!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had a little accident over here... I thought I'd share my tail of woe... Apparently when you turn 35 you slowly start to fall apart.

On Tuesday I had some minor back pain in the morning... and by 7PM I was literally unable to move without assistance. I was able to get into the doctor the following day... walking in like a 90 year old woman. To add to my worries I was hosting Thanksgiving... and had 10 people coming a huge meal to prep and a house to clean!

It turns out that the problem is likely muscular which I suppose is better than the alternatives... I swear I have not had so much pain outside of childbirth! So I am taking some muscle relaxers and prednisone now... I feel a lot better... the pain comes and goes, but at least I can walk now without help and my back isn't spasming.

Luckily for me I have an amazing husband and a wonderful family. Everyone rallied and helped cook... I basically sat and directed all my wonderful soux chefs! Dinner was delicious and a great time was had by all...

I certainly have a lot to be Thankful for!

What I Dig...

Hey all... this is what I am digging on Etsy... I've been hearting lots of gift ideas for family and friends... and some stuff would love to buy for myself! :)

Etsy Buy Handmade staramaze

Two Days in a Row!

That's right... it's me again... two days in a row baby! Somebody give me a cookie.

So here is my second Glad Tidings Card with Lizzie Anne Designs images. I especially love the scalloped chipboard circle (SU!) covered with Vintage Glass Glitter in Antique Silver by Art Institute Glitter Inc. It actually looks like crushed mercury glass.... it is just lovely! I used Heat and stick powder to set the glitter. I seriously want to glitter everything after playing... it is just gorgeous stuff... the picture doesn't do it justice. It really reminds me of vintage glittered letters. I think I am going to glitter up some chipboard letters with this for Holiday packaging!

The embossed base paper is like 7 years old... I really have no idea who made it... maybe Anna Griffin? The harlequin pattern is by the Paper Studio. The ink is all Stampin Up!... Basic Black, Moss and Rose Red (I used markers on the holly leaf and berries). Ribbon by JoAnne Craft Essentials.

I am loving Vanilla and Black with a touch of color for the Holidays. It's got a folksy sort of feeling to it.

Stay tuned to see if I can post 3 days in a row! :)

Holiday Elegance

Just a a simple, elegant Holiday card with Lizzie Anne Designs Stamps. I used only one color of ink; Close to Cocoa by Stampin' Up! The pine cones were stamped on Whisper White and framed by Chocolate Chip. The stripe on the bottom is Blush Blossom, the card base is Close to Cocoa highlighted by SU! designer paper. The ribbon is a pale blush ribbon by Martha Stewart Crafts... it's so luscious!

I really loved working with this Lizzie Anne set "Glad Tidings". I coordinates well with many Stamping Up! punches and it's so sophisticated.

Sorry for the lack of posting... I am just trying to catch up with some "life" related stuff... housework, laundry, holiday preparation... but I will have some fun holiday projects to share really soon... so please keep coming back!

Have a great week everyone!

Printer Giveaway!

You MUST visit Craft Critique today! You could win a FREE All-in-one printer-scanner-copier from Kodak!

GO NOW!

Crafted...

The craft show was a blast! not super BUSY... but totally fun. Just sitting around chatting with Martha and Susie was great... and I sold enough to cover my expenses, and purchases!

I wanted to share with you a few items I created for the show... more of which will end up in my Etsy Shop (which isn't open YET).


These are created with vintage LP's and some cool vintage paint-by-numbers (some painted, some not) I scored at Garage sales! I binded them with my Bind-it-all and they are filled with various blank pages and some printed scrap paper and origami papers.

It's Tomorrow!

Come one, come all! Sunday, November 4th. Visit me with my crafty pals Martha and Susie at "CRAFTED"... a handmade market of exquisite and curious things! This craftacular (yes... a new word) event will be held at Durty Nellie's in Palatine, IL... so hop on a train (you can easily walk there from the Palatine station) or car pool and GET THERE! I am so excited to be a part of this unique happening! Open 9AM-4PM.

If you live locally I would really appreciate your help in getting the word out! Tell everyone you know who has money to spend! Or print up a FLYER or 12 and hang them all over the place!

I am still not fully prepped for this... eek! I better get to work!!

Just Popping by...

Hope you had a magical Halloween! More tomorrow...

Check Craft Critique today for some Lizzie Anne Design cards by me!