Proof of Stamping

I have been crazy busy stamping... I would LOVE to share a bit of what I have been working on... but I can't! You will just have to wait... but I do have some justjohanna cards I can now show you. These are cards I created for my Design Team commitment... I made these last month. I am really enjoying my DT work... but boy does it keep you busy!

Stay tuned... I hope to post a TON of cards for you this week to make up for my slackness.

All Stamps are by justjohanna.

I made this bee hive with the Window word punch by SU! Oh what would I do without my window word punch... Sponging with basic brown around the edges of the hive pieces make it pop. Papers are Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla and the Playhouse series by SU! Ink is Basic Brown and More Mustard Marker. Mustard Grosgrain and a brass spiral clip (from Target) complete the card.

This is a simple card. I just love this stand and the matching cage... it's two stamps. And this sweet little bird flying the coop! All in Black Staz-on with Cool Caribbean used to watercolor the bird and feathers. The bird is cut out and popped up with a dimensional. Pixie Pink and Basic Black frame the card.

This is a 3X3 notecard in Pretty in Pink and Designer Prints papers in Celery by SU! The little black metal frame is from Joanne Crafts... I think it was from their own line. A stitched ribbon in celery tops the frame. This little birdie is watercolored with So Saffron.

CHA Dirt!

Don't miss my ginormous post today on Craft Critique... I am dishin' all the DIRT on CHA! Gossip baby... oh yeah!

Coming Soon From justjohanna!

How cute are these images from justjohanna! This is from the new collection... all fruity, citrusey and delish! If you want to see more just stalk the other DT members blogs. You can find a list of them HERE. Of course I am the LAST DT member to post these... I am so slack! CHA just ruined me. I can't wait to find time to play with these images!

What the Fiskars!?!

Ok.. .I am pooped... just typed up a HUGE post for Craft Critique... check it out. CHA is like paper heaven... I want to stay forever. If I could move in I would eat lunch in Elsie's Kitchen every day. We love your new line Elsie. Thanks for being cute as a bug and making great stuffs!

I am Off to CHA!

I am so excited... off to CHA and some fun plans to hook up with some of my favorite stamp artists and bloggers. Martha and I are driving in tomorrow... and Sarah, Meg and I on Saturday. We plan to meet up with Amy, Melissa and Donna from Craft Critique. On Saturday we have dinner plans with some fellow designers and bloggers; Taylor Van Bruggen and Nichole Heady to name drop two! I am so excited to meet all these talented stampers that have been so inspirational to me!

Stay tuned for pictures and updates... hopefully right from the convention center! Craft Critique will have feature articles about CHA ALL WEEK LONG!

I Forgot to Show You This Wacky Card!

What was I thinking? I totally forgot to show off this "Wacky Birthday" card I designed for Sun Spirit Studios! I was featured in their July Newsletter as a Guest Designer.

I LOVE these Doodle Factory Stamps... they are so darn cute, weird and crazy... and in the best possible way. My son loves these little creatures too... I am currently planning a little project featuring them in some room decor... more on that another time! This card was inspired by some graphics on one of Anderson's favorite cartoons; Wow Wow Wubbzy. Hey... I am not proud of it... but I have to get inspiration SOMEPLACE right! No time to go to the art museum! :)

PAPER: All Card stock by Stampin' Up!; Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Real
Red, Basic Black, Whisper White. INK: SU! Basic Black, Versacolor Black,
Copic Markers, White Unibal Pen by Signo. STAMPS: DoodleFactory Sheet One,
Snap Stamps by Karen Foster. ACCESSORIES: Bubble Word and White Star
Sticker by Martha Stewart Crafts, Star punches by unknown maker.

Images were stamped, colored with Copic Markers and cut out before layering
in place.

Busy as a Bee!

I am so darn busy these days! I am working on so many projects... getting ready for CHA... and an upcoming trip to San Francisco... it's just crazy round these parts! Looks like the cool giveaway I had planned will have to wait until August... we will call it an Anniversary Celebration! (one year of blogging! WOWZA!)

So I want to know... who is going to CHA? Let's meet up! Post here if you are going... or email me... I will try to decide a little meeting place for everyone to meet on Friday and Saturday... just for a quick "hello" at least! If you are working a booth tell me where/who!

Also... as I mentioned... I am planning a trip to San Francisco! Whoo Hoo! I NEED to know where I should shop! What artsy, crafty, paper, stamping, scrapping, or otherwise uber-cool stores must I visit? I will have a car... so I can travel... I am staying near Berkley. I'd love some tips!

Also any off-the beaten-path tourist stops? I have been to San Fran before... so I am not looking for the Alcatraz... Fisherman's Warf type stuff... but some of the less known must see places. Keep in mind I am traveling with my Grandmother and a 3 year old... so we are not up for a Drag-Show (too bad)... but we do all like great food, nature, arts... unique shops... that type of thing... Kid friendly stuff for my Hubby and son to do while we shop... etc. Any and all ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks all!

I will have some great stuff to share with you soon... just gotsta catch up with some projects! :)

Blogger RAK!

Ooh! My first blogger RAK! BIG THANKS to blogger Nicole Cooke for this beautiful card! It is very sparkley and cool! And don't you love those corners! She did that with the Rounded Tab Punch! Neat-O!

My A Muse Purchases Today!

I just returned from the Cottage Stamper in St. Charles! Boy, oh boy are those gals sweethearts! seriously... they even kept 3 year old Andy (who was surprisingly good actually)occupied while Angie and I shopped! Lookee what I bought! Some of the images are older; the lanterns... the scalloped line.. the sentiment "it's the little things that matter" is also old I think... but check out the new! Santa Train, Partridge Tree, Robot Kid, and the sentiment "may peace be with you"... love these... especially the robot... I mean who can resist!!! And the Mrs. Clause and Funky Flake were part of our A-Muse-A-Palooza goodie bags! Free Stamps! What a great day!

click to enlarge

Yummy Blueberry Muffins... Super Yummy!

I've been meaning to post this recipe for a few weeks... these are the most delicious Blueberry Muffins I have EVER had! I modified a "Joy of Cooking" recipe to create these. Perfect for those berries you by that turn out to be a tad sour... or are on the smaller side and just not as munchable for snacking.

Blueberry Muffins
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12 muffin tin with paper cups.

Wisk together dry ingredients to sift...
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

In a separate bowl, wisk together the following until well blended and little lumps are gone from brown sugar....
2 large eggs
1 cup vanilla whole milk yogurt
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons melted butter (use 8 tablespoons if you will be eating the muffins the following day... or keeping them for several days.)

Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to blend until just incorporated. Do not over-mix, batter will not be smooth. Fold 1 1/2 Cups of Blueberries (or one pint) into batter and spoon into 12 muffin cups. Cups will be almost full. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking. Bake at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes, or until toothpick entered into 1 or 2 of the muffins comes out clean. Let sit 3-5 minutes before eating. Can be stored in paper bags for 1-2 days or frozen.

I Do Stamp! I Really Do!

Proof today that I still stamp... These were the cards I created for the Amuse Swaps I hosted. The participants should receive their swaps really soon! All Stamps used below are A Muse.

The 4 1/4 Square notecards are by A Muse. The little tags are raised up on dimensionals and the "berry much" sentiment is actually on the inside of the card... peeking through. I colored the images with my Stampin' Up! Markers.

This card marks my first use of my Giga Scalloped punch! DO you believe I JUST got one! I am so behind on the times. The yellow ribbon in the background is actually adhesive tape by Martha Stewart Crafts. The polka dot ribbon is my an unknown maker. Image was colored with my Stampin' Up! Markers. It was tough to match the colors in this A Muse notecard... it's more of a lime. But I think Glorious Green was a nice compliment.

My first ATC Cards! and I am hooked! I will definitely host another ATC swap at some point. Little rhinestones highlight the hat and the sentiment here. All by A Muse. I used my Copic Markers to color the hat.

Fun News!

Imagine my surprise when I was contacted by Lizzie Anne Designs this week! I have been asked to be the newest member of their design team! I am just thrilled to be a part of this incredible group of women! Check out the rest of the Design Team HERE.

Lizzie Anne's stamps are really cool; cling mount stamps in very fun, cute and contemporary images. I am so excited to get started playing with them!

Tagged Twice!

Well it happened... I was tagged. By Anna and Jen (cool blogs to peek at as well!). It's a cute one... and I haven't chatted about myself in a while. So here goes nothing.

7 random things about me...

1. I have 4 tattoos. I got the first one when I was 17 and the last one when I was 28. I love them all and don't regret them one bit. I would love more.

2. I used to have my belly button pierced... and that I do regret (hello pregnancy!). I do have my conch pierced and my rook and don't be afraid to click those links... they are ear piercings... get your heads out of the gutter ladies! :)

3. I lived in Sedona/Cottonwood Arizona for 2 years where I worked as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) . So much for Art School!

4. If I ever go back to college/work I would seriously consider studying Mortuary Science. I think it's fascinating and would be challenging and enriching career choice. Plus I feel like there aren't enough alternative funeral services available.

5. I am usually in my pajamas. I change into them as SOON as I walk in the door. I am really uncomfortable walking around my house in street clothes. My preference; Old T-shirts and men's pajama bottoms (I steal my DH's).... and I sometimes have to sleep with my PJ's on inside out... cause I am like the Princess and the Pea and super sensitive to tags and elastic waist bands.

6. I was a vegetarian for over 10 years. Then I got pregnant and started to crave/eat meat. My husband still is a vegetarian and we mostly eat veggie around the house. That being said; I had a steak for dinner tonight.

7. The first 45 I ever owned was Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. I played it on my Raggedy Ann Record Player.

Ok... Now you think I am a total wack-o... right?

I am really bad about tagging out... so I think I will tag ALL of the reporters for Craft Critique.

Happy Independence Day!

Attention Americans... please have a safe 4th of July! We are planning a day of parades and fireworks here... if the rain stops! Hopefully most of you are too busy with your own celebrations/vacations to notice my lack of stamping! :)

Enjoy this latest video from my YouTube kick...

In Case you Haven't Seen it Yet!

This is SO FUNNY! Fun for the whole family!