Sad

I just want to start by saying I never intended for things to go down this way.  I did not plan on abandoning my blog for almost two months.  A funny thing happened over the summer - I absolutely loved being on this blog.  I loved doing all of the researching and finding fun products - but something inside me changed too.  I want to be able to give that level of intensity every day.  I want to be able to spend the same amount of time to make this meaningful to me.  And I just don't have the stamina right now or the know-how to work and do this well.  As soon as I do - I'll be back.  So - this is the deal, I will keep the blog up until further notice.   However, I will not be updating the blog for some time.  If you want to be notified when I start up again - send me an email!  I'd love to hear from you.  Until then...

Taking a Break

Good morning!  I thought I'd take this insomnia opportunity to let everyone know I will be taking a break until the 1st of September.  With school starting, this is a very hectic time and I'm afraid I won't be able to commit my full attention to getting the job done.  Look for a new look and focus on September 1st!  I hope everyone has a lovely rest of the month.  Until then...Happy Crafting, Reading, Relaxing, and the list goes on. :)

Friday Fun!

I have only a few things to report today.  I've been concentrating a lot on defining a structure for this blog before school starts in just over a week!  I can't believe it.  I have really enjoyed spending time on this blog over the summer.  I've loved the opportunity to really search around for great things and to use that to create a blueprint for what's to come.  I'm happy to announce that I'm getting a lot closer to having this blog up and running with a schedule of posts.  It should be fun!  BTW: I think Tonks has enjoyed the time as well - she's used research time to sit on the printer and attacking outgoing paper.  Nice!

I don't want to leave you without a few fun finds/inspirational goodness to take a look at over the weekend.  So here it goes...

1.  Check out Jennifer McGuire's card and the explanation of the technique.  Can't wait to try it with one of my new flower stamps!

2.  Check out how Julie Fei-Fan Balzer altered prima colors to give a cool collaged look.  I LOVE her work.

3.  Check out the links to six tutorials on making paper flowers on the new Create: Blog (the new blog for Northridge Media - publisher of Cards and Scrapbook Trends).

I hope today finds you well.  Until then...

My Top 8 CHA Product Picks!

Good morning!  I have a few things to share today.  I'm most excited about the CHA finds I'm drooling over.  I whittled down my list of things and decided on my top eight product picks.  Why eight?  Eight is my favorite number so I just went with it.  Anyhoo - instead of giving a wordy diatribe - I'm just going to get started.  BTW: I have listed the items by my excitement.  So without further ado:

#8) Perfect Pearl Mists - Ranger Ink

Source: Ranger Ink Blog

#7) Clara Lulu and Ida Lulu - Stamping Bella

Source (both images): Stamping Bella Blog

#6) City Park Stamps - American Crafts

Source - Creating Keepsakes Blog

#5) Bee Hive Album - Maya Road: Check out Katie Watson's amazing project here.

Source: Maya Road Blog

#4) Destination Cuppies - Taylored Expressions: Check out this cute card sample.

Source - Taylored Expressions

Source: Taylored Expressions

Source - Taylored Expressions

#3) Restoration - Crate Paper

Source: Crate Paper Blog

#2) Dimensional Shadow Boxes - Tim Holtz Ideology: I cannot wait to get my hands on these!  Check out what the outstanding Mr. Holtz did with his new creations here. 

Source: Tim Holtz Blog

#1) Claudine Hellmuth's Creative Layers Stamps - Ranger Ink.  I have a few fantastic links to share for more information and a better idea of what these stamps can really do here (scroll down to see a great example of all six sets of stamps and ideas), here (very cool video), and here.

Source: Ranger Ink Blog

I hope you've enjoyed my picture heavy product love post as much as I loved making it!  Wouldn't it be great to be one of the product developers?  They must have creativity oozing from their souls.  I wish!  Anyhoo - can't wait to add these goodies to my stash.  I'll pretty much need a second job to do it! :)  I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday.  Until then...

A New Day

It's Monday - the beginning of a new week and there's only one thing I know for sure - I need this blog.  I need to write in it - to express where I'm at right now.  I have big plans for rethinking, reorganizing, revamping this blog.  I want to make it more meaningful for so many reasons.  Right now - I think I'm getting the most out of it.  That's not a bad thing at all - it's just that it's time to move and stretch and grow into something else.  The thing is - I don't want to give up my voice or my approach.  It's so hard to embrace change.  I want to move forward and not lose too much of what I love about this little piece of my life.  I know this is the path I'm supposed to be on - I just need to keep moving.  It was naive to think I could make big changes in 5 days - I know better now.  No matter where I'm heading - I need to stay in this place while I figure it out.  So I'm back on - for now! :)

Let's move on to more creative things.  I want to start by asking a question.  Are you the kind of crafter that thinks about the high chance of your card being discarded while you're creating it?  I'm not - at least not until today.  And I have to say one thing - I won't be doing it ever again.  I came up with the card above and I don't like it.  I didn't take the time to layer and think about the best way to approach the card.  I didn't look through my papers slowly and play with color combinations.  That's my process and I'm sticking to it.  If you're one of those people that think about the circular file, how do you do it?  Does it change your creative process?  How do you stay true to your own design aesthetic?  I think the answer for me lies in my motivation to create cards.  I make cards because it's fun, relaxing, creative, and an opportunity to unwind, release, etc.  I make them for that reason solely.  It makes no difference to me if they end up in the trash can.  It's about the process not the end result.  Don't get me wrong - it's great to get compliments and oohhs and ahhhs but it's just not why I do it.  The positive reactions are perks in my book.  The joy is in the making.  So I will never think about that sort of thing again - it's just not for me!  I would love to hear your take on the circular file dilemma.

Today:  Grocery shopping, card delivering, and a quick stop by my second home for a marble mocha coffee.  Yum.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.  It feels great to be back.  Until then...

Vacation

Good morning!  I'm writing today for one reason and one reason only.  I'm going to take a blog vacation until next Monday - August 2nd.  During my vacation - I'm going to concentrate on this blog and the direction I would like to take it in the next year.  I really love blogging - so much that I'm feeling withdrawals already!  I think it's important to take time and focus and so I'm going to do just that.  I hope everyone has a great week/weekend.  Until then...

Product Love

Good afternoon!  I'm back today banging the keys as promised.  I've been thrown back in the work groove for a total of four days, so this seems like a good time to iron out the kinks/set up a process for when work starts out full force in three short weeks.  It seems strange to me - but summer vacation felt like it was going at a great pace until now.  How can it be three weeks?  I digress just a little...

Today is about product love and I have two NEW products to share from Ranger.  Technically they would be categorized as CHA finds, but it's okay to change it since my feet are no longer planted firmly on Vermont soil.  So without further ado...

I just love these Claudine Hellmuth Studio Creative Layers Stamps.  The basic concept is to combine the foam and clear stamps to make an image.  The stamps come in 6 coordinating sets (foam and cling stamps).  The six sets are bloom, decor, domestic, doodles, dwelling and nature.  They will be available in early September.  I cannot wait!  This post on the Ranger blog has more information and samples of the stamp sets.  There is more information on the sets on Claudine's website here and here.  If you're interested, it's definitely worth checking out.  I absolutely love the look of the lamp.

Since buying my mini-pack of Glimmer Mists from my nearest chain scrapbooking store - I really fell in love with the possibilities.  In fact, it gave me hope in silhouette stamps.  I usually avoid them like the plague.  Tim Holtz often talks about making your own perfect mist sprays and I'm just too lazy for that - plus I don't have a lot of reinkers - so these are just perfect for me!  Learn more about the color offerings on Ranger's blog here.  There's also more information on the press release.

I hope these products have got you as excited as I am.  I can feel my wallet already taking a major hit.  Anyhoo - I don't have anything else to report.  I'm back at home and not so crazy about it.  But it's always this way when I leave my sister.  Things will be better.  On the agenda tomorrow - work and a craft date with the two divas.  I hope everyone has a great Monday!  Until then...

Here, There, Everywhere: Round-Up

Today is the last full day of my adventure.  I have to admit I'm a little down about leaving this amazing place.  It feels like home to me.  I've never felt at home so quickly in a new place.  I just love it.  So - I'm a little sad to be doing my last adventure post - but all great things come to an end.  Here are a few fun finds and details about my last few days.

Fun Finds
*I love this post on scraplifting from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  I love the idea of being a part of a scraplifting chain.  I'm going to make it my mission to figure out a way to do it.

*I'm very interested in getting this video on collaging from Julie.  It looks amazing.

*I love this layout from Piradee Talvanna.  I wish I could scrap more like her.

*I love this pinhole camera from the Engrained Etsy shop.  I'm absolutely amazed that they are functional.  Wish I knew how that worked.

*I'm in love with this Ikea lamp altered with Hambly overlays.  Love it!

Reading Corner
I've been on a bit of a reading binge over the last 48 hours.  I thought I'd share a little bit of what I'll be taking/sending home with me.

The first two books are fiction - adding them to the summer pile.  I wonder if there's any chance I'll get through both?  The last two books are for my current fascinations - baking cupcakes and writing.  I hope they're all wonderful!

So - that's it for now.  Not much more to report around here.  I have a box to mail home - I always buy too much when I'm away.  I need to take a quick trip to a craft store then back home.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday.  Until then...

BTW: I'm going to take a short vacation from blogging but I will be going at full force on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

Here, There, Everywhere - Part Deux

Good morning!  Once again I have a few fun things to share with you today.  This is going to be a link/picture/word heavy post.  I hope everyone enjoys! :)

Not Sure What to Do Here!
I'm back with three stamps to share from my personal stash that have me completely stumped.  I'm not sure where the disconnect is happening in my right brain - I wish I could fix it.  Let's start with one more Memory Box stamp.

Inspire Butterfly Collage - Memory Box

I think this stamp is absolutely beautiful.  I made one bookmark with it for a friend from work - but that's where it all ended.  I've tried multiple things - coloring, painting, twinkling H2Os, and distress inks - but to no avail.  So - once again I started searching!  Before I start posting links - I just want to give a plug to the Memory Box website.  They have amazing examples and tutorials to help people like me out. So without further ado...

*Spring Greens Card - Memory Box (with instructions)

*Inspired by a Butterfly Card - Memory Box (with instructions)

*Enchanted Butterfly Collage - Dave Brethauer (tutorial)

*Sponge Inspired Butterfly - Create x 3 (instructions)

Meredith the Teacup Girl - Stamping Bella

Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Stamping Bella

I love these stamps so much.  They're whimsical, fun, and cute.  My favorite thing is that the sweet girls in the images lend themselves to different skin colors - which is pretty much perfection in my book.  So - why in the eff can't I color either one of them to my satisfaction?  I've had this stamp since April and have pitched every attempt at coloring each image - maybe they're too cute.  Who the heck knows - but if you haven't noticed, it's really pissing me off.  So the search began - and I gotta be honest, I'm a little more frustrated by how cool people can make them look.

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Paper Expressions Blog - I absolutely love the black embossed hair!

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Jackie Pedro

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Jodi Collins - I love the clear embossing

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Kay's Crafty Corner

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Jackie Pedro

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Karen Motz

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Jodi Collins

Lots of inspiration.  Lots of cool coloring.  Hope I have a little inspiration to color one of the girls up nice today. We'll see!  If you hear the loudest swearing ever - don't worry - it's just me.  :)

Product Love

To be honest, I hadn't planned on doing another product love today.  I thought I had unloaded enough product yumminess yesterday - but not so much.  Only one thing to share today from one of my favorite stamping companies.  

Lizzy Lollipop - Stamping Bella

Meet Lizzy Lollipop from Stamping Bella.  I absolutely love all things bee.  I love bees so much that I've planned to someday get a tattoo of a cupcake with a flower top with a bumblebee buzzing around it.  Love bumblebees - all of them down to the transformer.  But I digress...I have a little confession to make.  I never noticed this stamp on the Stamping Bella site until I saw this card.  I just love what Jeanie Witmer did with this image.  I also loved this card by Paula Tracy.  Just love this image - it must be mine!

Fun Finds & Inspiration

*Check out these new fringe scissors from Fiskars.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around using them.

*I love this Art Grid Calendar from Paper Source.  This is a great product for it's utilitarian function and for making art prints later.  I LOVE the trees.

*I love the design of this kitchen by Sarah Richardson from Sarah's House on HGTV.  I love her style so much.  For more Sarah Richardson love - check out this Elements of Style post.

*I love the colors in this Double Torsade Necklace from Anthropologie.

*I love these invitations from Minted on the Green Wedding Shoes blog.

*Check out this tutorial from Operation Write Home's blog on Paper Punch People.  So cute.

*Check out this sponging technique from Paula Tracy - so great!

*Check out this great canvas art from Lucy Edson - love it!

*I'm in love with Design Sponge's post on nurseries.  I love all things design and this post really hit the spot!

So believe it or not - that's almost it for now.  I still haven't done my daily search for CHA sneak peeks so there might be another post a little later.  Before I go - I wanted to leave you with a tip and a cool resource.  

Tip: When looking at fun blogs on paper crafting be sure to take a deeper look.  Jodi Collins's cards are definitely in the running for my favorite cards of all time.  I love everything about her blog.  I often look at it and want to flog myself for not being so creative.  Recently - I started trying to look at things a little differently.  While Jodi Collins is an amazing artist - there is something more to take from her posts then just envy.  I've started to look more closely at the structure of the card to take away a sketch or the layering of patterned papers.  This has given me even more ideas/sketch resources and has helped my shaken ego a little. :)

Cool Resource: Check out Beate (pronounced mia-ta like the car) Johns blog.  She has great video tutorials on her blog.  

Here, There, Everywhere - Part 1

I'm feeling a theme coming on.  This week is going to be a little crazy due to my adventure coming to an end.  Why is this important?  Well... it's because I will be leaving this lovely laptop and all the crafty goodness I've found over the last 12 days and counting.  I can't believe 12 days have gone by.  Anyhoo - this will be the week of  "Here, There, Everywhere."  I'll be all over the place - but in a good way I hope.  Basically it's time to start circling the wagons and unload all the good things I want to share.  So without further ado...I bring you a little...

Product Love

Beach Fun from Impression Obsession

Cuppie in the Kitchen from Taylored Expressions

Follow your Dreams from Stamping Bella

Little Moments Quote from Stamping Bella

All Booked Up from Papertrey Ink

New Tips & Tricks Special Issue from Creating Keepsakes

Cupcakes Embroidery Pattern Packet from bigBgsd 
I love the idea of using stitching on cards.

CHA goodness

Krafty goodness from Maya Road - Love the shadow box and tickets!

New Dimensional Shadow Boxes from Tim Holtz

What in the World?

What do I mean by that?  Well - when I search the internet, I find a lot of cool things that I would love to be able to duplicate but can't figure out.  In most cases - I would say WTF, but that's not a great title for a post - so I reworked it a little.  Here's just a few things online that have me scratching my head right now.

*Ziploc Flower from Maren Benedict

*Art Journaling from Dina Wakely

*Pake from Cakespy.com

So - that's it for now.  I hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday.  No big plans in my neck of the woods.  The rest of the week is pretty full though.  Until then...

Happy Birthday - You Know Who You Are!

Just because you're (30) (40) (50),
Don't despair, oh no
Overnight you won't discover
You've lost your get up and go.
Nor will you become all wrinkled,
Nor ache from head to toe.
So even though you're ripening
Don't regard it as a blow,
You won't suddenly look decrepid ....

...Cos that happened long ago!!

P.S. - I thought I'd be a little like Junior with my sentiment this year! :)

Sweet

Photo: Eric Levin/Elevin Studios

Good morning!  I'm finally going to get a chance to share some of my CHA finds.  It's a little different today because I'm completely off my game.  I pulled something close to an all-nighter - which I haven't done in the last ten years.  Truth be known - I've never been someone who was awake until the sun came up.  It's not really my thing so needless to say - I'm dragging today.  Before I move on to all things crafty - the beautiful cupcake pictured above is from a bakery named Sweet in Boston.  Got a chance to go there over the weekend and can't report how they taste quite yet - more on that tomorrow.  Doesn't it just look divine?

Okay!  I got off track a little there but now on to some CHA goodness.

1.  Rub-ons and Stamps from Studio Calico.  My favorites are the wood grain clocks and birds.

2. City Park from American Crafts.  I know. I know. I've already talked about this line - but I LOVE this stamp set.

3. Maya Road Stamps & Chipboard.  I absolutely love the bumblebee album.

4.  Seaside from October Afternoon.

5.  Indie Girl from Sassafras Lass.

That's it for now - I hope you liked some of the peeks I had for you today.  I'm going to go an try and drink my weight in coffee.  I hope everyone has a nice Monday.  Until then...

Hodgepodge

Source - morguefile.com

As promised - here are the fun finds I've located in the last two days.

*Video on highlighting images from Jennifer McGuire.

*Great post by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer on overworking layouts - I'm totally guilty of this pretty much ALL THE TIME.

*I love Tiffany Johnson's take on the new cityscape stamp from Hero Arts.

*Totally in love with Katie Watson's take on the new chipboard bumblebee mini album fro Maya Road.  I absolutely love all things bee related.

*Speaking of bees - I love Larissa Albernaz's scrapbook layout.

*Love the background on the second card from this post at The Classroom.  I love the layering and the dandelion frame background stamp from Hero Arts.

*Love this card on The Spotted Chick blog.  I want to attempt to color one my lollipops on kraft paper.  I might have just a little left!

*I love using the lined image for a card as seen on the second card on this post on Cards By Kerry.  I always color my images - love the beautiful simplicity of using the line drawing.

*I love the rose cupcakes on the Cupcakes Take the Cake blog - wondering how I can create that on paper.

*Love this video on Green Wedding Shoes documenting a really fun proposal.  Also makes me think that anyone who doesn't think graffiti is art is deluding themselves.  I wonder how they make those perfect circles.  Hmmmm.

*Love the interior and exterior design of this cupcake shoppe on the "Oh Joy!" blog.   Isn't that the cutest trailer ever!

*Can't wait to listen to this new podcast when I'm reunited with my iTunes.

*I think these cupcake plates are divine.  BTW - Did you notice the illustrations on this blog - exactly like the cuppie stamps at Taylored Expressions.

*The food and recipes on the Taste Spotting blog look so yummy.  I'm not sure who searches all over the internet for these recipes but I'm thankful for them!

I hope this has been an inspiring post on some of the things I think are fantastic right now.  Tomorrow I will be back with the CHA sneak peeks that are currently making me drool.  Hope everyone has a great afternoon/evening.  Until then...

P.S. Sorry the pics from my first post of the day weren't stellar.  I was using an unfamiliar camera.

Finally!

I have so much to share today.  I've got to make it fast because my sister is waiting to watch some quality television some people call "Entourage."  I LOVE Jeremy Piven - possibly because his language at times mirrors mine.  I digress...I finally have some cards to share with you and I'm so excited.  It all started with this image...

The stamp is from Impression Obsession and the paper is all Basic Grey - sorry no links today.  I absolutely love the image and coffee in general and the blues and grays are something I really enjoy.  In the end - it is a good masculine card.  So glad to have one of those.

And then I moved on to this image...

I really wish you could see this card in person.  The colors are so beautiful.  I can't say enough about the tiny vintage blue button in the lower right corner or the use of a light blue copic on kraft paper.  This is staying in my permanent stash.

Since I liked making the above two cards so much - I decided to play with different colors and make a variety of cards.  I hope to give them as a gift to someone.  I'm so happy to finally get to share something I've been working on - it's been too long.  If you're interested in seeing the whole collection - I've embeded a slide show.

I have more to share but my sister and the boys of summer are calling.  I'll try to share more later.  Lots of fun links and a few CHA sneak peeks.  I hope you have a wonderful Saturday.  Until then...

Need. Coffee. Right. Now. Please.

Source: MorgueFile.com

It's Friday and frankly - I'm exhausted.  I'm not getting good sleep on my adventure at all.  I spent most of the morning trying to tame my mane so I'm a little late getting to the computer - which is a real drain sucker.  I'm really married to my routine - I even have a layout about it. Getting out of that routine drains my enthusiasm - even for this little blog I love - but I will keep on pushing forward.  Warning - this blog post is going to be all over the place.  I hope you find something of interest here today.

Process
I'm really interested in watching creative people's process - both artists and crafters.  The beauty of blogging and connecting in this way is the ability to see each person's process and things that bring them joy/inspiration.  I'm never disappointed when I see a post on process.  Here are three of my favorites right now.

*Geninne's Art Blog (Posts from Friday, June 9 to Thursday, June 15, 2010) - This piece is so beautiful.  I really wish I was her sister Kiki - then this piece of art would be mine.

*Michelle Zindorf's Freedom in Creativity Blog - Really not sure how she does it.  Even with all the great picture and instructions.  I need help!

*Ali Edwards's "I love you today because..." mini album - I admire Ali's style a lot.  It's not anything like mine at all.

Fun Finds
*Stampington Company - Tempting Templates - templates to make fun projects like houses, purses, etc. with paper and fabric.

*Stampington & Company - The Studio - great reference for tutorials on art projects similar to what is represented in their publications.

*Stampington & Company - Video Library - video tutorials on multiple projects.

*Great tutorial by Kirstina Werner on creative use of ribbon on cards.  Love it.

Color Inspiration
I love bold colors and patterns.  I gravitate to greens, yellows, and blues, but am open to almost anything.  I love the bold colors used by these three artists.

*Sankari Wegman

*Michelle Clement

*Larissa Albernaz

That's it for now.  No big plans today.  I'm not feeling so great so I'll probably play it pretty close to the chest today.  I hope everyone has a good day.  Until then...

Off the Map

I've always tried to make a plan for this blog.  And to be honest - I do better when I have some structure to work with.  Now it's time to go off the map.  Why do you ask?  Mainly because I spend a good 2-3 hours each day checking my regular blogs and allowing myself to go where they take me.  This is a luxury I have during the summer.  And I have found a lot to be happy about.  Consequently, I will be blogging more than once a day for a while.  At least I think I will be blogging more than once a day.  Since I'm not on my own computer - another reason to get a laptop - I need to post what I find during my current adventure.  So without futher ado - I bring you Artsyville.

O Coffee Bean

Nice to Meet You

The artist's name is Aimee and she is absolutely fantastic.  I've always wanted to take a stab at mixing words with images in short story form.  I have it written down in one of my idea books.  In my wildest dreams - I don't believe I could have come up with something as beautiful as this.  Let me take you on a long trip of my favorites from this wonderful Etsy shop.

*Nice to Meet You, Identity, Unlearning, Bewitched by Books, Secret Door, & Do the Duty - these all speak to my life or my thought processes in a meaningful way.

*Teach What You Love and Mind Boggling Business - I want these in my office at school.

*Escaping on Paper and Creative Fire - both prints speak to my love of paper and pursuit to be creative.

Love everything about this artist.  Love her message.  Love her typography.  Love her art.  So much.

CHA Finds
*American Crafts - City Park - Love the felt embellishments so much.

*Cosmo Cricket - Togetherness - Love the curly letters and tiny type.

*Unity Stamps - Cosmo Cricket Lines - I love Togetherness Icons, Togetherness Families, Pixie-licious Fairies, & Pixie-licious Blooms

*Prima - The Paisley Road Collection - love the bright colors and patterns.

Scroll down for the first post of the day. :)

Need Some Help Here!

Have you ever bought a stamp or product that was so attractive in the store that you couldn't live without it?  When you got home - did you find it nearly impossible to wrap your brain around making it work on a real project?  Did it stay in the back of your stash as just a pretty piece of decoration rather than a functioning part of your creative life?

This happens to me more than I'd like to admit.  I'd like to share a few items that keep me stumped.  First up - Memory Box's stamp, Batik Birds.

I loved this stamp from the moment I saw it.  I was entranced by the sample card from the manufacturer.  I bought it in February and it has never been used on a card.  I saw something recently on a blog and realized I needed to rethink this image.  Julia Stainton from The Classroom has given two great examples for this stamp here and here.  I also found three great ideas on the Memory Box site here, here, and here.  Can you keep a secret?  I'm not overly thrilled with some of the examples.  Which leads me to believe, this stamp might not work for me.  However - I will keep plugging away.  I sincerely hope it will not be part of my upcoming purge.

On to the next example - another Memory Box lovely.

I love this image to itty bitty pieces.  I was once again floored by the sample card.  I've had a couple months and have never used it.  It's so lovely - and I just can't use it.  So I went on another hunt and found a really great card on a blog called Monkey Business.  Totally seems doable - I might take a crack at it this afternoon (this lovely made the trip).  I also found another amazing card here.  Don't ask me how to create that brayered effect.  I'm a total virgin when it comes to that effect - and like some virgins - I'm terrified to give it a try.  Last but not least - I found a cool sample on the Memory Box site.  I'm starting to feel good about this image - which is a great thing.

That's it for now.  Today: I have big plans to craft.  Did I tell you that I finally made a card using this stamp set?  It's another example of a rarely used set - but I just love it.  I think I had a breakthrough of sorts with this set last night.

I was really inspired by this card from a previous Etsy Inspired Challenge.  I also was ready to color on kraft paper.  I have seen a lot of cards lately that use kraft as a background for the stamped image and I think it's beautiful.  I decided to give it a try.  Love it so much.  BTW: I probably won't be able to post the card until my current adventure is over.  I brought my camera but not the cord.  I know - don't get me started.  So that's it for now.  I have some other stamps to talk about - but I'll save that for later.  I hope this Thursday finds you well.  Trying not to think about the expiration date on my adventure.  Wish me luck!  Until then...

Just a Little Sad

I saw this post by Andrea Joseph. The post is from Tuesday, July 13, 2010.   And I felt the wet behind my eyes.  I love that little paw touching the paper.  I love her description of trying to get a cat to do something they don't want to do.  It reminds me of my girl.  My crazy, diva, banshee cat.  I don't like leaving her behind.  I wish she could go everywhere with me.  I talked a little about being reunited with my crafty supplies - but I can't wait to be reunited with her.  It's a little bittersweet having so much fun and knowing she's alone.  She probably doesn't even know I'm gone.  But I know I'm not with her.  I miss my Tonks.

P.S. Scroll down for today's crafty post - Product Love. :)

Product Love

Welcome to Product Love - Taylored Expressions Style.  I have lurked on the Taylored Expressions site for some time - participating in sketch challenges and admiring all things cuppie.  I haven't yet taken the plunge into the land of purchasing but I think they've found my achilles heel.  Just look at the fabulousness of their new destination cuppies.

I fell in love with these stamps after seeing the images on Jodi Collins's,  Sankari's, and The Spotted Chick's blogs.  I love the amazing cards they were able to make with these beauties.  I was even more in love with the images after finding the traveling gallery on Taylored Expressions website.  The images are unmounted pink rubber on cling cushion foam.  Love that I found these stamps.  Can't wait to have them in my stash.

So on to other exciting things.  In several of the posts over the next few weeks, I plan to link to my favorite sneak peeks for the Summer CHA show.  I have three things to share today - I hope you enjoy.

*Restoration from Crate Paper

*Dear Lizzie Enchanted from American Crafts

*Pixie-licious from Cosmo Cricket

I can't wait until these products start hitting stores.  Guess it will be time to do a purge again - which is overdue in my humble opinion.  I hope everyone has a nice Wednesday.  It has made me so happy to share these products with you.  Until then...