Ever since I saw Ali Edwards home office with a printers type tray I've wanted one too. I finally picked one up from ebay with the original intention of altering it for photographs but the little sections were too small for this idea.  So instead I followed her example for stamp storage in her office and am using it to store all the little stamps that I have (mostly alphas and word art).  I actually like this idea because I can see what I have, things I'd long forgotten about so that when I actually start stamping/paper scrapping they are right there in front of me and I think I'll feel more inclined to use them.

Ali's:


Mine:

It's been absolutely forever since I made any cards.  I joined an SU! stamping club last month and we had a second meeting on Wednesday night.  Since then I've had the hankering to start making cards again but didn't get an opportunity (and inspiration) until tonight.  As usual I did a little bit of mass production and made 5 cards (using some already cut to size card stock bases).  I used a wheel I had never used before (although I'd had it a few months) and some pearls from my Pretties Kit (again that I've never used but had a few months).  I really like the way these turned out and will use them for any occasion simply by stamping a greeting on the front (above the white cardstock) and a sentiment on the inside (Thank You, Birthday, Thinking of You etc).

Here they are:
Credits:
Forever Flowers Wheel, Pretties Kit, Close to Cocoa ink, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, White CS, Pale Plum CS, older light blue CS (can't remember name of color), scallop punch, prima flower.

I've been working on a couple of craft projects this week trying to get ready for when the baby arrives.

The first project is a baby birth announcement. I started out making 10 of these but 2 got messed up so I'm down to 8 (if you get one you'll be very privileged!). I'm using some older stamping up supplies and a cute stamp set I found at the LSS. I'm just waiting to borrow an SU corner rounder so I can create a scalloped edge down one side then I'll post a photo.


The second project is a mini album for the grandparents. This is the third time I've made mini albums (see the first and second part 1 /second part 2 albums). This time I'm doing something I have never done before, making an ABC album. I don't know why I haven't used this approach before but it's working out pretty good. You have to be a little creative with your alphabet but I kind of like the structure.

I borrowed an idea from the Simple Scrapbooks Album Shortcuts special issue pages 90-91 where each double spread has one vertical and one horizontal photo and uses a round journal stamp to record the details of each. The pages are minimally decorated and the photos will be 4x6 for speedy assembly. 9/26 pages are done but I'm going to need to take some more photos to get these finished (of course I'm saving a few pages like B is for Baby) for after the baby arrives.


Here's a sample, "F is for Friends" (G is before I add the photo and journaling).

I am cleaning out my craft closet to make way for some new stuff. Here's what I have for sale, first come first served. Everything is used unless stated otherwise. Current SU! items 20% off, retired 40% off.

*Accessories*
Idea Book and Catalog 2006-7 (6 available) $5
Stampin‘ Pastels (sealed, current, $34.95) $28
Classic Pad Black (sealed) (current, $7.25) $6
Classic Spots Black (6 available, seal intact) $2
Versamark Ink Pad (sealed, current, $10.50) $8
Spring Bouquet Punch (current, $21.95) $18
(matches Looks Like Spring Stamp Set below)

*Stamp Sets*
A Greeting for All Reasons (retired, $39.95) $24
Love Without End (retired, $34.95) $21
The Fine Print (retired, $24.95) $15
Simple Somethings (retired, $17.95) $11
Shapes and Shadows (retired, $42.95) $26
Mini Messages (retired, $24.95) $15
Brushstroke Alphabet (retired, $53.95) $32
Send a Celebration (retired, SAB) $10
Oh My Word (retired, hostess level 2) $17
Happy Winter (retired, $16.95) $10
Crosshatch (retired, $22.50) $13
Looks Like Spring (current, $41.95) $33
Polka Dots and Daisy (current, $25.95) $21
Wild Rose (current, $50.95) $41

See www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery for images and samples.

I have to say I have no idea why I ordered SU!'s Both Way Blossoms as a Level 2 Hostess Benefit. I really don't like these stamps a whole lot. So for my mum's mother's day card I thought I try to use this set and I've decided it isn't quite as bad as I thought.

Recipe: SU Both Way Blossoms, Linen, stamp sets; Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Whisper White CS; Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, Basic Black inks. Distressing Tool. Dazzling Diamonds. Anna Griffin Sentiment stamp.

Normally Craig doesn't ask me for birthday cards (not sure why) he just buys them. But this time he asked me to make a card for his father (perhaps he's figured out that with all the stuff I own I can just make them?) Anyway this is what I rustled up for his dad this weekend. I CASED the design from the 2006-7 IB&C (level 3 Hostess set) but substituted a few things.

Recipe: Look Like Spring, It's Your Birthday stamp sets; Brocade Blue, Always Artichoke Inks; Brocade Blue, Always Artichoke, Naturals Ivory CS; Old Olive Button.

While I can spend all day on the Splitcoaststampers website I don't often participate in challenges. However, the brown snowflakes challenge intrigued me and once I saw some sample brown snowflake cards I had to try too! I really love the brown snowflake look, I think it's pretty classy.

Recipe: Sweet & Simple, Many Merry Messages stamp sets; creamy caramel, close to cocoa, naturals ivory CS; close to cocoa inks; chocolate grosgrain ribbon.

I made this card for a swap I'm in. It was the first time I've used my new Roses In Winter set. I have to say I am pleased with how it turned out (although you really can't go wrong with RIW).

Recipe: Roses In Winter, It's Your Birthday stamp sets; Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Whisper White CS; Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss inks; Hodgepodge Hardware; Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.

Well it might be the beginning of Fall, but the cards I've been making are very Summery. This Stampin' Up! set is called In Full Bloom and is a great set if you like to watercolor images. I made these card fronts for a swap that I'm in with other SU! demonstrators in Kelowna later this month. I hope they like them as much as I do!

Recipe: In Full Bloom and It's Your Birthday Stamps Sets; Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Regal Rose CS; Watercolor Paper; Regal Rose, So Saffron, Always Artichoke inks.



Recipe: In Full Bloom and It's Your Birthday Stamp Sets; Always Artichoke, So Safrron CS; Watercolor Paper; So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke inks.


This is my favorite of the four cards, I just love the color of this flower!

Recipe: In Full Bloom and Curvy Verses Stamp sets; Always Artichoke, Regal Rose CS; Watercolor Paper; Ruby Red, Always Artichoke inks; Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.


Recipe: In Full Bloom and It's Your Birthday Stamp sets; Regal Rose, So Saffron CS; Watercolor Paper; Regal Rose, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Versamark inks.

Here are the last two card designs to make a total of 5 cards. Each participant will make two of each card for a total of 10 cards. For further details see the first part of this post.

I missed posting this card I made a few days ago, so here it is.

Recipe: SU Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Naturals Ivory CS; Sweet of You Stamp Set; Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa Inkpads; non-SU green grosgrain ribbon.

I don't know why, but I always seem to make cards in pairs lately. For some reason the kids were in bed super-early tonight so it gave me a chance to work on the pile of pre-stamped images on my craft desk.

This design was lightly CASEd from SU IB&C 2006-7 p.83. I did two similar cards for different occasions.

Recipe: Nice & Easy Notes, Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp sets; Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip CS; K&Co PP; Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon; Basic Black, Close to Cocoa inks.


Recipe: Nice & Easy Notes, Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp sets; Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Creamy Caramel CS; K&Co PP; Glossy Paper sandpapered and stained green; Basic Black, Close to Cocoa inks.

J is still having 2 naps a day, so while he was down this afternoon I had a chance to make two cards with my new Sweet of You stamp set (yes, I admit it, eBay again!).

Recipe: SU Sweet of You, Curvy Verses stamp sets; Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Naturals Ivory CS; Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana inks; Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon.

Recipe: SU Sweet of You stamp set; Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Naturals Ivory CS; Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Bliss Blue inks.

I often stamp a whole bunch of images and color/cut them in advance of making cards to save time. Well if you do this you'll know that you end up with a big pile of stuff on your table. So this morning during J's nap (1 hour) I decided to see what I could do with some of these odds and ends. This is what I came up with. But first a little history.....

I really like the flower in the SU Be Happy set but realized that it was similar to the one in the Love Without End set minus the words. So I thought I'd make my own version by stamping the By Definition over the top of the flower. I cut out the flowers and stuck them to the tags using dimensionals for a 3D effect. I also used versamark with the repeat flower in Pocket Full of Posies to create a background on the tags.

I'm saving this one for my mum as green is her favorite color! This way I'll be prepared for British Mother's Day in March instead of missing it like I usually do :(

Love Without End Mother Day Card
Made with: Love Without End, Pocket Full of Posies, By Definition SU Stamps; Anna Griffin Happy stamps; Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Whisper White SU CS; K&C PP; Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa SU Inks; Versamark; CTMH Sweet Clover eyelets; Pretty in Pink SU Buttons; SU Dimensionals.

Love Without End Friendship Card
Made with: Love Without End, By Definition, Curvy Verses SU Stamps; Close to Cocoa, Whisper White SU CS; K&C PP; Celery, Close to Cocoa SU Inks; Celery Grosgrain Ribbon; Mellow Moss Button; SU Dimensionals.

Well you could say that about the colors I picked for these cards. I don't know what came over me... I'm all pastel-ly.... Anyway, each image was stamped again with Versamark and then Startdust embossing powder for a sparkly look (which the scanner didn't capture well). Hope you like!

This is my first attempt at faux stitching using white signo gel pen. I'm gonna have to work on this some more, I think I need to pierce the paper.

SU Blooming With Happiness, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery CS and Inks. Celery grosgrain ribbon.
SU Blooming With Happiness, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink CS and Inks. Pretty in Pink button, gold metallic thread.

SU Blooming With Happiness, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink CS and Inks. Pink grosgrain ribbon.

A couple of quickies using the mellow moss, ruby red and chocolate chip theme.

First up, a quick thank you to Pat and Ray for dinner!
SU Toile Blossoms, Noteworthy. Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Natural Ivory CS. Basic Black ink. SU Chalks. Chocolate grosgrain ribbn.

Then a birthday card for my stash!
SU Nice & Easy, It's Your Birthday. Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Natural Ivory CS. Basic Black, Close to Cocoa ink. SU Chalks. Chocolate grosgrain ribbn.

Here are the remaining 4 cards (Picasa & Blogger only upload 4 at a time).

I absolutely love this set by Lisa (lzappa) at SCS http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p?photo=322166. It was my inspiration for these 8 cards that I made. To create a faux recollections paper I stamped 1 sheet natural ivory with Linen BG in Mellow Moss, then stamped Best Blossoms in Mellow Moss and Ruby Red. Then each Blooming With Happiness image was stamped in Mellow Moss, Ruby Red and Barely Banana. Distressing done with Ruby Red.