Oz-somestamps

Fun Background TAC-nique

I had my monthly Triple TAC-nique class - they are always so much fun!   I was thinking about what TAC-niques I wanted to do for class and looking thru my NEW serendipity stamps and I REALLY wanted to use the Fishy Friends stamp set.  They are simple solid images - and just plain CUTE!  So I thought about what TACnique I could use....hmmmmm.... I know!!!  I call it Scalloped Sea Backgrounds.  What do you think?

I started with a piece of scrap cardstock.  I cut an edge with my cloud scallop scissors - these are a wide scallop.  I placed my strip on my piece where I wanted the TOP of my water to be.  Then I ink up my sponge with Reflection Blue Palette ink and TAP the sponge onto the strip and DRAG it onto the piece of cardstock.  Repeat and then move the strip down and over a hair.  I went back and added more and tilted them just a hair until I had the effect I wanted.  It is VERY much like the Retiform or grid technique - only with a scallop strip of cardstock and going down an piece instead of making a grid. 

At my TAC-nique classes we make 3 different TAC-nique cards and each one has a sample of the sample on the front of the card (they are index card sized cards so 6x5 folded in half to make a 3x5 card) and on the inside there is a write up of the technique - supplies and step by step.  There is lots of room for everyone to make notes too.  Then we store them all together as a TAC-nique file.  I am on the hunt for a really cool index card box - like an old library drawer or something cool.  Right now I have them in a Sterlite box - BORING!!!  I had them in one of our Recipe Boxes - but they do not fit anymore and I want to keep them in one - hey I just had a thought - what if I attached those to each other - I wonder if I could make the lids work...

Kids are off school today - it is COLD out - buit no snow!  They have been praying for snow - but i think the sleds they got for Christmas JINXED it!  Poor kiddos - we have not had a drop of snow - or atleast even close enough to sled on.  We may have to blow them up this summper and use them in the pool instead!

Lots to do this weekend - including one of my BEST friends Helen's retiring party!  SHe is leaving the US post office - and we are all SUPER happy!!  She is opening a shop in JC KAnsas to sell crafts and materials and hold classes.  It is a neat old building - right next door to the Post Office!  SO she will still see all her friends from work.  Like she was worried about that???  I don't think so.  She teaches Basket Weaving - in fact she was who taught me to do that Potato Masher Basket!

Anyway - I better get out of these Jammies and get to WORK!  I don't wanna!

Sweet Sketch - lovin cupcakes!

This weeks sketch was fun - I used the Angalee collection of papers card stock and ribbon for my card.  It is such a soft and sweet palette.  I was talking with one of my peeps Michelle and she was talking about how she uses too much pattern paper and feels limited by it.  It was funny because I had JUST thought "I don't use pattern paper enough!"  SO this one is for you Michelle!

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Like what you see? Click these links to shop my secure TAC website - and don't forget you can get ANYTHING for half price as a hostess with $100 in orders from you and your friends!

Stamps: Little Cupcake and Thank You Gift with Purchase Stamp from The Angel Company
Ink: Noir Palette Ink, Burnt Umber Palette Ink
Papers: Ivory Cardstock, Angalee SWIC papers and Cardstock
Accessories: Super Jumbo scallop circle punch, Angalee ribbon, Color dusters, Scallop Scissors, Swiss dots embossing folder

Be sure that if your order totals $30 or more you E-mail me the order so I can include a FREE stamp as a gift with your purchase!

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If you give the sketch a try be sure to add a linky so we can check it out too!

These cupcakes are SO much fun to color. I stamped out a bunch and then started coloring with my Prisma Colored pencils. I am a sucker for coloring though!  I ran the piece of green Angalee card stock through my Big Shot with the Swiss dots embossing folder and then rubbed my Burnt Umber ink over the raised dots.

Don't forget about these specials about to end.

Be sure to check back on March 1st to see the NEW specials - HOLY CUTE!

SO today's funny?  First while i was till in jammies doing my bible study after the kiddos left for school my neighbor rang my doorbell - she had gotten locked out of the house by her kindergartener.  No purse no phone no keys.  So she used my phone and called her sister and had to have her Dad leave work to come out and give her the spare key that he keeps on his keyring.  I tried to convince her to let me break into her house - since I am a professional!  Ya experience in that is probably not something to brag about - but hey it has only been MY house!  They were gone in about 15 minutes.  No biggie.  Back to bible study.  Last sentence to read...

Phone rings - it is DJ.  I was hoping it was Annette - but i got to talk to her in a bit.  Anyway - DJ has League Band contest today - and he supposedly "didn't know" that he was supposed to dress up!  SO guess who had to drive all the way to another school with clothes for my boy?  Ya I did not even brush my hair or wash my face- I ran out the door with his clothes and was lucky i got a bra on!  LOL!

SO I get to the school about 30 minutes later and it went something like this:
"Mom I am really sorry you had to drive all the way out here" he says.
"No problem" I said.
"Really?"  DJ asked with surprise.
"Uh well I am here aren't I?  Really DJ I do that kind of stuff ALL THE TIME! No worries." 

Seriously!  I am constantly forgetting some ones something or not seeing an appointment or event on a calendar until like 5 minutes before.  SO he comes by this naturally right?  I feel like I do not want HIM to beat himself up as much as I do when I fail aomeone or make a mistake.  Atleast I did not have to leave work to get him what he needed.  Oh wait I actually did didn't I! 

Ahhhh... life with a teen.  I think I need to clarify - or atleast make him realize that HE has to take the credit for the mistake - instead of saying "No one TOLD me we had to dress up!"  Which I think is TOTAL BS! 

I can hardly wait til I have 2 more to deal with.  NOT!!!

Monday Sketch 62

Another Monday and another sketch! 

This is gonna be a fun one! 

I had the most wonderful Sunday!  I did not get to everything that I had on my list for the day - but it was just a really nice day.  I was in my studio for much of it - and I was able to get a bunch of stamps inked and stamped!

No I have not gotten my taxes all in order.  I will though, maybe even today.  Who knows!

I am about to jump in with both feet working on designs and projects for our Annual Winter Angel Round Up that I co-sponsor with 2 other leaders from TAC here in Kansas.   We have been planning and figuring and it is time to put stamps to paper and get the final designs that our 60 angels will get to make as their projects for the weekend.  It is so much fun but also very challenging at times!   Definitely mostly fun!

I got a few sneak peaks to the March specials - you are gonna LOVE them!  Only a week left to take advantage of the February specials - so don't delay!  You can click on those buttons at the bottom of this post to  see the Limited edition and vintage stamps that will be gone soon.   Oh ya - TAC is also getting caught up on shipping again.  They made it over the HUGE amount of orders from the week of the 26th of January (the end of the Half price stamps promo).  SO shipping should be getting back to normal soon!  In fact I am still waiting for a few orders from those last few days of January myself.

Amelia Embossed Felt Album Kits available

I fell in LOVE with this project which is featured in the Spring Serendipity and also was a project that we got to make at the TAC Annual Winter Retreat.  I loved it so much that I offered it as a class at Cropaganza a few weeks ago - and also made up some extra kits - but with a new color palette and more rustic feel.  Check it out:

The pockets of the book are 3x4 - and the length of the entire book laid out is 12 inches.  Each flower is a pull out of deep brown cardstock - that you can add pictures or journaling to.  Isn't it beautiful??  I just LOVE the AMelia collection - the palette is awesome!

I am offering the kits for $8 - plus $2 for shipping.  (if you are local and would like a kit e-mail me or call and I will take care of ya!)

Included in the kit are:

Felt piece cut to size
Cardstock and Decorative papers cut and scored to size
Ribbon - for around each pocket, tie closure and embellishment with flowers
3 Bitty Bloom flowers
2 Large eyelets for closure
Printed direction sheet with pictures and step by step directions with measurements so you can recreate the project.

I recommend that you use Zip Dry Adhesive to assemble the books - if you would like to add it onto your kit is is an additional $7 and $1 if you need it mailed to you.

Kit Options

Kit Only $8.00 Kit with shipping $10.00 Kit plus Zip Dry $15.00 Kit plus Zip Dry and shipping $18.00

I have 12 kits available - and can make more upon request.  And for those that will be attending my Creative Escape tomorrow - I will have them available tomorrow for purchase too!

If you do not want to purchase a kit - but would like to get the directions - look no further than our Spring Serendipity Supplement!  They are $3 and have TONS of ideas and inspiration inside.  You will refer to it again and again when your mojo is not flowing.  Get a supplement and current catalog FREE if you place a $50 order - a Free serendipity with a $30 order.  You MUST e-mail me your order though!!  You can shop anytime at my Secure Online Shopping site.

I am off and running to DJ's regional wrestling tournament - this will probably be his last of the year ashe is not anticipating making it to state!  It will be a nice long drive just eric and I - we may actually have a conversation!  I am excited about that because it seems that we are always playing tag with the kiddos - when he comes home I leave and vice versa.  SO it will be nice!

Hearts for Shamrocks?

With Heart day past - it is on to Shamrocks right?  I do not have ANY St. Patricks Day stamps!  Isn't that sad?  Well I was flipping thru a scrapbooking magazine - Scrapbooks etc - and they had a picture of a Topiary tree they made with felt hearts.  That is where the inspiration for this card came from.  I wanted to use our new Hostess set - Hinges - which you can get FREE when you have a FUNshop, Book party, or place a $100 order! 

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Like what you see? Click these links to shop my secure TAC website - and don't forget you can get ANYTHING for half price as a hostess with $100 in orders from you and your friends!

Stamps: Everyday Occassions, Build a Flower, Hinges from The Angel Company
Ink: Giverny Green Palette Ink, VersaMark Ink
Papers: White Ultrasmooth Cardstock
Accessories: XStatic pad, Black Embossing Powder, Grey Tombow Marker, Spring Bright Brads, Paper Piercer, Pop Dot, Scor-pal

Be sure that if your order totals $30 or more you E-mail me the order so I can include a FREE stamp as a gift with your purchase!

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I stamped and cut out the hearts - than attached them all together with a green brad.  I stamped and Embossed the hinges - LOVE the look of crispness of black embossing on white paper.  I outlined them with a little Grey Tombow marker to really make them pop and look 3 dimensional.  After I had the card all done - THEN I scored the lines to resemble planks of a gate.  I did it last so that I could skip over the hinges and flower and stem. 

Last night I thought I was going to have the flu today - but surprise!  I woke up this morning feeling pretty normal!  Hallelujah!  Eric said "We are all gonna be sick this weekend!"  - and I tried to convince him otherwise.  I hope I can subliminally keep everyone well!

Today I WILL get my taxes sorted and calculated!  So I better get to work!

Girly card for sketch 61

OK - so it took me a LONG time to finish this card.  It was a real booger!  I don't know if it was the stamp set, the colors, papers or what but i tried like 15 different things on the little tab.  Well here it is in all it's glory.  For as much attention as I spent on it I should really LOVE it more than I do!  They can't all be a masterpiece though can they?

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Like what you see? Click these links to shop my secure TAC website - and don't forget you can get ANYTHING for half price as a hostess with $100 in orders from you and your friends!

Stamps: Happy Girl stamp set from The Angel Company
Ink: Noir Palette Ink
Papers: White Cardstock and Yellow 3, Robins Egg 3 Matchmaker Cardstock, and Bazzill Purples, and Gentle Beginnings Designer Collection
Accessories:  Giga Scallop Circle, Mega Circle Punch, Extra Jumbo Circle Punch

Be sure that if your order totals $30 or more you E-mail me the order so I can include a FREE stamp as a gift with your purchase!

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Don't forget to leave your linky so we can all see what you did with the sketch!

I tried to mix it up a bit by using individual circles out of different pattern papers for the scallop border - you like? I was inspired by a card I saw on the Hero Arts blog here. 

Well it is time for me to go get my kiddos - so I gotta run!

Happy Monday - sketch #61

Good MORNING!!! The little ones are off school today - and I have got to get some scrapping done! I have a secret too. But first I have a sketch! 

IF you give the sketch a try be sure to come back and post your linky so we can all see! I will post mine tomorrow or wednesday - depends on how CRAZY my Tuesday gets. It should not be too bad - but all hell seems to break lose atleast a few times a week around here!

So what's my secret? I know you are dying to know - and I have been dying to tell you! I was asked to be a guest designer on the Prima Blog! They have such fabulous products that when I read the e-mail asking me if I would be interested I think I actually squealed! And you have GOT to check out some of their new stuff! I had no idea that they did so much more than those uber cool Got Flowers? bottles! I know where have I been???  Check out the spot to see what my favorites are from their new product line. I even used a few of my TAC stamps on the layouts - I could not resist!  

This week saturday I am hosting february's Creative Escape Crop - I am trying to determine the start time as I type.  DJ will be in Beloit for Regional Wrestling tournament - and I want to go of course!  IUt starts friday and goes thru thil saturday night.  He does not plan to be "in" it for long - as in his words "I suck mom!"  Poor guy - I so admire his dedication and guts to get out there every week and get pinned or out wreslted by upperclassmen.  It sucks being a sophmore on the varsity wrestling team.  It is so hard for a tenderhearted mom to watch!  I try not to let DJ see my eyes filling with tears for him - i know he would just DIE if anyone else saw!  ANYWAY - I will keep you all posted on the start time - for now I am looking at 4PM.  Actually I will set it for then and can send out an SOS on saturday if I end up able to start much sooner than that.

My OWOH winner

I am happy to announce that I have a winner for my One World One Heart give away.

Here are your random numbers:

115

Timestamp: 2009-02-13 15:04:07 UTC

Which was the following comment:

Ooooh, please add my name to the hat....and do stop by my blog for my own OWOH giveaway!!
xoxox,
Ellen
hammgood at yahoo dot com

Posted by: Ellen Lyn | February 04, 2009 at 09:47 AM

Congrats to Ellen Lyn - she won the following gifts from me:See those hearts?  RESIST!!!!  :-)  I am sending her the last of the bag for a REASON!  These are Hershey's extra creamy milk chocolate hearts - and let me tell you - you do not even want to start!  I thought it was all Julie's fault - but she blames Paula Kay for adding them into her Prop swap at Escape!  I just might have to eat one last one before i seal up the envelope to Ellen!

Thank you Easter Bunny!

BAWK BAWK!  Do you remember that commercial?  It still makes me laugh every time i think of it!  Well today's card for Monday's sketch is of the Easter variety...

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Like what you see? Click these links to shop my secure TAC website - and don't forget you can get ANYTHING for half price as a hostess with $100 in orders from you and your friends!

Stamps: No Bunny Like You stamp set from The Angel Company
Ink: Noir Palette Ink
Papers: White Cardstock and Pink 3, Green 3 and Robins Egg 3 Matchmaker Cardstock and Gentle Beginnings 8x8 Pattern Paper
Accessories: Prisma Colored Pencils, Scallop Scissors, misc ribbon

Be sure that if your order totals $30 or more you E-mail me the order so I can include a FREE stamp as a gift with your purchase!

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If you get a chance to give the sketch a try be sure to leave a linky!

I had fun with this card - although I was really anxiously awaiting images from a so called "friend" - who never sent em! You know who you are - and if you read this I hope you feel guilty!!!  So I had to pinch hit with a different stamp for these swap cards!

Anywho - I have unpacking yet to do from my weekend Scrap get away - and loads of stamping to do...So I better get my buns off this computer!

Sketch 60

I had SO much fun this weekend and Crop-a-ganza!  I tell you what if you can ever come to one of these crops hosted by Scrap Funattic you should!  I am SOOOO tired - I even went back to sleep for an hour after i got everyone out the door this morning!  I had to get all my orders placed and get caught up on e-mails befor eI could draw up todays sketch.  SO I am all caught up - and here we go...

If you give it a try be sure to come back and leave a linky - and I will post mine tomorrow and include this same linky there also so we can all see the lovely creations!

Today's sketch seems very familiar to me - it must be a standard layout i use often or a card I made in a previous life or something!  HA!

I got some really really cute pajamas at the crop from my booth buddy Christy of Two Chicks designs - they are so COMFY!  I actually got a different shirt - but she does not have those online yet - they are TOTALLY awesome and I will be wearing it for more than pajamas!  You have to go check out her stuff!

Well I better go jump in the shower - it is almost 2PM and I am still in my jammies!  Our power went out for about an hour this monring and that of course was when i wanted to get in the shower!  So instead I made some jewelry in the living room where the sun was shining in instead!