Thyme to Stamp and Share

Tea Shoppe

donnathames — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:58:52 +0000

I created this card for an upcoming event, it uses the set Tea Shoppe found in the Stampin’ Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. I am entering it in the Paper Players #79 Clean and Simple Challenge Tag It, http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/. I know it has been awhile since I last posted. I have been stamping but to buzy to post. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to blog more soon.

Paper Players Clean and Simple #79

SSC #226 You are Loved

donnathames — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:44:52 +0000

Tonight I did a card for the Stamping 411 challenge,http://stamping411.blogspot.com/. It has been over a month since I last posted. I promise I will not be gone for so long again. Life has just been a whirl wind this last month. I used the You are Loved set in the Holiday Mini, and some of the Beau Chateau DSP. I used the “kissing technique” Diana Gibbs had on her blog mid October, http://dianagibbs.typepad.com/stampin_with_di/2011/10/kiss-me.html and it is beautiful with this set. I made a card with the Marina Mist for my husband for our anniversary, but this was done with Pink Pirouette and Soft Suede- I used Pretty In Pink and Soft Suede for Ink, and of course the beautiful striped ribbon in Soft Suede.

Here is the sketch

You are Loved

The card is a loose interpretation of the sketch, but you have to start somewhere. I am not even sure I remember how to post this blog. I am a little worried that I have been so busy this last month with a birthday sleepover for my 8-year-old twin girls, mega Stampin’ Up ! event, and my 22 wedding anniversary, and the busy holiday season has not even started with Thanksgiving, my daughter’s 16th birthday, and Christmas right around the corner. Liking to cook and being crafty can be a curse because I do most of the holidays at my house, thankfully I have three girls and I hope to pass the torch in 15 years or so. Since I just type this I don’t think I even have time to go to work, and maybe my job would let me take a two month vacation, so I can stamp, plan parties, and cook until January. I am exhausted just thinking of everything.

Wish me luck! and thanks for visiting

Spice Cake SSC #221

donnathames — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:41:58 +0000

Spice Cake Composition Book

Just a quick post, this is not a card but a composition book covered in Stampin’ Up! DSP Spice Cake, a Fun Flower made using the designer fabric Spice Cake and one of the new designer buttons, in More Mustard. I put this together tonight for a quick gift. Actually it features the bookmark featured in the October Stampin’ Success, a monthly demonstrators’ magazine. I started with the bookmark but thought it needed to be placed on a book, so I covered the composition with the coordinating DSP. After I put it together, it seemed to match the challenge at Stamping 411, http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/09/saturday-sketch-challenge-221.html . I have made several composition books this fall, and the removable bookmark is a great idea, because when the composition book is done the bookmark can be reused. I have been busy with many projects this week, just not much time to make cards. Tomorrow night I am making 60 cupcakes for my daughters’ class. Thanks for letting me share.

Build a Bear Invitations

donnathames — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:45:08 +0000

Girl Build A Bear

I did not have the chance over the weekend to work on any challenge cards. I was finishing 75 programs and 25 favors for my mother’s garden club. Last night I did invitations for my soon to be eight year old twin girls for their birthday party on September 24, 2011. The girls’ birthday is actually Saturday and we are planning a dinner, trip to Build a Bear and their first sleepover with several girlfriends. We have one lone boy invited at this point, I hope he doesn’t mind the trip to Build a Bear, they have boy bears and sport clothing. Think of me when the word exhausiton comes to mind. My girls and their friends liked the invitations and we may make Build a Bear cards when we get home Saturday night.

Here are the cards using the Stampin’ Up! Build a Bear Die for the bear and clothes. I used some of the new Stampin’ Up! DSP Beau Chateau for the clothing.

Have a great week, it is suppose to rain most of the week which we need, unfortunately my roof started a “small” leak after a storm Friday night. It is the same spot that leaked when the house was new 15 years ago, so I hope it can be resolved quickly without a new roof.

Thanks for letting me share.

Donna

Girl 2 Build A Bear

Easy Event SSC #220

donnathames — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:22:06 +0000

Easy Events SSC # 220

As we remember September 11th, I have done a great deal of reflecting over the last weekend. On September 11, 2001, my daughter had just started kindergarten. I sheltered her from the events that were just so horrific and graphic. My daughter knew the world had changed, even as a 5-year-old, and she had some perspective since we had taken a trip to see the Statute of Liberty just 4 months earlier. In contrast my seven-year old twins do not know the meaning of September 11th, I gather they did not discuss it much in school or church. Today we went to church to celebrate the freedom of religion we enjoy in the United States of America. Thank you to all the brave souls who protect us so we may know freedom. Tonight I made Chicken Pot Pie, I think I just needed some comfort food.

I also had a few minutes to work on my husband’s birthday card. Instead of doing a masculine card, I wanted a happy card. I used the DSP Big Top Birthday, Real Real Red cardstock, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock. Easy Events is the stamp set, and it is the first time I have used it, but it will not be my last. The ribbon is one of my favorite, Real Red Striped even though it is retired, I love using it for “man” cards. As a final touch I used the 2 way glue pen and added some of the new Mica Flakes. I have mixed feelings about the results but I know the kids will love the whimsy. It looks like a coconut cupcake on steroids. I am using the sketch from Stamping 411, http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/09/saturday-sketch-challenge-220.html, their sketch is always a good starting point.

Have a blessed week, ours will be hectic with several school open houses, and a birthday celebration on 9/13 for my husband.

The Sounding Joy FM #22

donnathames — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:38:41 +0000

Just a short post, I made this card using the Sounding Joy set out of the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini, and I love it. I am working on a card for an upcoming event. I thought I would try the Gate-Fold for the event, but after making the card, I probably will stick to something a little simpler. I am keeping the card closed with the corner bow but I am not sure everyone would be able to replicate that feature, and the card flapping up is driving me crazy. I do like the color scheme Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Gold. I tried using the silver and thought I would emboss with the new pewter embossing powder, but I really like gold and red together. I am going to use the pewter with a different color scheme. Let me know what you think of the card, since I am still tweaking it. I am entering it in the Friday Mashup Challenge which is to make a card with a Gate-fold, http://www.fridaymashup.com/2011/09/fm22-behind-door.html. I wasn’t able to Mash it Up and put numbers in the card unless you count the song “Joy to the World” musical notes and numbers are similar. Thanks for making me think outside my box.

Make a card using the Gate-fold
technique (Actually, there are several varieties of gate
folds…show us what you got!)
Or Make a card using Numbers…any numbers, stamped (if you have them!), chipboard,
die cut, stickers…
Or Mash it Up! and make a card with
a gate fold AND numbers!

The Sounding Joy FM #22

Sunflower SSC #219

donnathames — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 05:25:22 +0000

It has been several weeks since I have been able to blog. To get my mojo back I decided to start with the Saturday Sketch Challenge #219, at Stamping 411, http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/09/saturday-sketch-challenge-219.html. I used my favorite stamp, Sunflower and the new DSP Spice Cake. I love, love love the DSP Spice Cake. Last year one of my favorite color combinations was Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze, this year I am loving Early Espresso and Pool Party. I decided to cut the sunflower out to give it some depth, and I cut most of the petals. For the center I used an Early Espresso marker and some crystal effects. I know the color in the paper is Soft Suede, but I liked the Early Espresso paper with the print. I used Daffodil Delight and So Saffron ink pads, and a Daffodil Delight marker to color the sunflower. I found that rather than stamping the image on the paper, the image comes out better if you place the paper on the stamp and go over it with a brayer.

: Sunflower SSC #219

The kids have all gone back to school and we are slowly adjusting to the new school year. This week we actually had one day that did not hit 90 degrees. It is nice to have a little cooler weather, which means upper 80′s. I am glad Florida escaped Hurricane Irene, but I am sorry for all my blogging friends that did not escape the flooding. I am shocked to see all the damage in the Northeast.

This weekend is low-key, today I got to spend some one on one time with my seven-year old twin daughter, Jennifer. My husband took my daughter Tracey to the softball open house but Jennifer elected to stay home. The girls went last week and it was so hot, so I am sure Jennifer thought it would be better to stay home. We bummed around the house, worked on one of her projects, went to Bed and Bath, and got milk shakes at Dairy Queen.

Thanks for letting me share.

Sunny Fun SSC #216

donnathames — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:49:28 +0000

: Sunny Fun

I made this card last night for my dad’s birthday card using the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #216, http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/08/saturday-sketch-challenge-216.html. I like starting with a layout to incorporate the ideas floating around in my head. I used several new products on this card that will be available in the Holiday Mini Catalog beginning September 1st. The new products are awesome. The most obvious product used are the Mica Flakes in the shaker card- you are going to love this item. The second item used was a Shaker Frame, they are so easy to use, although they are a little small. The largest frame is 1 3/4 inches, so I used two frames together to make my circle a little larger. The final product is the Simply Scored Scoring Tool. I scored the Poppy Parade cardstock at 1/8 inch intervals, you can see the score lines in the picture. The score lines make the piece of Poppy Parade look like a piece of ribbon. I have never had a scoring tool, and I can think of so many uses for this product. I cannot wait to frame with the scoring tool. The card features the stamp set, Sunny Fun available in the Summer Mini Catalog, DSP Just Add Cake, various Stampin’ Up! markers, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White card stock.

Although this is not your typical “man” card, I loved snow globes as a kid, and shaker cards allow me to revisit the excitement of getting a new snow globe. My kids like the card, so I am sure “Pa” will like the card as well. I was also hoping my dad would have cool thoughts. We have had brutal heat in Florida, and little rain until last Friday. Thankfully it rained last Friday night, and we have had some rain everyday the remainder of the weekend. Actually my dad and mom moved to Florida from Connecticut about 45 years ago and my dad loves the heat and humidity. Yuck! Yuck!

My birthday was on August 5th and my dad’s in on August 12th, so we are finished with the August birthday celebrations. Guess what I got for my birthday? New stamping supplies. I got my big order on Friday and I had a great night during the rain storm unpacking it, and thinking about all the great projects. We actually had asked some friends over to go swimming last Friday night, so of course we had a huge storm come through. My neighbor thanked me for asking them over, since that was the key to actually getting some rain.

This week I have been looking at the blog with the Artisan Award Winners for 2011, these artists are awesome if you have some time to check out their blogs you will be amazed. http://hlkdownstairsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Have a great week. Until next weekend.

Donna

Clearly for You

donnathames — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:32:07 +0000

Clearly for You

Today I created this card for two challenges Saturday Sketch Challenge #214 at Stamping 411, http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/07/saturday-sketch-challenge-214.html and Colorlab Color Challenge #51 using the colors Calypso Coral, Baya Breeze, and Daffodil Delight, http://blog.mycreateink.com/2011/07/colorlab-color-challenge-51-new-color-palooza.html. I do not think I have entered the Colorlab Challenges before but I have been admiring their work.

I used the Clearly for You stamp set for this challenge. I have had the set since the Spring Mini Catalog, but I have struggle with using it. Initially the bird reminded me of a blue heron but then I saw someone use it as a flamingo and the lightbulb seemed to go off. I am going to say the bird is a roseate spoonbill since I live in Florida and call it a day. This card is a hybrid of many inspirations and I may still tweak it in the future. I stamped the Top Note Die with the background stamp from Clearly for You and ran it through the Big Shot using the Embossing Folder Vintage Wallpaper, hard to see from the photo. I stamp the bird stamp in Baya Breeze and then removed the ink with a blender pen, and colored the bird in Calypso Coral and accent with Daffodil Delight. The sentiment in the corner is from You’re a Gem. I lightly sponged Calypso Coral on the edge of the punches and around the edge of the card. Overall I am happy with the results, and my daughter will be using this as a thank you note for instructors at Marine Biology Camp at Jacksonville University because she had such a great time.

Today has been a fun-filled day, and I am ready to go back to work so I can get some rest. The family went to church, I made this card, meant with my mother to brain storm with her on a project for her garden club, bought and laid eight bags of mulch with my teenage daughter, and cooked a roast for dinner with baked potatoes and honey glazed carrots. Normally I make mashed potatoes with roast and carrots, and it was noted by my family that I took the easy way out and we just had baked potatoes. I must say, my daughter helped me with the mulch, after a little fussing and I never would have gotten the yard done without her.

Tomorrow is August 1 and I am placing my first order as a new demonstrator. It is like Christmas, it is my birthday week so I may be a little bad, and order some extra goodies. I am so blessed, and I am sending you blessings. Thanks for letting me share- until next weekend.

Open Sea SSC #213

donnathames — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:13:25 +0000

Last night I made a card for my father-in-laws 79th birthday. My father-in-law was an avid historian of Lewis and Clark, and collected many books on the topic until he moved to a retirement home and donated his collection to a university. I am entering this card in the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge,http://stamping411.blogspot.com. The original card had the design down lower but the second card come out a little better. Tonight we are have a dinner with the whole family to celebrate his birthday.

The Open Sea

I made the card with The Open Sea globe stamp, and Nautical Expedition DSP. As you can tell I burned the edges of the paper to give the card a weathered and aged look. First I used the spiral border punch (must be retired) and then I burned the edges of the DSP. My family did wonder last night why it smelled like something was burning if I was making cards. However, I put a wet paper towel on the counter to avoid any disasters. I cut the globe circle using the Coluzzle. I cut out just the image of the globe and put it over on top so that I could just sponge the edge of the globe. I sponged Old Olive Ink on the land and Marina Mist on the water of the globe. I also cut out the image of the land and placed it on top when I was sponging Marina Mist on the water. The sentiment is from the stamp set Word Play “Image the Possibilities”. Since it is a birthday I stamped Big Wish inside the card. I popped the images up with dimensions and used Early Espresso, Marina Mist, and Very Vanilla cardstock. The card is finished with linen thread, which I am lucky I still have since my kids thought it made great string for their homemade bows and arrows.

Thanks for letting me share.