Ink, inc.

Clean & Simple Challenge #12!

2009-07-04T15:33:00.003-05:00

Can you believe that we are on week 12 already??? Does that mean that i have 12 layouts done? No, I think i actually missed 2 of them! Oh well, I'll take 10! It is really hard to get a good picture of a 12x12 layout. But you get the jest of it. We had soo much fun at my parents house that 4th of July! Mom is always buying something crazy and fun for us on the holidays! These were the fun hats we wore that yr. I can't believe that year was 2005! What the heck?? Where does the time go? So here are the deets of the layout: The paper is Real Red, Stampin Up! The pattern star paper is from I don't know where. ha! The stars I punched using Stampin' Up's star punches. Red velvet brads are from Spare Parts. The Red chipboard letters are Thickers! Gotta love those sweet things! The chipboard "Year" is from Lil' Davis! Oh, and the gingham ribbon is from Stampin' Up! too of course!!! I think that about covers it! Hope everyone has an awesome 4th!!!

Clean & Simple Challenge #10

2009-06-13T20:23:00.002-05:00

Holy Moly! I can't believe once again it has been awhile since I chatted on here. Probably because I have become a FB junkie! I have had such a good time chatting with my grade school friends the most! Have ya all been on there yet? If not I think you should check it out! Do Not put your maiden name on there though if you dont want everyone from your past contacting you cause they will find you! Anyways, here is Jennifer's challenge this week. I can't believe I have gotten behind on these too. For this week's challenge she made it "anything goes". Since I didnt have a chance to play along in last weeks challenge I decided to use the sketch from last week for this weeks challenge! As ya all know I HAVE to have a sketch or I am blank! Ha! As always, most of the things I used are from Stampin Up. I did use some chipboard from lil' davis and the rub-ons are doodlebug. I wasnt sure about the big "pretties" flower in the corner but I felt it needed something up there. it is from stampin up also! Thanks for looking!

Clean & Simple Challenge #7

2009-05-04T10:55:00.003-05:00

Did you see that if you post your layout for the challenge by today that you are entered to win a package of loot??? Since I'm grounded from my credit cards for a little while I figured I had to get this done to at least try and WIN some loot! Ha! Like I need another thing! I had a little trouble with this sketch. Not that it is a hard one or anything but I just didn't feel like I had the right embellishments for it. I wanted some kind of swirly thing in the lower left corner but just didn't have anything that I could make work. So, I went with the quote. Anyways, isn't the Bo- Bunny dog paper to die for?? I was so happy to use it! I really wasn't planning on scrappin' my dog but they have so many dang cute dog things, it's crazy! Sooo once again I got sucked in! I feel guilty for scrappin' my dog instead of my son if you KWIM? Ha! Anyways, as always thanks for looking! Oh, and don't worry about playing along because that is just a better chance for me to win! LOL!!! Just teasin' :)

Double Unity Challenge!

2009-05-01T20:00:00.003-05:00

So, Unity Stamp Co is having all this crazy stuff going on since it is their one year ann. Well, the prize is you get a free year sub to their kit of the month club! It is such an awesome kit club! What a prize that is! I think i would actually cry if I won! Ha! I decided to combine both of the challenges. One challenge is to use the sketch but you also have to use the Unity April Kit of the month. The other is the color challenge (baja,ruby,kraft,saffron). What pretty colors together! I won't go into all the details but if you are interested you need to check out the amazing new place. You know, "The Unity Place" (see the link on the side). Here is all the loot I used on my card: Stamps: April Unity Kit of the month Paper: Kraft, baja, sweet slumber speciality, white (papertrey) Ink: baja, ruby, saffron Accessories: kraft ribbon, buttons, ticket corner punch, gel pen, sponge daubers, pop dot for the center kite I think that about covers it! Thanks for looking!

Clean & Simple Challenge #6

2009-04-27T17:34:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend! I sure did! I had to go to Archiver"s (oh darn!) for an annual get together I have with a group of ladies that I swap with! It was a short visit but it was nice to see them and I came home with a whole stack of new cards! Yippee! Some of the ladies live in WI and MI so they come from all over for our crop weekend! I actually had major brain freeze when I was there so I got nothing done! Of course, after I came home I was all ready to scrap! So... I did the challenge today that Jennifer Buck has every Sunday! And now she is starting a color challenge so watch out for that! The first one was posted today actually so be sure to check it out on her blog! Here is the layout I did for the challenge. I haven't have a chance to do the color challenge yet but hope to do that soon! This is actually a kit I recently got from Oriental Trading. It is so cute and I thought it was good with the sketch! I think the pencil is my fave part! :) I have been wanting to scrap this photo of my son. I just love his cute smile. I also love the way he has his socks pulled up! That is soo him, still to this day I have to remind him to push his socks DOWN! Ha! Anyways, I wanted to journal all that on the page but I wasn't sure where to put it. Hope ya like it anyways and thanks for looking!

Clean & Simple Challenge #5

2009-04-20T20:11:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday! I actually don't mind Mondays because they are my day off. Therefore, I don't suffer from the "Sunday Blues" if you will. I wonder why on Monday night I don't suffer from the "Tuesday Blues?" Mind over Matter I guess? huh? So... I started the Clean & Simple challenge #5 yesterday and I finished it today. Like I always say it is very challenging for me to not use up all that space on my red background paper. Another challenge I have is not mounting my photos. I felt my photo was too lost with this pattern paper so I couldn't resist adding a mat to it. I love this picture of my son. I still remember how beautiful this day was last summer. And for sure the perfect day for kite flying. It is usually too windy here in chicago to fly a kite so when the weather is right you have to take advantage of it! Boy did we have fun with the kite that day. I remember we left it in the ground (the spool holing the kite string that is) and we just let it fly like that for hours. I am going to have to do another kite layout showing some great action shots of ben flying the kite and my husband is in there also. But the photos of the kite and the clear sky are to die for. Anyways, here is the layout i did for the challenge. Some key supplies are the kite paper ( so perfect) is from adorn it (carolee's creations) the felt arrow was made using my CB and an arrow die. The felt flower is Martha Stewart. The felt photos corners are from a kit i got from little red scrapbook but i think they are from la-de-da. I've had the clipboard for a long time so not sure who the heck made that one. The ribbon, buttons and spiral notebook and corner rounder punches are from SU. I have to mention them of course! :) Anyways, enough of that! Thanks again to Jennifer for another great sketch! I can't believe I have 4 layouts done so far and it is only April! That is more layouts than I have done in the past 4 years! LOL! Thanks for looking!

Clean & Simple Challenge #4

2009-04-17T17:28:00.004-05:00

Gosh, I can't believe that this is the third week that I have done this challenge! I am soo happy to be scrappin' again! I actually missed the first week's challenge but I hope to go back and do it someday.

This is a 12x12 layout that I did this week. I must say that I am pretty pleased with how it turned out! I used a combo of different products but mainly making memories, and stampin up! Oh, and that cute tree paper is from My Mind's Eye (if I'm remembering correctly).

I wish my picture would of turned out better. My scanner was no better. The top picture is a little dark. Anyways, the journaling reads "Ever since I was a little girl my parents always gave us a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Not only is the tradition still going, but this year (2008) my parents included Mikaela, my niece, in the "PJ Tradition"

Gosh, I better get this posted since it is due tonight!

Thanks for looking!

Clean & Simple Challenge (CASSB03)

2009-04-06T20:11:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it is Monday already! After my dreaded trip to the dentist to have two cavities filled I came home and scrapped! I was so happy to get another layout done. I did this layout for Jennifer Buck's Challenge. She has a new challenge every sunday posted on her blog. I try to make it as simple as I can but that is hard for me. I always want to fill all the empty space up. I don't have many vertical photos (believe it or not) so the fish layout won! The upper half of the sketch is suppost to have two photos but I couldn't cut the fish photos any smaller so I just used one photo and divided it in half with a strip of paper to make it look like two photos. ANYWAYS....Here is the list of supplies I used: For my paper I used that awesome fish paper from Cosmo Cricket, kiwi kiss textured CS, whisper white and so saffron CS all by SU. The red CS is Poppy from Papertrey. If you like a true red color I highly recommend that poppy color!The saying is a rub-on (misc). I also used the scallop edge punch from SU. The ric rac ribbon is from Joann's. The brads and linen thread are also from SU. I "popped" the saying on some pop dots. I never enter any of my layouts or cards into contests but at least I am getting some layouts done and if I win I will be presently surprised! Jennifer gives some good goodies away so you all should check it out!!

Clean & Simple Challenge (CASSB02)

2009-04-03T20:54:00.003-05:00

Gosh, it has been a long time once again! Well, my friend, Teresa (jtkshaw), mentioned this new "Clean & Simple" sketch challenge that Jennifer Buck is hosting on her blog http://thebuckstampshere.blogspot.com/ and I just happened to have a chance to scrap tonight so I thought I would give it a shot!

I am soo glad that I did the challenge because it was quick and simple. So it didnt take me a whole day to do a layout!! That is right up my alley since I am trying to get back into scrappin'.

This is a great way for me to get back into it!

I just got these pictures back of my sons 10th birthday party so I decided to use one of those pictures. I used all Unity stamps from various kits. I'm soooo in love with those dang Unity stamps! Somethin' about that rubbah! ha! Anyways, the paper is all stampin up except the green. It is Papertrey's New Leaf yummy color! The rub-ons are by Doodlebug. Oh, and the punches and brads are also Stampin Up!.

I have this layout posted over at SCS if you want to view it there too. :)

I'm soo glad that this sketch worked perfectly for an 8x8 page!

Thanks for looking and I hope I'm not too late to enter the contest! Wish me luck!!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-02-01T14:24:00.002-06:00

Gosh, can you even believe it is Feb 1st today??? And Super Bowl Sunday??

I must say I am not really into the whole Super Bowl thing. It is just an excuse for me to have a margarita. LOL! Who darn! Ha! I was asked who I wanted to win and I was torn by this since my nephew, Connor, is such a Steelers fan. I on the other hand am partial to Arizona not only because I was just there on a business trip but also because their mascot is the cardinal and since I am from St. Louis I am a Cardinals fan. Yes, I know that is baseball but still everytime I see that Cardinal it makes me think of St. Louis (home).

Anyways, I HAVE been busy making cards since I am February's Featured Nimbee over at NMBS (no more bad swap) blog. Starting tomorrow that is. :) Please be sure to check out my creations over there. Here is the link. Oh and if KellyJean is reading this, thanks for asking me to participate! I was honored to be asked!

http://nmbswaps.blogspot.com/

Since I want you to view my creations over on the blog I am not going to post them here just yet. okay, well maybe just one. :)

Ahh.....

2008-08-27T13:53:00.004-05:00

My son is FINALLY back in school today! Yippee!!! I must say I am not a stay at home mom but I do get sick of the whole camp thing. Even though my son, Ben, didn't want to admit it I think he was ready to go back to school. When I picked him up today he was so excited about his new teacher and the fact that he knows three kids in his class from the previous years. So glad it was a great first day of third grade for him! I am also happy because I am on vacation this week!!!! I am having stamp camp in Saturday so I have a ton of stampin to do this week. I finally got my new LOOT on Monday and it is all awesomely wonderful!!! I must say that my fave. stamp so far is the new background stamp, Gratuitous Graffiti. I am actually making a card right now using that stamp as my main focus. I need to get going on some swap cards and that is one stamp that I signed up for. I will post it when it is done. It is in "stuck" mode right now. That is the stage where it is almost done but I still feel it needs something else so it is in "stuck" mode, if you will. I know I am a serious loser and need a new life but for now I am in "stuck" mode! LOL! Does anyone else out there do this??? It is a card for pete's sake! Ha! Anyways, I guess I better get back to my table over there. Oh, the mail lady came and I see a box! Not a SU box but it might be my aqua globes I have been waiting for! Does anyone have those? They are the ball things that hold water and you place them in your house plants and that way they constantly have water! Yes a TV ad! Ha! I'll let ya know how they work. My husband wanted me to try them. I always feel like I should post a card when I post something so here is a thank you card that I made recently for my mom, sister and cousin. They took my son to St. Louis (my hometown) with them for a visit. I have alot of family there still so it was good for them to see Ben. Soo I used my new Sarah Kay stamp and some new SU Loot! Those are right up my alley!!! Hey, have you seen the new ones?? I think they are being released today! I know their (Sweet and sassy stamps) release party is on Aug 31st. I have a link to their site on the right. :) Have a great day everyone!

MIA!

2008-08-16T19:14:00.003-05:00

I have been MIA since the new catty came out, let alone we were able to view the new Holiday Mini catty too!!!

I don't know about ya' all but I am on new toy overload!!! Ha! I don't like all this coming out at once because I am not made of money.

I do really like both of the new cattys though. No surprise there though.

Well, enough about all that. Here is a card that I made while Teresa (Jtkshaw) was here. We were able to stamp together and we had alot of fun. She wanted to do this FIRST Verve challenge so I played along too. We had to use Chocolate chip, Pumpkin pie, Old olive, So saffron, and whisper white. What a great color combo, if you ask me.

I borrowed this stamp set from Teresa while she was here since I didn't have it at the time. Notice how I said DIDN'T! I tried to get it from Verve for the longest time and it was sold out. Well, I finally came across it in stock and jumped on it! It is soo fun to play with. In case you aren't familiar with the set it is called, Petals & Stems. It is one set that I love EVERY stamp in it. I love the quality of their stamps too and boy do they ever ship fast to me too. That is always a plus in book!

Anyways, I was glad I made this card because I think it turned out cute enough to make for a swap group I am in so I ended up making 10 of them! TFL!

Hello!

2008-07-29T20:24:00.003-05:00

I am soo bad about updating my blog! I'm just to darn busy with working, being mom, wife, and cleaning etc. But I try to touch base with ya every once in awhile. :)

Anyways, as some of you know already my good friend, Teresa (jtkshaw on SCS), came to visit me!!!

We had such a good time chattin', shoppin' and of course card makin'! We actually got some things done.

Teresa got more done than me since I have to plan it all out and she just whips em out! Ha! WHATEVER!

She made this really cute candy bag using her Scor-Pal! Isn't it super cute? I almost ate one of the candies the other day but I resisted. Ha! it was kind of hard to get a good photo of this but i hope you can see how she stamped the bag! Really cute gift!

I know over on Teresa's blog she posted some photos of the cards she made so check them out!

I haven't actually taken any photos of the ones that I made yet. Once I get my swap cards done I will take some photos of them all at once. :)

Happy Stampin'!!!

NMBS Challenge #6

2008-07-20T10:17:00.002-05:00

Good Sunday mornin' to ya'! Ha!

I got up around 7 because I was anxious to get the challenge posted over at NMBS (no more bad swaps) blog.

You may have heard me mention the swap group before (NMBS) well, this week was my week to host the challenge and I must say I was nervous for a second there. But then I got into it and I had fun!

This is the card I made for the challenge. The challenge is to use a simply scrappin' kit (retired or current). You can only use the papers in the kit and you CAN NOT use any STAMPS! Yikes! You have to have ribbon on your card and one other embellishment. Card can be any size. If you feel like playing along please check out our blog. (link is listed at the right).

I used the "Tie the Knot" Simply Scrappin' Kit!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday! I am off to finish some swap cards! :)

Thanks Dawg!

2008-07-07T13:36:00.004-05:00

OMG how cute is this dog stamp? I got this set from my good friend, Teresa (AKA jtkshaw on SCS) for my birthday! She is just soo sweet like that! :) So, I finally made this card I had in my head. I first thought of the Print Pattern BG and then I realized the East Coast Prep paper! How perfect are they together???

I must say this is the first time I used markers on CLEAR stamps to mask. I wasnt sure how it would work since it didnt seem like the marker was really showing up on the stamp.

If you KWIM? But it worked for the most part.

Here is the card recipe in case you are wondering???

Stamps: Inkadinkado ("dogs" set), Stampin' Up! (print pattern and Ruff day)

Paper: Brillant blue, Bashful blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, East Coast Prep DS (SU)

ink: real red, versamark, basic black

accessories: copic and SU markers, Rhinestone (collar *bling*), gingham ribbon (SU), pop dots

As always TFL!

Finally!

2008-06-29T13:43:00.003-05:00

I FINALLY got around to updating my blog! Not to make excuses but I was having computer problems, yes again, and then we have had days without power so that doesn't help either.

Anyways, there has been soo much going on that I am not going to bore you with the details but I will fill you in on the fact that the swap group I am in, NMBS (No More Bad Swaps), has their our blog now!!! See the link to the right! Thanks to my dear friend, Teresa, who got it all set up and going for us! She is soo good with it too!

So on our blog we offer a different CHALLENGE every Sunday! Whether you are part of our group of not you can post your "challenge creations" on our blog! How fun is that???

Each week, a different member of our group will host the "challenge". So be sure to check it out and I would love to see your creations!!!

This week is our third week. I have been good so far and have done the first two weeks challenges! My husband is getting ready to go fishing and my son is playing with a neighbor so I just might have time to do the this weeks challenge! Yippee!

Okay so here is the NMBS #1 Challenge card that I did. The hostess was Teresa and the challenge is to use black and white with one accent color. You also had to use a flower stamp and bling! I must say no surprise there, knowing Teresa because she loves flowers and owns ALOT of flower stamps! Ha!

For my card I used the following: (all SU except rhinestone bling)

Stamps: Live your dream

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Regal Rose, DS Flowers for you

Ink : Regal Rose around the edges

Accessories: Regal Rose and Old Olive markers, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Rhinestones, sponge daubers

NMBS Challenge #2

2008-06-29T13:15:00.000-05:00

For the 2nd challenge, Vonda, was the hostess and she asked us to make a card using a Summertime theme! You also had to use a RETIRED stamp set along with a bold bright color!

This challenge was right up my alley since I have a son I use the bold colors alot and I LOVE summertime!

When I first read this challenge this set came to mind (Time For Fun). It was so fun to dig it out of the closet and use it again!

For this card I used the following:

Stamps: Time for Fun (retired)

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Brillant Blue, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Jersey Shore DS paper pack

Access: Blue ric rac ribbon (now sure where the heck i got it), copic markers, watercolor crayons, bashful blue brads

Thanks for looking! Off to work on the Third Challenge!!

Happy belated Mother's Day!

2008-05-13T21:48:00.005-05:00

I was really trying to get on here yesterday and say a quick hello and Happy Mother's Day to you all out there but it just didn't happen so Happy belated Mother's Day!

Since I am new to this whole "blog" thing I guess I should say that I am a mother myself. I have one boy, Ben, who is 9 years old. :)

Even though the weather wasn't nice here, in Chicago, it was still a nice day being mothers day and all. I was disappointed though that I didn't see my mom.

I think the last two years actually I didnt see my mom on mothers day because my husband, son and I just have spent the day together.

Don't get me wrong it was a great day but it isn't the same to me I guess when I don't see my mom.

So now I know what I am doing next year. :) Especially because she lives only an hour away. It could be further, right?

Anyways, I feel better sharing that with you all. LOL.

I did get to spend some time taking some photos of some cards I have done recently, and yes, they are for swaps. I do a ton of swaps in case you didnt know that about me. I love them because it makes me use my collection of goodies if you KWIM?

First, I would like to share this card with you. My mom actually sent me this card from my wedding anniversary! Isn't it just the cutest?? I sure do love that Cuttlebug! How cute is the scallop edge on this card too?

My parents even sent us money to go out to dinner!! Wasn't that sweet? They are the best!

Copics!

2008-05-13T21:00:00.001-05:00

This is the first card I made using my new Copic markers! Isn't this bird just so cute?

You will also learn about me that I LOVE cutesy stamps! Especially this clear Hero Arts set (Cheery Bird).

The paper is River Rock and the Blue Bayou DS pattern paper. And of course the ribbon is Chocolate Chip 5/8 grosgrain by no other than the famous, Stampin' Up!

As mentioned earlier I used copics to color with (still playing with the technique). I also used my circle punches as you can see. :)

I think I am going through another "phase" in my stamping addiction. I am in love with bird, OWL, and dog stamps lately! Oh and these cute 4.25 sized cards.

Does anyone else out that go through "phases" like me? Cause Lord knows I don't need another freakin' stamp! LOL!

Ok, I must get to bed since I have to get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow! Plus I have to get back to my Nora Roberts book. :)

Good Night!

Welcome!

2008-05-10T13:38:00.000-05:00

Wow! I finally got my blog up and running! There are still alot of things I want to add to it but I really just wanted to get it going so here it is. Ha! I never really thought I would ever have a blog but then the more I started reading them I saw more reasons why I SHOULD have one! Since I work and I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am not sure how often I will be able to update my blog but I will do my best. I know, I know, get to the cards already right? This card was inspired from Beate's card (splitcoaststampers). This is also one of her Weekend Sketch challenges. If you are familar with them you need to check out her blog for amazing inspiration!!! Her blog link is to the right of this page. I wish I would of had my Copic markers when I did this card because I would of gotten a much better color on the rocket but I still think it is a great boy birthday card! All the supplies on this card are Stampin' Up! The stamp set is PUN FUN (one of my faves), I used Brilliant blue, Bashful blue, Whisper white, and Jersey Shore DS paper. I used basic black ink, watercolor crayons, chalk, gel pen, scallop punch, tab punch, circle punches, bashful blue buttons, and DMC floss (not SU). I think that about covers it. I have been doing alot of this card size lately. It is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. I have been doing a dog album also using an 8x8 album size and I am really liking that smaller size too. It is not so overwhelming for me as it was for me when I was doing 12x12 layouts!

Happy Friday!

2008-05-09T17:29:00.009-05:00

Yippee! It is finally Friday! It has been a super long week for me! I work for an Orthodontist and my boss broke his leg while he was on vacation! Since he is off work we have had a different doctor come in to help everyday. If anyone else out there works with doctors you know how different they all can be. I wish they all used the same instruments etc. They were all really nice just a different week for sure. I am glad that I am in the mood to stamp too. I hope to get some cards done for a group of gals that I swap with every month. Okay like I said earlier I love to scrap in the 8x8 size and thought that was a good size to use for our dog's (Maggie) album. I only have two pages done so far but here they are.

I just love this photo of our son, Ben, hugging Maggie, our dog. This was taken at Christmas time (2007). The papers, arrow, blue ribbon, and journal pocket are all Cosmo Cricket. Great for boy pages (IMO). The buttons, and red ribbon are Stampin' Up!

This photo didn't turn out like I wanted and I tried several times. Anyways, on the ribbon is used rubons that say Maggie and the date. This picture was taken last April when we first got her. You will really get sick of hearing me talk about her. Ha!