Take Time

Sometimes we just need to take time to think about things and enjoy the simple things in life. I have been doing alot of that lately. I have had a great summer with my family and summer is going by too fast for me. I have also been trying to decide which direction to go when it comes to starting my own business. I am taking time to do that because I want to make sure that it's the right one. My husband has been very supportive and helping me to see all sides. I have loved my time with Close To My Heart but it seems tough at times to make it work. I am my own best customer. The decision to stay or go is still up in the air.

Anyhoo....on to this card I made. I made a similar one at my friend Jenn's house. I changed the image and addded the spiral punch to the right side of the cardstock. I added a piece of white cardstock to show off the spiral pinch. In this case, I used stamps from CTMH & SU. THe flower background is SU and the flower and saying is from CTMH. I also used the Crop-A-Dile to put the eyelets in. I still haven't figured out how to use mine. I always seem to break the eyelet..hmmm maybe I am pressing too hard because I haven't figured out the setting. I'll have to work on that.

Happy Bird-Day

I couldn't sleep in this morning so I got up around 6:20 am. Sometimes there are just noises that just keeps me up. I usually sleep in when my kiddos are not in school. They don't start back until after Labor Day. I love it when they are home. We get to do whatever and not have to worry about time. Summer is just going by too fast for me:(
Since I couldn't sleep in, I decided to make another Cuttlebug card to share with you. On this card, I used SU's Whisper White cardstock for the base, CTMH's Sunny Yellow for the 1st layer, Dutch Blue for the second layer. I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Happy Birthday embossing folder. For the cute birdie, I used watercolor paper and stamped it with Jet Black Staz-on, and colored it in with CTMH's watercolor pencils in Sunflower and Dutch Blue. I blended the colors by using CTMH's waterbrush. I punched out the birdie with Marvy Uchida's square scallop punch I bought at Michael's. The stitched ribbon is also from Michael's.

Wild Thing Card

I received this set from CTMH a while ago and just wanted to use it. This set would be perfect for children's cards with other sentiments to replace wild thing. I don't think Wild Thing would be something a kid or mom would approve on the card, but then you never know. I used some old background paper I had laying around and a Whale punch to use for the corner accents.

Celebrate the Season

I made this card for SCS's Limited Supply challenge. The challenge was to make a card using a snowman theme. This little guy is retired from CTMH. I stamped him with stazon ink and used markers to color in the details. I also used Liquid Applique on his hat to give it a snowy effect.

Faux Alligator Card

I made this card last night at my friend Jenn's house. The technique we used is faux alligator. The stamp set is from Stampin' Up. I don't know what it's called since I don't have this stamp. I'll look it up when I get a chance. I am going to walk you through without pictures. It's really easy. Directions are below:



Supplies:

Brayer
White cardstock
Ink of your choice
Embossing stylus or bone folder
Clear embossing powder
Versamark
Craft Tray
Heat gun

1. Take your brayer and ink, roll your brayer in the ink to ink it up really well. Brayer the white cardstock till you like how the color looks.

2. Take your versamark and cover the brayered cardstock with it completely. Place the cardstock in the craft tray. Cover the brayered side with clear embossing powder. Take your bone folder and pull lines to resemble alligator skin. Shake off excess, do not wipe.

3. Take your heat gun and heat the embossing powder till clear and shiny. That's it.

Stamps For Sale

All stamps are new or gently used. I will hold stamps for 24 hours. Shipping is $1.75 for the first set and $.50 each additional set. Please e-mail me at: sarah1395ATyahooDOTcom. Thanks!

$6.00 Sets

A1014 Winter Woodcuts -used

A1031 Spooky Blocks - used

A1004 Summer Harvest - used

A1084 Sweet Flowers - used

A1042 Live Life Well - new


Sans Alphabets & Numbers - used, missing 1 r (old packaging)

$7.00 Sets

B1216 Sunshine Thoughts - new

B1062 Party Blocks - used

B1033 Blossom Blocks - looks new


$8.00 Sets

B1185 Bottle Caps - new B1280 Best of Times - used

B1221 Little License -used

B1215 Life Is - used

B1187 Holly Berries -used

B1186 Ho, Ho, Ho! - used

B1182 Let It Snow - used


$9.00 Sets

C1147 Special Occasions Super Set - used, "Happy Hearts Day" is missing

B1242 Solo R - used

B1228 Solo B - used

C1213 Punkin Carving - used

D1084 Love Tag -used

C1201 Spirit of 76 - used


$12- $14 Sets

D1012 Confetti and Favors - used, "happy birthday" cut into 2 pieces $12
D1085 Happy Easter - used $12

D1156 A Little Bee - used envelope flap is ripped $12

D1027 Joy - used $12 pending

D1032 Fall - used $12 pending

D1140 Miracle - used $12

D1220 Typewriter Keys - used $14

D1134 Elegant Script -used $14

D1218 Summertime - new $14

D1115 Princess - used $15

Get Well Card

I have been meaning to make a card for Sheetload's sketch challenge. Head on over to see the rules and enter the challenge. They've got great prizes to give away. I pulled out this stamp set called Raccoon & Friends from CTMH that I haven't used in a long time. It's an adorable stamp set and it's set to retire the end of the year. I made my own background with the two side panels and pulled out some old patterned paper I need to use up. The sentiment is from CTMH's past stamp of the month called Say It In Style. This set has so many versatile sayings I am sure they will put it in next years Idea Book. The background stamps are from June's stamp of the month called With Love, that's another really pretty set.


Kim

Children's Layouts

I have been so sick the last few days it just seems so boring not being able to do anything. I kept telling my children to stay away from me because it's not fun whatever it is that's ailing me. I went out yesterday for some fresh air and I don't think I should have because today, I feel worse than ever. I made these layouts a few weeks ago but wasn't able to take a picture of them because my camera went haywire on me. It just wouldn't focus. Last night I read up on the manual and started messing around with the settings so now it's working great!! I meant to work

on these layouts a long time ago. My babies are not this little anymore. The youngest is now eight. I was just having a bad day because my children kept picking on each other and wouldn't stop. I had hubby take them all with him while I calm down. Sitting and working on these layouts made me feel so much better.

This layout is a picture of my 11 year old. This was taken as part of a collage for the silent auction at her school. Parents were able to purchase one pose and this is the one I chose. The collage of the class sold for over $400.




This silhouette of my 3 children was done at least 7 years ago. We used to go the Bates Nut Farm at Valley Center for their annual fall festival to let our kids play in the pumpkin patch and pick out their own pumpkin. They have various vendors there and fun and games to keep the kids happy. We decided to have the kids' silhouettes done together and the lady matted them on this white paper. We haven't been to Valley Center in 2-3 years since our kids are older now and not much for them to do up there.