Flagged my blog, can you believe it???

:D Blogger's spam-prevention robots flagged my blog as a possible spam blog. What the heck IS a spam blog, anyway?!?!?!?

So, I'm going to go ahead and get this post ready to go out as soon as they've reviewed my request to be UN-flagged. Silly. :) Edit: I've been RELEASED! :D Or you wouldn't be reading this.... ;)

Here's another watercoloring sample I did the other day. Again, it's using my Stampin' Write markers. It's an unusual color choice for me, but I really do like it. The bacground is Cameo Coral, and the mat is Not Quite Navy. Using SUMMER BY THE SEA - one of my all-time favorite sets!!! :) It's also stamped on watercolor paper. I really like working with this medium! With aqua painters and my set of markers, I can color almost ANYTHING! :) Look out, world!!!

OK, I'm off - Kenn and I are taking off this weekend, so I need to pack! I'm taking some stampin' stuff with me - I hope YOU are taking the time to stamp something, too! :)

Good morning!

How are you doing today? Have you been stamping?? It's been crazy around here - I'm trying not to be too depressed that I'm not at Stampin' Up!'s convention this week. Yesterday was difficult, but today's been good. :)

ANYWAY. I want to share another 6x6 s-page layout with you that we did this month for the Scrapbooking Class. Here it is!

It's monochromatic on purpose. :D I really love this stamp set - PEACEFUL WISHES - and it's going away. So, I wanted to use it one more time! It's really supposed to be a Christmas set, but I love the pine bough and cone for masculine cards, etc. So here we stamped it on Creamy Caramel card stock with Creamy Caramel classic ink. We corner-rounded the mats, and sponged the edges with Creamy Caramel. :D Then, we punched out an oval and put it behind the frame from the antique brass hodgepodge hardware, which isn't available anymore - but I know there are two NEW sets of HPH in the new book!! :D

I wish I could show and tell, but it's only ELEVEN MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm getting ready for my open house on the 11th, from 5-8. I really hope you're planning to come if you're in the area - you'll get to stamp with new stamps, see the new IN COLORS, and pick up your new Idea Book & Catalog!!!!! I SO CANNOT WAIT - it's gonna be AWESOME. Oh, and I'll have all-new samples up in the Inspiration Station, too! You won't want to miss it!

So, while we're all waiting for the new book, take the time to STAMP something! :D Then go bless someone with your beautiful project!

Good Monday Morning!!!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun??? I'm telling you, I cannot WAIT to be able to share the new products with you on August 11!!!!! Because I'm a rule-abider, and the LAST thing I'd want is for Stampin' Up! to pull my demonstratorship, I'm not going to be showing you ANYTHING from the new Idea Book & Catalog until then because they've told us not to. :) But TRUST ME, you'll LOVE the new products - the new accessories are BANGIN'! :D

So, anyway. On to something I CAN share with you! :D Here's another card from the last Advanced Techniques class:

This is called a wiper card. My friend Becky showed me the first time I saw one in person, and I found a tutorial HERE. Let em tell you, Jan is an INCREDIBLE stamper, and has LOTS of techniques and tutorials! Tell her I sent you!!!!!!!!

:)

Anyway. Here's why it's called a wiper card; when you pull the ends flat, it looks like this!

Colors we used were Purely Pomegranate - GOING AWAY AUGUST 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Basic Black, and Whisper White. The tree stamp and the leaf stamp are from LOVELY AS A TREE - I love that set, so versatile! - and the saying from SUMMER BY THE SEA, NOT retired! :D

So, I'm off to blog on my other sites, and to get everything finished for my CHRISTMAS IN JULY stamp camp tomorrow night. :)

Have a WONDERFUL day, my friend - and for pete's sake, take the time to STAMP something!!!

Black magic!

That's the name of this technique. :) We did this at the last Advanced Techniques class, and it was a hit! :)

First, you stamp a solid stamp onto Basic Black card stock - this is from BUD BASICS, which is retiring!!!!!!!!!!! - with white craft ink, and let dry.

Next, take your METALLIC ART PENCILS - which are also going away!!!!!!!!! - and color the center of each petal. Any color(s), whatever you feel like.

Next, take your aqua painter and pick up some white craft ink on the tip. Choose ONE side of the petal, and put down ink from the bottom of the petal to the tip - being sure to cover some of the metallic pencil, so it does a little more shading. Let dry.

The final step: take your white gel pen, and outline that side of the petal you just swiped with the white ink.

Let me know if you try this out! :) You ARE taking the time to STAMP something, aren't you? :)

No, I haven't vanished from the earth! :)

LOTS of personal business going on that's affected every area of my life, and I apologize for not posting here for a VERY long time. But here I am, and I KNOW you want to know who won the People's Choice for the Annual Birthday Challenge!!!!! (Better late than never, right???)

And the winner is...

DEB LEHIGH!

Thanks, Deb, for sending in your entry!!!! I'll be sending out your prize by Monday - and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I'll be back with another post soon, another sample to delight and cheer you - and hopefully inspire YOU to take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Just a quick post today....

Life is CRAZY here, so I'm just going to post this quickly and try to get back to normal either tomorrow or Friday.

This is a card we've done this month at my workshops, to say goodbye to the stamp set and the colors.

It's done using CARTE POSTALE only, which is retiring. The colors are Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi, which are both retiring as well. We stamped the medallion on Whisper White and punched it out, then matted it on Wild Wasabi and then onto Basic Black. We used dimensionals to put that onto another square or Wild Wasabi, and adhered that to the front of the card.

What are YOU stamping today??? You ARE taking the time to STAMP something, aren't you??? :)

The ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE READER'S CHOICE WINNER...

has been notified! :D When I hear back from her, I'll let you all know what the decisions are!

In the meantime, here's a sample for you!

This was from our Quick & Easy Card Class Monday. We used the Round Tab Punch and Bali Breeze DSP for the purses, brushed gold card stock for the handles with both size Oval Punches. The stamps are from CELEBRATE EVERYTHING. Colors are Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, and Regal Rose.

The latch on the center purse is from the Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, which is RETIRING this year - all the finishes in the Idea Book & Catalog are!! You can GO HERE to learn more about it, and email me at poohisstampin@aol.com to place your order!

My sister and BIL will be in town this weekend, so I'm not promising I'll be posting for a few days. :) In the meantime, be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!

I've started a new blog!

If you like my photography, I hope you'll check out Heavenbound With A Lens. It's just for my photos - with maybe an applicable quote thrown in for good measure. :)
I hope you'll check it out! Let me know what you think!

Onesie Card Tutorial

As promised, here it is! :D EDITED: I was told by a friend tonight - THANK YOU, Lisa! - that this had been done as a tutorial by someone else. HERE is the link to the original tutorial by Lauren.

What you will need:



Card stock, your choice of color (I use Apricot Appeal), 4 1/4" x 11"; Extra card stock (I use Sage Shadow) in a contrasting color; 1-3/8" Circle Punch; Scallop Circle Punch; assorted stamps and inks, Paper Snips, Crop-A-Dile, three eyelets


Fold your card stock in half, folding at 5-1/2". Use a bone folder for a crisp fold! :)

Next, stamp your card stock with whatever stamp(s) you've chosen. For this example, I'm using Boho Backgrounds. (It's a great set, because it can be used for a boy OR a girl!) I'm also using Apricot Appeal ink, to coordinate with my card stock.




After you've stamped the whole card front, grab your 1-3/8" circle punch.

If you want, you can measure the exact center of the top of your card. I guesstimate. :D Punch out a HALF-CIRCLE, centering the fold in the middle.








Now, turn your card. You're going to do the same thing approximately 1 inch down from the top on both sides - you're making the arm holes. :)



Now, go to the bottom corners and punch out about a 3/4 circle - see the picture here? You just want to take the leg holes out.





When you're done with the circle punch, your card should look like this:










(PLEASE, feel free to practice your punching on scraps or even copy paper! :) It's not difficult, unless you really care about being even. I find that the next few steps really make mistakes disappear, but it's completely up to you!)














Now, using the same punch, punch a hole into your coordinating card stock. :D Be sure to leave enough space around it for the next step!










Pick up your scallop circle punch. Center that hole in the scallop circle, and punch out your shape.

It should look something like this!









Now, using your adhesive - a 2 way glue pen works GREAT for this! - attach part of it around the neck hole you punched.










See? It's easy! Just some steps to follow - and we're almost there now! :D








Using your paper snips, cut off the part of the scallop that's not attached to the card. Now, repeat on all the openings you punched. Please note! You MAY need to use your paper snips to trim a bit of the leg punch area. Don't be afraid to do so! :) Paper snips are your FRIENDS. :D




Your card should look something like this now. :)










Now, grab those paper snips again; your baby needs a waist! :D




Just angle up to about 1/4 inch below the arm holes, and cut straight in from the side about 1/2 inch. Like this, see?


Now, your card should be looking like this!







Cute, huh? :)











All that's left is to stamp any greeting you want on the inside, and set three eyelets into the bottom of the onesie.







And THIS is what your final card will look like!!!

Isn't that fun? And an EASY card!!!! If you have any questions, want to see a SCAN rather than a pic - it was a late night, can you tell? :D - please email me at poohisstampin@aol.com. I want to hear from you!

If you need any of these supplies, email me. I can't wait to hear from you!

Quick share on a Monday afternoon.... :)

Hi, dear friend! I'm just dropping in for a quick second - today is a class day, AND I had an eye appointment, so time is precious. I just couldn't leave you hanging today. :D

So, a quick share - and I shot the photos for a tutorial, so I'll be sharing that this week SOMEtime. I'm slammed this week, so don't be mad at me if it's not TOMORROW.... :D

THIS IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE ON YOUR FAVORITE ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE ENTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So. This and the next are the last two samples from the last Scrapbooking class. I really like both of them - and they're super-simple!

Chocolate Chip card stock with Chocolate Chip ink, using the SO SWIRLY jumbo wheel. We used Basic Black to cut ovals with the Coluzzle, and the small oval punch to punch from Creamy Caramel, and put that behind a Hodgepodge Hardware oval - and the HH ovals are on special right now! CLICK HERE to see the special!!! (just scroll down a bit....)

Isn't that a great heritage look???

And my favorite of all!!!

We used Bordering Blue cardstock, and dragged white craft ink in ONE direction, not trying to get any specific coverage, just coloring the card stock. Then, we drew lines and put in nail heads with our White Gel Pen. But first, we masked off the area we were going to put the two images - both from WINDS OF GRACE. We made sure not to draw through the masking, too!

Then, we stamped the images using Versamark, and put color on with Pastels. Oh, so simple, but so peaceful and beautiful!! :)

Leave me a comment! Let me know what you're up to! And the next post, hopefully, will be announcing the winner of the ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE! :)

Oh, and for pete's sake, take the time to STAMP something! :D

Wow, three days in a ROW! :D

You might get used to this! LOL!!!

I wanted to show you this card today. I did it last night, thinking I'd use it for my workshops this month. I absolutely LOVE it - I think it looks like something you'd find in a card store! :D - but it's really detailed, and NOTHING on it's retiring. I'd rather we use the stamps that are leaving forever, so YOU get to see it NOW. :D

I told you I loved this new way of watercoloring! :D

Paper is watercolor paper, Basic Black and Kraft card stocks. I sponged the Kraft with some Close to Cocoa ink, just to give it a bit of texture and depth. That's Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon just tied in a knot around the card.

The stamps are from two different sets; the woman in the boat is from SUMMER BY THE SEA, which is NOT retired but IS on the current Dormant List, so it's STILL AVAILABLE!!!!!!!! :D The saying is from WINDS OF GRACE, a great masculine set - but I really like this saying here. So, here it is. :D

I used black Stazon for both stamps, then drenched each area I worked on with my Aqua Painters before putting down some color from my Stampin' Write Markers. Blotting was important! :D Also, a lot of the color dried really light - not a bad thing, just letting you know for YOUR projects! :D

I'd love to hear what you think about this card - you have all fallen quiet on me, and I feel like I'm talking into cyberspace again! :D

PLEASE don't forget to vote on the ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE CARD! If you did it before the 1st, please go look again - I had forgotten one that's really worthy of your consideration, too!!!!!!!

OK, I'm off to get back to work. :D Have a WONDERFUL, BLESSED day - and don't forget to take the time to STAMP something - then bless someone with it! :D

Happy Wednesday!

Good Wednesday, dear friend! How are you today? Surprised to see me again so soon? :D Well, my dear friend Becky taught me how to pre-post, so I thought, while I had a few moments Tuesday evening, I'd get another couple of samples all set up for you! :D

PLEASE, PLEASE GO VOTE! I'll leave them up until JULY 7!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK. Today I have two samples from the last Scrapbooking Class, in June. The first one used Summer Picnic DSP and the TART & TANGY stamp set, both of which were only available in the Occasions Mini that just ended. But you could use any of the DSP and coordinating stamp sets Stampin' Up! has! :)



We used punches to make the apple, and the colors of card stock are Sahara Sand (ink, too!), Whisper White, Real Red, Close to Cocoa (for the stem), and Glorious Green. Isn't it cute????

Here's another one; this one is completely made with the Summer Days Simply Scrappin' Kit, available until AUGUST 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you like it, check it out online (page 175) - these are colors I would never have chosen to go together, but I LOVE them in this kit!

We used the self-adhesive die cuts for the flower, three stacked on top of each other. Then, we used the Embossing Buddy to cover the adhesive on the back of the flower, so it wouldn't stick where we didn't want it to. :) It's stacked on top of two dimensionals, so that photos can slide underneath it.

Isn't it CUTE? Doesn't it make you want to come to a scrapbooking class? CLICK HERE to check out my class schedule - it's not too late to register for an upcoming class!

OK, I'm outta here - Kenn's waiting for me. :) But there's a whole lotta stampin' goin' on around here - are YOU taking time to stamp something??????????????? ;)

Good Tuesday evening! :)

Where DOES the time go?!?!? SO MUCH is going on right now - Stampin' Up! is gearing up to release the new Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog in August, so the Retirement List is out - some great stamp sets are saying goodbye, just like usual. :) But the demonstrators got to have a sneak peek of the new IB&C today - and there are some REALLY fun things, and they ALWAYS save the best for the big book! :)

If you'd like to see the Retired List, go HERE.

Be SURE to sit down with it and your current Spring/Summer book - if you don't have a hard copy, you can find an online one HERE. :) There's also an online Dormant List - these are sets that aren't in the current book, but are still available (at least until August 10, if they're on the Dormant List!). Go HERE to see the Dormant List online!

And NOW, Stampin' Up!® is giving you a discount on a product they're going to be discontinuing. It's the Hodgepodge Hardware that's in the current IB&C, page 188 - and you can look HERE and slide the page finder to 188. :) Don't forget that there's a magnifier at the top, so you can click and drag it to see things better!

SO. :D Have you gone to vote for a card for the ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE???? Go HERE to do that!!!!! Because I messed up and didn't put all of them up at the same time, I'm going to allow voting until JULY 6!!!

Now, then. Here's a sample for you from the eScape, the other one I promised you. :)

Oh, wait, you say! You don't recognize that stamp set - or those NOTES?!?!?!? It was a SNEAK PEEK for JUNE ONLY! That's FRESH CUT, to be out in the Fall/Winter IB&C. It's going to retail for $21.95. The notes? Yeah, they're going to be in there, too. :) They are 4" square, and come with envelopes. They're laser cut. I copied this design from a fellow demo - but loved the mix so much, I did it in LOTS of different colors. :) We did the Tempting Turquoise one for the eScape get-together. That's a Pretties Kit half-pearl, white, in the center. ALL the stamps are from the new set. Now, aren't you sorry you didn't come? :D

Keep your eyes open! :) When I tell you something's new, fresh, exciting - I MEAN IT! :D

Enjoy your evening, dear friend. And for PETE'S sake, take the time to STAMP something!!!