Fireflies and Flutterbyes

100,000 Hits Blog Candy

OK, OK...I know I'm a day late in announcing my blog candy.  I got busier than expected yesterday and today was no better.  But enough about me....now on to the goods! 

In honor of my blog recently passing the 100,000 hit mark, I'm giving away some blog candy to reward my faithful readers!  I'm offering two blog candy packages.  You have until midnight next Saturday, July 17th to enter.  I'll announce the winners on Sunday,   Here's how you can win..... 

Subscribe to my blog! - enter you email address in the subscription box of my sidebar.  Those who are already subscribed are automatically entered, including those who subscribe via Google Reader.   The winner will receive the following items:

• 36 sheets of 12x12 retired Stampin' Up! designer paper.  The papers, shown below, are from many different paper packs.  Some are double-sided and some are not.
• 1 sheet of die-cut tags & gable box in So Saffron
• 1 sheet of die-cut adhesive cardstock from the retired Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit
• 1 yard each of our new In Color polka-dot grosgrain ribbon (bermuda bay, melon mambo, dusty durango, rich razzleberry, crushed curry, soft seude) 

 

Tell the world! - There are so many blogs out there now and I'd like you to help me get the word out about mine.  You will get one entry in this contaest for each method of linking.  Make sure you link directly to this post.  Once you link, be sure to leave a comment on this post with the links to your posts.  Ways to be entered: 

• Post an entry about my blog candy contest on your blog.
• Post a tweet about my blog candy contest on Twitter.

The winner will receive my July Scrappin' Whimsy Kit:

 

For details on what's in the kit, click here.  Be sure to check out my blog each month for a new Scrappin' Whimsy Kit! 

JCIC #44: For You Flowers

I finally got a chance to play Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge.  This week's colors were very earthy and so I choose a floral stamp set.  The flowers from our new Kind & Caring Thoughts hostess stamp set are so pretty.   

 

For the card layout, I used SCS's Clean and Simple Cards challenge #22. This week's challenge was to create a clean and simple birthday card.  So, here's my card...

 

Stamp sets: teeny tiny wishes, kind & caring thoughts; Inks: perfect plum, really rust, more mustard; Cardstock: perfect plum, really rust, more mustard, very vanilla; Embellishment: very vanilla 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; Tools: word window punch

You can purchase these products from me online at my Stampin' Up! webstore (click Shop Now):

Product	Item #	Price
Very vanilla ¼” grosgrain ribbon	109026	$4.95
Word window punch	105090	$15.95
Teeny tiny wishes stamp set	115370	$36.95

Fishin' Friends are the Best Friends 12x12 - Pg 2

Here is the 2nd page that goes with my scrapbook page from yesterday.  

Look for some BLOG CANDY here on my blog tomorrow in honor of my 100,000 hits.  I'll be picking 2 winners!

 

Stamp sets: abc lower alphabet, so swirly wheel; Inks: baja breeze, garden green; Cardstock: baja breeze, garden green, basic gray, whisper white, baja breeze patterns DSP; Embellishments: vintage brads; Tools: stampin' around jumbo handle, cutter tool

Fishin' Friends are the Best Friends 12x12 - Pg 1

This is the 2nd page my scrapbookers did at Stamp Club last month.  It features several retired products as I was trying to showcase them before the end of the catalog.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for the 2nd page that goes with this layout (though my club members only did this page, I built mine up to a 2nd page layout).  We created the wavy water-like edge on the bottom of the page by freehanding it with the cutter tool.  Then we wheeled it with the So Swirly jumbo wheel to mimic waves.  You'll also notice the basic gray frame around the "F" embellishment.  This was created with the Circle Scissors Plus.

Sorry for the lack of posts with new products.  I've been busy getting my Edward fix by re-reading the Twilight series!  I'm sure most of you understand!  {wink}  Look for some new stuff soon.

On a side note, my hit counter has passed 100,000 so I'll be celebrating with some BLOG CANDY!  Look for it in the next day or two.

 

Stamp sets: abc lower alphabet, big deal alphabet, so swirly wheel; Inks: baja breeze, garden green; Cardstock: baja breeze, garden green, basic gray, whisper white, baja breeze patterns DSP; Embellishments: vintage brads, whisper white 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; Tools: circle scissors plus, glass mat, stampin' around jumbo handle, cutter tool

Win a Big Shot Die Pack at Stampin' Addicts

Stampin’ Up! just released the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and it’s loaded with new products that every stamper must have. As part of the summer celebration Stampin' Addicts is holding a blog contest during the month of July giving away a Big Shot die pack made up of 5 new exclusive Stampin’ Up! dies.

• Stampin’ Up! Thanks (Embosslits)
• Stampin’ Up! Final Press (Embossing Folders)
• Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details (Textured Plates)
• Stampin’ Up! Two Tags (Bigz Dies)
• Stampin’ Up! Fancy Favor (Bigz XL Dies)

Stampin' Addicts has tons of ideas using the Stampin’ Up! Big Shot and is giving away a Big Shot Die Pack as part of the Stampin’ Up! summer celebration. To enter, all you have to do is write about it. This is my entry. Now give me my dies!

June Stamp Club Card #3: Absolutely Fabulous Criss Cross

Our third and final card for the cardmakers in my June stamp club was this fun & fabulous Criss Cross card.  We used the now retired Absolutely Fabulous and Stitched Exotic stamp sets and Candy Lane designer series paper as well as the pink pirouette & riding hood red In Colors.  For a tutorial on how to make your own criss cross card, click here.

 

Stamp sets: absolutely fabulous, stitched exotics; Inks: close to cocoa, riding hood red; Cardstock: close to cocoa, riding hood red, pink pirouette, very vanilla, candy lane DSP; Embellishment: vanilla halfback pearl (from Pretties Kit); Tools: round tab punch, paper snips; Other: sticky strip

Deal of the Week #2 + A Deal Sweetener From Me

Deal of the Week: Big Shot Doctor's Bag

You'll feel like a big shot carrying around the Big Shot Doctor's Bag!  July 6-12 only, get the Big Shot Doctor's Bag for $49.99.  That's 30% off the regular price of $69.95!

Throughout July, be sure to check my blog every Monday for the week's new deal.

**Tara's Deal Sweetener: purchase the Big Shot Doctor's Bag from me this week and I'll give you a FREE single Sizzlet die ($4.95 to $5.50 value).  Choose from 12 different dies (see pg 196 of our Idea Book & Catalog for images).  Orders must be placed with me via email by noon on July 11th to qualify.  U.S. customers only!

June Stamp Club Card #2: For You Card

This is the 2nd project the card-makers did in stamp club last month.  We used the now-retired Walk in the Park designer paper and Say it With Scallop stamp set.  The remaining products are all current. 

Whimsical Tip: The large oval punch is not wide enough to fit behind the scallop square punch....we simply cut our oval in half on the longest side and adhered one to the back of each side of the scallop.

Note: the scallop edge punch is on sale through the end of the day for just $10.99.....regularly $15.95.  You can order it online at my Stampin' Up! webstore (click Shop Now and then search for scallop edge punch or enter Item #112091).  Remember that if you place an order with me in July, you'll automatically be entered in the drawing for my FREE Stamp Set Give-Away!!

Be sure to check back here tomorrow for the next Deal of the Week!

 

Stamp Set: say it with scallops; Inks: regal rose; Cardstock: regal rose, basic gray, whisper white, walk in the park DSP; Embellishments: silver brads; Tools: scallop square punch, scallop edge punch, large oval punch

Stamp Club Page #1: Love Bug 12x12

Here's one of the 12x12 pages that my scrapbookers did in Stamp Club last month.  We used images from the retired hostess stamp set Darling Dots create a patterned background paper using several colors of ink.  The title was created 2 ways: "Love" was die-cut with our Naturally Serif Sizzlet Decorative Strip die in the Big Shot (I let everyone cut a full strip so they could use it to make their own title & take the extras home for future pages) and "Bug" was stamped with our retired Big Deal alphabet.  I used tag punches to create a cute little tag for the corner of the page to offset the upper photos.  Two styles of ribbon & some journaling completed the page. 

Whimsical Tip: When you don't have patterned paper handy that coordinates with your scrapbook page, use stamps to create your own patterned paper in the style & colors you need. 

 

Stamp set: darling dots; Inks: kiwi kiss, tangerine tango, riding hood red; Cardstock: riding hood red, tangerine tango, kiwi kiss, whisper white; Embellishments: pumpkin pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, tangerine tango 1/2" double-striped ribbon, staple; Tools: tag punch, small tag punch, big shot, naturally serif sizzlet decorative strip die, decorative strip spacer platform, decorative strip cutting pads

New Catalog & July Stampin' News!

I'm so excited that the new catalog is now here.  It's packed full of great new stamp sets, beautiful new In Color products, and fun embellishments.  I dare say it's one of my favorite catalogs yet! 

With the new Stampin' Up! year, there are several new catalogs to introduce and plenty of announcements to make so I thought I would summarize them here.  Click on the buttons in my left sidebar if you need more information on a particular topic or contact me by email and I'd be happy to answer your questions:

Catalogs

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog - the new catalog is in effect for a full year now (July 2009-June 2010).  If you would like the supply list for the samples shown in the catalog, download the catalog supply list PDF document. 

Definitely Decorative Catalog - this is the new name for our Decor Elements decorative, vinyl rub-ons for walls, mirrors, windows, frames, & much more!  New styles and colors....something for every room in your house!

Celebrando Creatividad Catalog - this smaller catalog features Spanish-language stamp sets & other products.  If you would like the supply list for the samples shown in the catalog, download the catalog supply list PDF document.

Dormant List - Stampin' Up! has also announced the Dormant List.  Stamp sets on this list are not featured in any of the catalogs, but they are still available for purchase.

Summer Fun Promotion

Mini Starter Kit - join Stampin' Up! with this cool mini Starter Kit, featuring In Color products & a new stamp set, for just $85 during the month of July.  Click the button in my sidebar to see the products included in the kit.  With the start of several new catalogs and a low-priced starter kit, now is a great time to join Stampin' Up! 

Deal of the Week - check back here each week in July for a new Deal of the Week.  The Deal of the Week product must be ordered during the dates noted in the promo or regular prices will apply.  Order directly online via my Stampin' Up! webstore (click Shop Now) or email me.  

Country Living Promotion

Summer Cookout Kit - With the simple and speedy projects in the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit, every occasion to gather becomes a reason to celebrate! Be the envy of everyone when you have a get together and you use these wonderful coordinating products.  Kit includes table tents, die-cut kebob invitations, coasters, tags, food wrapper sheets, recipe cards, linen thread, stampin' spots, and stamp set.  Item #118070, $24.95.

Tara's Promotions

Stamp Set Give-Away - There are 3 ways to qualify for the chance to earn the Butterfly of Happiness stamp set in July.  Either place a Stampin' Up! order, refer a friend who orders, or pre-order my Scrappin' Whimsy Kit.  I'll give away a new stamp set each month.

July Scrappin' Whimsy Kit - Create beautifully coordinated scrapbook pages in a snap with this exclusive scrapbooking kit.  Kit includes cardstock, designer paper, chipboard, ribbon, die-cuts, and embellishments.  Just $24 (shipping is extra).  Deadline to pre-order the kit is July 20th.

Whew - hope you're still with me.  That was certainly a long post.  If don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd be happy to help you get preferred pricing on products and answer any questions.  I can ship anywhere in the U.S.  I'm also looking to grow my team, so if you're thinking of joining Stampin' Up! I'd be thrilled to talk with you.  Happy stamping! 

July Stamp Set Give-Away: Butterfly of Happiness

Do you like FREE stamps?  Each month, I'll be giving away a new stamp set.  For July, I'm giving away the retired Butterfly of Happiness stamp set.  You can get in on the drawing 3 different ways: 

• Place a Stampin' Up! order with me.  You will get a single entry no matter how many orders you place in July.  Orders can be placed directly online via my Stampin' Up! webstore (click Shop Now) or email me.
• Refer a friend who places an order with me.  Just tell your friend to email me and mention that you referred them.  You will get one entry each for each friend you refer that orders in July.
• Pre-order my July Scrappin' Whimsy Kit.  You will get a single entry no matter how many kits you order.

I'll announce the winner on August 1st.  Good luck!

July Scrappin' Whimsy Kit

    

I love scrapbook kits by mail, but unfortunately I'm partial to Stampin' Up! products, and our Simply Scrappin' Kits don't have all the extras I like such as embellishments, ribbon, & chipboard. So I put together my own monthly scrappin' kits and offer them to you.  These kits are filled with a variety of color-coordinated Stampin' Up! products to create gorgeous scrapbook pages or cards and/or other paper crafts. 

In honor of our new catalog, the July 2009 Scrappin' Whimsy Kit features some of the new In Colors products.  The kit includes designer paper, chipboard, 4 different ribbons, small & jumbo grommets, corduroy buttons/brads, brads, cardstock die-cuts, and more!  Kits will make eight 12x12 scrapbook pages, likely with some scraps and embellishments left over, but of course this is dependent on your page designs.  To give you some layout ideas, I will create several pages of my own using supplies from the kit and post those on my blog by the end of July, if not sooner. 

Cost of the kit is $24.00.  That’s only $3 per scrapbook page!  If needed, shipping is an additional $7.00.  Email me if you would like to purchase a kit.  Sorry, U.S. customers only please!  When you purchase the kit this month, you will be automatically entered into the drawing to win a FREE stamp set in my monthly stamp set give-away. 

I'll be offering a new Scrappin' Whimsy Kit each month.  No monthly subscription required...just pre-order the kits you like.  The deadline to pre-order the July 2009 Scrappin' Whimsy Kit is July 20th.  I will order all the products for the kits on the 21st.  Kits will be ready for pick-up or mailing within a few days of my receiving the products.  This particular kit includes:

Cardstock:  

• 8 sheets 12x12 cardstock (pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry) 
• 6 sheets 12x12 double-sided designer series paper (from the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP pack)…you will get 1 sheet of each pattern 
• 10 sheets 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock (whisper white, pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry)

Chipboard :

• 2 sheets of On Board Batch of Blooms chipboard (you will give one sheet with large frames and 1 sheet with flowers & other shapes) 

Ribbon:

• 1 yard rich razzleberry 1/2" polka-dot grosgrain ribbon 
• 1 yard melon mambo 1/2" polka-dot grosgrain ribbon 
• 1 yard pumpkin pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• 1 yard whisper white taffeta ribbon

Embellishments:

• 3 grommets (1 jumbo, 2 small...white & silver)
• 6 silver brads
• 1 pretties kit silk flower 
• 1 clear rhinestone brad
• 1 pumpkin pie corduroy brad or button 

Die-cut Cardstock Pieces:

• 5 modern labels (whisper white, pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry)
• 6 daisy flowers in 3 sizes (pumpkin pie, melon mambo)
• 6 circles in 3 sizes (pumpkin pie, melon mambo)
• 1 tope note (rich razzleberry)

Suggested Kit Add-Ons: see below for photos

• Razzle Dazzle stamp set (set of 5, $18.95) coordinates with Razzleberry Lemondade DSP
• In Color stampin' write markers (set of 6 different colors, $17.95)

 

* stamp set not shown at full size

• 8 sheets 12x12 cardstock (pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry) 
• 6 sheets 12x12 double-sided designer series paper (from the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP pack)…you will get 1 sheet of each pattern 
• 10 sheets 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock (whisper white, pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry)

Happy Birthday Robot Card

Well today marks the first day of the new Idea Book & Catalog so I thought it only fitting to showcase a new stamp set.  This one is called Lots of Bots and it features 3 cute little robot images, lines of computer "code", and some nuts & bolts.  I just love it!

This 3x6 card was created for a new catalog swap I was part of with the ImPeckable Stampers demonstrator group.  I used the gorgeous new Bermuda Bay In Color cardstock (& marker!) along with some old favorites: basic gray & not quite navy.  I shaded part of the robot in with a blender pen & the gray ink pad.  I knew the card wasn't quite complete so I added a silver jumbo brad to the bottom corner (though some in the swap got a white jumbo brad instead).

 

Stamp set: lots of bots; Inks: bermuda bay, basic gray, not quite navy, versamark, basic black; Cardstock: bermuda bay, basic gray, not quite navy, whisper white; Embellishments: 5/15" jumbo brad; Tools: blender pen 

Stamp Club Card #1: Wild About Elephants

Without a doubt, I'll miss the retiring Wild About You stamp set, especially that cute elephant!  So I had to do one last card with my Stamp Club using this image.  This 4-1/4 x 4-1/4 card features the elephant & bird stamped on whisper white cardstock with a black circular frame on top.  We used the Circle Scissors Plus to cut the frame.....cut the inner circle first, then without moving the tool, adjust it to a larger size and cut the outer circle.  Easy peasy.  Though it's hard to make out in the picture, we embossed small polka dots on the strip of going gray cardstock using the Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I texturz plate.

Whimsical Tip: The key to cutting perfect circles with the Circle Scissors Plus tool is to make sure you securely adhere the cardstock to the glass mat.  If the cardstock slips at all, your circle will be off or even ruined.  I use double-sided tape to make sure my cardstock is stuck well to the mat.  You can also use Dotto temporary adhesive. 

 

Stamp set: wild about you; Inks: pacific point, going gray; Cardstock: pacific point, going gray, basic black, whisper white; Embellishments: pacific point double striped ribbon; Tools: circle scissors plus, glass mat, big shot, multipurpose platform, stampin' up! backgrounds I texturz plates, silicone rubber, impressions pad

Just Beachy Stamp Set Winner!

The winner of my first monthly stamp set give-away is Alicia K.  Congrats, Alicia!  I'll give you the stamp set at our next Technique Class.

Do you want to win a free stamp set?  Then simply place a Stampin' Up! order with me & you'll automatically be entered in the drawing.  Refer a friend who places an order with me and you'll get   an extra entry in the drawing for that month.  I'm giving away a new stamp set each month.  Check back tomorrow to see which stamp set I'm giving away in July! 

Glitter Window Technique: Absolutely Fabulous Card

Our third and final card for my June Technique Class used the absolutely fabulous glitter window technique.  This one was a big hit with my stampers....what girl doesn't love glitter?!!  For this card, we used the retiring Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette In Color inks & cardstock as well as the retiring Pretty Amazing & Absolutely Fabulous stamp sets.  Though it has a big WOW factor, the glitter window  technique is quite simple. 

1) Align a piece of white (or neutral) cardstock to the top inside section of the cardbase but do not adhere it....just hold it in place.  Now punch or cut a shape through both pieces of cardstock to create the window. 

2) Adhere a piece of white (or neutral) cardstock to the bottom inside section of the card.  Then stamp your image through the window to ensure proper alignment.

3) Apply a piece of packing tape on the top inside section of the cardstock so the tape is over the window, sticky side up. 

4) Sprinkle glitter on top of the tape and press to make sure it sticks well.  Shake off the excess glitter. 

5) Now adhere the white (or neutral) cardstock from Step 1 to the top inside section of the card base to hide the back of the packing tape.    

Whimsical Tip #1: As a variation, you can simply adhere the stamped white cardstock piece from Step 2 on the top inside section of the card so the stamped image is directly underneath the glitter window with the image facing upward.  In this case, your stamped image would not be seen on the inside of the card. 

If you enjoy my stamping techniques, consider joining me for my monthly Technique Classes or purchasing the Classes to Go.  For just $10 (including shipping for non-locals), you'll get 3 hand-stamped cards as well as 3 technique instruction cards to place on a ring or in a binder to refer back to later.  Each month, I introduce 3 new techniques so pretty soon, you'll have a bunch of stamping techniques at your fingertips.  Feel free to purchase several months of Classes to Go in advance so you don't miss a month.  My next technique class is scheduled for Monday, July 13th. RSVP via email by July 10th if you'd like to join me or purchase the Class to Go. 

 

 

Stamp sets: absolutely fabulous, pretty amazing; Inks: kiwi kiss, pink pirouette, basic gray; Cardstock: kiwi kiss, pink pirouette, whisper white; Embellishments: basic gray taffeta ribbon, dazzling diamonds glitter; Tools: blender pen, 1-3/4" circle punch, packing tape

Faux Framing Technique: Congratulations Card

Sorry for the delay in posting everyone.  I took a much-needed hiatus from blogging while my family and I went on a mini vacation to Wisconsin.  I'm back and refreshed (well, maybe a little travel weary today!) and ready to enter blogland.

Here's the 2nd card we did at my technique class this month: the faux framing technique.  Simply cut a shape out of the center of a piece of scrap cardstock using a punch, coluzzle, circle scissors plus, or another shape-cutting tool.  This will be your frame.  Place the frame over your cardstock and use a stampin' sponge or sponge dauber to ink inside the frame.  Now with your frame still in place over your cardstock, stamp within and on the edges of the frame for a framed image.  

Whimsical Tip #1: You can use several methods to ink the cardstock inside the frame.  Try a sponge daubing motion (like with stenciling) or a light rubbing motion.  Each will give a slightly different look.

Whimsical Tip #2: When you ink the cardstock inside the frame, you can apply your ink so it's darker on the edges and lighter in the center or vice versa.

For this card, I used the retiring riding hood red In Color ink, cardstock, and ribbon as well as the retiring Hugs & Wishes & Stitched Exotics stamp sets.  I kep the card simple so as not to distract from the framed image.

 

Stamp sets: hugs & wishes, stitched exotics; Inks: riding hood red; Cardstock: riding hood red, whisper white; Embellishments: riding hood red taffeta ribbon; Tools: ticket corner punch, sponge dauber        

Rubber Band & Brayer Technique: Just Beachy Card

Card #1 for my June Technique Class was this cute Big Buckle Card using the Just Beachy stamp set (place an online order with me by the end of the month and get a chance to earn this stamp set for FREE!....just go to http://tarakieninger.stampinup.net & click Shop Now).  We used the rubber band & brayer technique to create faux waves on the front of the card.  This is a simple technique: just wrap rubber bands around your brayer head, pop it back into the brayer handle, roll it across your ink pad to pick up the ink, and then roll it on your cardstock.  For a tutorial on making a big buckle card, check out this link.   

Whimsical Tip: roll your inked brayer on scrap paper first to see if the rubber bands form a pattern that you like.  If not, adjust your bands (I like to twist mine a bit) and see if you like those results.  When you are satisfied, re-ink your brayer and roll it on your project.

 

 

Stamp sets: just beachy, on your birthday; Inks: pacific point, temptinq turquoise; Cardstock: pacific point, tempting turquoise, kraft, whisper white; Embellishments: vintage brads; Tools: word window punch, 1" circle punch, small corner rounder, brayer, rubber bands

I {heart} Sea Glass 12x12

Here's another recent layout I put together.  This one features more photos of Mia hunting for her beloved sea glass in Maine.  I used a retired alphabet stamp set & simply scrappin' kit.  Instead of using the die-cut adhesives as they were, I used my punch to make heart shapes out of several of the square patterned pieces instead and then positioned these in several places around the layout to meet the "Rule of 3" for balance and to draw the viewer's eye across the page. 

 

Stamp sets: pure & simple alphabet; Inks: rose red; Cardstock: rose red, barely banana, wild wasabi; Embellishments: friends & flowers simply scrappin' kit; Tools: heart to heart punch

Par-fect Father's Day Suspension Card

I made this card at my upline Julie Davison's stamp club meeting (she lets her downline attend) two months ago.  I thought it was perfect to share with you today on Father's Day.  Be sure to remind all the fathers in your life how much they mean to you.

This suspension card uses the retiring Kiwi Kiss & Baja Breeze In Colors and the And Many Mower stamp set which is only available throught the end of June.  Email me if you'd like to order any of these products!  Don't forget, if you place an order with me in June, you'll get a chance to win the Just Beachy stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog! 

We added a dimpled texture to the golf ball using the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I texturz plate (we punched two circles from the textured cardstock and then adhered them together with the dimples facing inward to mimic a real golf ball).  Then we suspended the golf ball using fishing line.  So cute, Julie! 

 

Stamp sets: and many mower, Inks: basic gray, kiwi kiss, baja breeze; Cardstock: basic gray, kiwi kiss, baja breeze, whisper white; Tools: blender pen, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, fishing line, big shot, paper snips, stampin' up! backgrounds I texturz plates, multipurpose platform, silicone rubber, impressions pad

Beach Comber 12x12

I'm still here!  Sorry for the delay in posting.  I've been helping out with my church's kids event all but one night this week.  We have one more night, but I figured that I had better post something or you would stop coming back!

This page features photos of Mia hunting for beach "treasures" while on vacation in Maine last fall.  I used the retired Whimsical Upper & Lower Alphabet stamp sets for the title.  I so wish those sets were still current.  But that's OK.....I keep all my retired alphabet stamps and continue to show them some love!  For some reason, the edges of my title blocks look jagged in this photo, but they're not in real life.  It must be a TypePad thing because they're not like that in Photoshop Elements or Picasa either.  If anyone has advice on how to improve photo quality in TypePad, let me know!