The Making of a Snowgirl

This 2-page spread was one I made at my upline's retreat earlier this month. The original photos I took were too washed out. These aren't the greatest shots either, but they'll do. These are probably some of my favorite photos of Mia. She and Brian built a snowman, and of course it had to morph into a snowGIRL, complete with a flower headband and pink scarf. For this layout, I broke into my Vintage Violet stash as it matched Mia's coat perfectly. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the title on the left side page says "the making of a" stamped in doodle alphabet in white on vintage violet cardstock. The letters were a little on the light side, so I filled them in with elegant eggplant marker to make them stand out more in person. I finally stopped hoarding my rhinestone brads and used them on this page.


Stamp Sets: snowfall, doodle alphabet
Cardstock: pretty in pink, vintage violet, whisper white
Inks: whisper white, vintage violet, pretty in pink, silver encore
Markers: vintage violet, pretty in pink, elegant eggplant
Embellishments: white grosgrain ribbon, circle rhinestone brads

Here Comes Santa Claus

We took the kids to the annual Festival of Trees event in town. We went right after work/school/daycare and weren't planning for this to be their official photo session with Santa, so the kids aren't dressed in their holiday clothes. Still, we managed a few good photos with Santa as well as a photo of the kids near a tree decorated as Santa. We also rode the miniature train (Seth's first time) and snacked on delicious gingerbread cookies. Mia had a ball throwing pennies into the wishing fountain before we went home.

In case you can't tell by his expression, Seth LOVES Santa. He has already visited with him twice (once before at the mall). When Mia was Seth's age, she was so scared of Santa and it took her several years to get over it, so this is a nice change. We are having Breakfast with Santa in a couple of weeks so we'll break out the good clothes then.

Stamping Frenzy

Sorry for the sparse posts in the last couple of weeks. I've been busy hand-stamping some things both to sell and give away as gifts. If you read this blog and happen to get one of these as a gift from me, act surprised! Besides perpetual calendars, here's some of what I've been stamping:


"Color Me" Card Kits for Kids - I made both boy and girl versions. The kits have 4 ready-to-color cards (each with different stamped images and assorted cardstock base colors), 4 envelopes, and 4 crayons. The kit contents are in a cello bag with a cardstock topper. I've included photos of the front & back of the kits so you can see what's in them. These will make great stocking stuffers or gifts for birthday parties. People can buy them and give the entire kit as a gift or have your kids color one of the cards and give it to another child. The inside of the cards are blank for versatility. Envelopes were some that I got in bulk at a garage sale. Crayons were from the $1 rack at Michaels.

Jumbo Paper Clip Bookmarks - These are so simple and fun to make. You can find these jumbo clips at WalMart in the office supply area. Target carries an even bigger version, but they are more expensive. I used assorted Stampin' Up cardstock, ribbon, and Simply Scrapping Kits, some current and some retired, as well as our scallop & three for you punches.

RSVP Pens - I did a simple version by stamping on shipping labels. I {heart} the simple elegance of the Bud Basic stamp set. This was super easy but these pens are not exactly cheap!

Decorative Magnets: I used a variety of stamp images to make these. Crystal Effects works great for adhering the punched cardstock to the back of the glass "pebble" (purchased at the dollar store) and the magnet to the back of the cardstock. I tried using markers to add several colors to an image, but found that the ink from the markers would bleed when Crystal Effects was applied. Stick with classic ink. Because of the weight of the "pebbles", I bought the most heavy-duty magnets I could find. My daughter and son bring home tons of paperwork and artwork that we need to keep posted on the fridge. Most of my magnets are too wimpy to hold the stuff up, so I'm thrilled to have these heavy-duty (and super cute) versions.

I've also been stamping/punching ornaments and getting ready for my stamp club meeting. I'll post photos soon!

Happy Thanksgiving & Upcoming Blog Candy

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! We are traveling to my brother's house, but it is only about an hour and a half away. I'm glad we don't have to travel any further. We'll be celebrating Merran & Merrik's (my brother's twins) 4th birthday, which is actually today. They had a rocky birth and infanthood, but are doing great now. I'm so thankful for this, my family, my friends, and God as well as the ability to be able to create! What are you thankful for this year?

Keep checking back. To show my thanks to all of you, I'll be offering up some blog candy once my hit counter reaches 2,000! Thanks for helping to make it happen!

Scrapbook Pages - Part 1

I got these 2-page spreads done yesterday at the local scrapbooking store. Because I had access to so many new products (and it was pouring down rain and I didn't want to lug all of my supplies inside), there is hardly any stamping on these pages.

For some reason, I can't seem to break the 1-hour barrier. I average about 1 hour per page. Sure would like to cut the time down some, but it's just isn't in the cards for me. Of course some of these pages feature time-consuming details like a 24" "line" of buttons, hand-drawn designs on letters, and hand-cut bear tracks!

Spunky U

Unfortunately the photos do not do these pages justice. The yellow sugar-coated cardstock is super glittery, adding a ton of bling.

Markers: basic black, summer sun

Cardstock: whisper white, black (bazzill), white with black polka dots (creative imaginations), yellow sugar-coated cardstock (doodlebug designs inc.)

Punches: scallop, slit, & circle punches

Other: die-cut tag (luxe designs), black ric rac (unknown), button (unknown), die-cut letters (accu-cut?), bracket (traced from everlasting keepsakes chipboard brackets)

A Room for Seth

The toes/claws of the bear tracks were punched using a sunflower punch by paper shapers). The rest of the tracks were hand-cut.

Marker: basic black

Cardstock: basic black, whisper white, olive (bazzill), striped (my mind's eye)

Ribbon: whisper white grosgrain

Other: chipboard letters (bazzill), sunflower punch (paper shapers), rub-ons (the paper studio & karen russell), metal ribbon tag (unknown)

Halloween Hauntings

Marker: basic black

Inks: basic black, pumpkin pie, tempting turquoise

Cardstock: basic black, pumpkin pie, whisper white, blue (bazzill), striped (creative imaginations)

Ribbon: pumpkin pie grosgrain, wild wasabi double-stitched grosgrain

Buttons: brocade blue, pumpkin pie, white & green w/ white polka dots (doodlebug design inc.), orange/green/black/light blue (unknown)

Other: tool kit, epoxy stickers (creative imaginations), rub-ons (american crafts), jumbo brads (queen & co.), sequins (doodlebug design inc.)

Scrapbook Pages - Part 2

Happy Boy

Stamp sets: alphadots (retired), it's a date, you make me happy
Inks: brocade blue, night of navy, whisper white
Markers: night of navy
Cardstock: night of navy, sarah designer series paper (retired), so saffron, whisper white
Punches: round tab, 1" & 1-1/4" circle
Buttons: clear, brocade blue, so saffron

Backyard Tent Camping

Stamp Sets: priceless, geniune articles, ABC lower alphabet, on the edge alphabet (retired)

Inks & Markers: almost amethyst, certainly celery, lovely lilac

Cardstock: almost amethyst, certainly celery, lovely lilac, whisper white

Ribbon: certainly celery and whisper white grosgrain

Punches: 1/8", 1/4", 1-1/4", and 1-3/8" circle punches

Having a Ball at Jungle of Fun

Stamp sets: best friend upper alphabet, jumbo outline alphabet

Inks: versamark, whisper white

Cardstock: real red, textured brocade blue

Marker: basic black, versamarker

Ribbon: real red grosgrain ribbon, red gingham ribbon

Other: coluzzle, on board accents chipboard, primary colors simply scrappin' kit

Cousins

Stamp sets: best friends lower alphabet, starstruck

Inks: blue bayou, versamark

Markers: basic black, pumpkin pie, wild wasabi

Cardstock: pumpkin pie, soft sky, textured wild wasabi, whisper white

Other: creative license simply scrappin' kit

Me & My Umbrella

Stamp sets: in the loop, label classics, you make me happy (retired)

Inks: cool caribbean (retired), pretty in pink, wild wasabi

Marker: pretty in pink

Cardstock: pretty in pink, textured wild wasabi, whisper white, petals & paisleys designer series paper

Ribbon: whisper white grosgrain

Other: tempting turquoise brad, island blossoms simply scrappin' kit (retired)

Perpetual Calendar - To Make or To Purchase

I am finally getting around to photographing some examples of my hand-stamped perpetual calendars and posting them. The covers will be decorated in an assortment of Stampin' Up!'s designer series paper, both current (pictured) and retired, and coordinating torn cardstock. An assortment of designer paper will be available at the class. The calendar will also be adorned with a decorated chipboard letter (1st or last initial)...the photo shows an example with a decorated chipboard flower. I have also posted a couple of the hand-stamped monthly pages as an example. We'll be stamping all of the pages in class.

If you're in the Springfield, IL area, please join me for my Perpetual Calendar Class in December. Stamp as many calendars as you'd like. Details are available on the December calendar on my Stampin' Up! website (http://tarakieninger.stampinup.net/Events.aspx?showMonth=2007-12).

If you would like to purchase hand-stamped perpetual calendars (after November 15th), please click the link at the top of the screen to send me an email. Hand-stamped calendars are available for $18.00 each. These make excellent gifts for teachers, grandparents, godparents, bosses, staff, etc. And don't forget to get one for yourself! You'll never have to transfer birthdates and anniversaries to another calendar again!

Back from Retreat!

I am back from retreat! My 2nd and 3rd upline hosted an awesome Demonstrator's retreat this past weekend. Thanks Julie and Kim! There were project demonstrations, make-and-takes, and tons of door prizes, not to mention some great swaps! Aside from getting away from the kids for 24 hours...I learned so much, met a bunch of fantastic ladies, and got some scrapbook pages done.... I am refreshed, relaxed, and inspired! Who could ask for a better weekend?!!! And I get to go scrapbook again all day tomorrow. Am I a lucky girl, or what?!!! Believe me, it doesn't happen that often.

Anyway, I promise to post some photos of my latest scrapbook pages starting tomorrow. By the way, I stumbled across an awesome website for scrapbookers and/or cardmakers: http://www.pagemaps.com/. They feature new sets of scrapbook sketches each month. I printed all of their "maps" and took them with me this weekend. It sure made my scrapbooking so much easier. Now I need to check out their card sketches!

Since I don't have any creations to post tonight, I'll post a couple of photos of the kids that I used in my layouts this weekend. Enjoy!

Mia - April 2006 (age: 5 years)

Seth - April 2005 (age: 2 months)

Florescent Flower

Since I am laid up with a major ear infection, I'm posting an old creation tonight (though all the supplies are still current - Correction: oops, actually the organdy ribbon is retired). I made this card back in April after seeing a similar sketch on SplitCoast. I changed the stamp set & colors. Wasn't sure how pink passion and only orange would look together, but I think coupled with basic black, they look great! Almost florescent! I purposely didn't stamp a greeting as I wanted to be able to use it for any occasion.

Don't look too closely or you'll see that my crimping is not quite straight. I am crimper-challenged.....my crimped cardstock is almost always at a slant. If anyone has any tips for keeping it straight, I'm all ears (though only one good one tonight!).


Stamp Set: doodle this
Inks: only orange, pink passion, black stazOn
Cardstock: basic black, only orange, pink passion, whisper white
Embellishments: black organdy ribbon
Tools: blender pens, crimper, ticker corner punch

Though my ear infection has had me down today (the right side of my face is throbbing), it hasn't kept me out. I was able to nearly finish 7 perpetual calendars that I was commissioned to do so far. Just one page left to stamp and then I'll decorate/personalize the covers. I'll be selling these hand-stamped calendars for the holidays as well as giving some as gifts (teachers, family, friends, etc.). They were a huge hit last year. Stay tuned for photos!

Card Sketch Challenge 145

Though I actually did the challenge the week it was put up (....about 3 weeks ago, but who's counting?!!!), I'm just now getting around to posting my creations here. This was for SplitCoast Card Sketch Challenge 145:

Shelley's birthday card:

Stamp sets: garden whimsy, happy everything

Inks & Markers: old olive, purely pomegranate
Cardstock: purely pomegranate, tempting turquoise, whisper white, petals & paisley designer paper

Embellishments: old olive grosgrain ribbon

Other: stamping sponges, dimensionals

Freeman Sympathy Card:

Stamp Set: close as a memory

Inks & Markers: always artichoke, close to cocoa, old olive, really rust
Cardstock: close to cocoa, really rust, whisper white, fall flowers designer paper
Embellishments: old olive grosgrain ribbon