Winchester 6x6 layout

I started a new project this week. It is a rather large one and will take some time to complete. It is a Faith album for my children. When it is completed it will have a page for each day of the month plus a title page. I am using 6x6 LOs, and I am hoping my album doesn't look too bulky when finished. LOL

Each page will represent a day of the month, and will give me something specific to pray for my children on that day. The first day is Salvation.

I chose the Winchester paper collection, the colors are so rich looking and are neutral enough for boy or girl pictures. There are five different designs of 12x12 cardstock in the SWIC (Soar with it collection). You also receive a 12x12 sheet of coordinating die-cut cardstock tags and embellishments.

The designer paper coordinates with five Bazzill cardstock colors. (I LOVE Bazzill cardstock!!! Yummo!!) The Bazzill cardstock has several different textures to add interest to your layouts and cards. Because it is 12x12 I can get 4 pages for this album from only one sheet. (A quick tip- if you want a smooth surface to stamp or use with your printer just use the back side of the Bazzill.)

The Angel Company also has coordinating hardware (did you notice the eyelets on the Scripture strip?) and ribbons (watch for those on some LOs to come) for each SWIC. Using the elements from the SWICs you can have beautiful LOs and cards in no time flat.

On this LO I stamped Swirlygigs on my cardstock with Versamark for a tone on tone look. Curls and swirls was then stamped on the designer paper with Palette Cognac. (Stamping on patterned paper adds an extra layer of interest.) Tan Scrappers Floss was wrapped around my picture and the ends were twisted around my paper piercer for the curlicues. This was then pop dotted to my LO for dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Until later~

Ice cream

With the temperature hovering around the 90's Ice Cream is a delicious way to beat the heat. Hunter even wanted an ice cream sandwich for breakfast this morning. LOL I think ice cream is a perfect treat when the heat goes up. (Or when the temps dip to single digits. LOL) The kids have enjoyed chasing the Ice cream truck a couple of times this summer. That happens to be one of my favorite childhood memories, hearing the jingling and knowing he was on his way. I always got the same thing- a refreshing Bomb pop. The red, white and blue colors still make my mouth water.

I think this little lady also chased down the Ice Cream man. LOL The stamp set is Ice Cream by The Angel Company. And I used the Uptown Girl papers again. There is a sentiment (from Oh How) stamped at the bottom-"Oh how you make me smile."

Today's blessings-

**Having a second chance at childhood through my children**

**Mom is feeling much better**

**Watching my husband swing on the swingset**

Until later~

Forever friends

This is a friend card using the Everyday Events stamp set by The Angel Company. The printed paper is Uptown Girl. This is an 8x8 pad with 36 sheets of paper in pink and black designs. This was one of the paper collections I ordered with my starter kit, and I am still using it. LOL The scalloped edge was made with the Treadin Water punch, and another punch was used for the photo corner. I had added the gem stones to my collection a little while ago (or as anyone in Columbus would say- "A minute ago". Any short amount of time here equals a minute. LOL) and now I can't remember who made them.

I am not sure what the kiddos will get into today- it looks like it is going to rain any minute.
Hunter did just inform me that he "Needs something to munch." LOL Where did he come up with that?? LOL Well gotta run...................

Until later~

Well, it's official....

our baby is now 2. Hailey has grown and changed so much in 2 short years. She is such an independent little lady now. She is so amazing!!!


Her birthdays have never gone as planned, poor kid. Last year on the day of her 1st birthday party I got a call that my Grandmother had passed away. Actually during the party my cousin called back with the funeral arrangements.


This year we decided to head up north to visit both grandmas. I talked to my mom on Thursday morning and she was doing fine. Something went very wrong later that evening, and she ended up being in the hospital while we were there. She was so afraid she wouldn't get to see the kids. But we loaded them up and ended up having Hailey's cake and gifts in mom's hospital room. (We are not sure what happened to mom. She has to schedule an EEG and a MRI tomorrow, so hopefully soon we will know what happened to her. She did get to go home yesterday. She is very tired today, but glad to be home.)


I am just glad Hailey is too young to notice bad things happen on her birthday.





Please keep mom in your prayers.

This card was designed using a sketch over on Paperwings. (Link is on the right.) I love the pink and black color scheme in Uptown Girl designer paper by TAC! That pink zebra print is just wild!! LOL

Until later~

How swell

Isn't this the cutest baby bump? I love this stamp set (How Swell) from The Angel Company. This hot momma shows you can be stylish and preggers too. LOL I can not help but get excited every time I find out someone is expecting. It always reminds me of our own excitement with Hunter and Hailey!!

I chose the Genevieve papers for this card, not so much for the colors but for the name. Hee Hee. Don't get me wrong, I love the colors and they work perfectly here. LOL The bracket and the small squares (attached with brads here) are also included in this paper collection. You get a whole 9x9 sheet of matching diecuts- brackets, shapes, tabs and tags. The advantage of using stamps over stickers is that each and every image is unique, you can change it up any way you please. Here I used the Prismacolor pencils and OMS. ( She is also very easy to paper piece with designer papers.)

We will be traveling tomorrow to see both Grandmas. My mom had her treatment on Monday. We will try not to tire her out too much, but I know she is very excited to see the kiddos. Hailey's birthday is Saturday, so tomorrow starts the celebrating- we are doing sort of a "progressive party". LOL I can not believe our baby is 2!!!!

See ya in a couple of days.

Until later~

Eat your veggies

I just have a quickie for you today. This is the retired set Old Friend again. I really like that the seed packets are "empty" so you can "fill" them with whatever you wish. (OK, now having said that I have a bunch of ideas running through my head. LOL)
The veggies are colored with Prismacolor pencils and OMS and the center packet is pop dotted for extra dimension.

Until later~

A little 9 Patch Square

I have dabbled in all kinds of crafts- sewing, counted cross stitch, painting wood and plasters, jewelry making, etc. The one I have always wanted to try is quilting. I am the same way with fabrics as I am with pretty paper!! I knew the moment I saw this technique it was for me. LOL This is my very first attempt, but I know I will be doing more!!

While nosing around youtube I came across this tutorial- Quilting meets Cardmaking. <-click

I love youtube, it is perfect for me- being a visual learner.

The paper I used is TAC's Rustic Chic- the same as the Big Buckle card from yesterday. The swirls (Curls and swirls) were stamped with Versamark for a tone on tone look. Sentiment is from G is for Gratitude.

Until later~

After all this time I finally made a Big Buckle card

I found samples of this technique dating back to early Spring of 2006. I finally decided to give it a try. I have always admired the Big Buckle cards, so why did I wait so long? LOL Oh well, I will tell you they are very easy to make.

I used TAC's Rustic Chic designer papers. The image is from a recently retired TAC set Old Friend. She was colored with watercolor crayons and Aqua water brush. The flower and button are from the Audrey embellishment jar. (Just a quick note- The Ava Embellishment jar is a closer match to the Rustic Chic papers.)

If you would like to try the Big Buckle card you can find the directions here on Splitcoaststampers.

Today's blessings-

**A/C**

**Quiet early mornings**

**A very supportive DH**

Until later~

Wild West

I am hoping to have a bunch of cards made before Friday. We are heading to both Grandma's to celebrate Sister's 2nd Birthday. (I can not believe my baby is 2 already.) Some of the ladies my mom has given cards to are interested in seeing more. I am really enjoying making a wide variety of cards, I usually need certain kinds of cards and just make those.

I will post my favorite one first- This is a fun little card using Wild West. I used the watercolor crayons and an Aqua flow water brush to color his clothes. His little face and hands were done with the Skin tone pencils. It is hard to see in the picture but the red layer has a paisley texture added to it. I brought out the Big Shot for the embossing.

Until later~

A use my stash day.

I have a whole post of non TAC items today. I LOOOOOVE TAC, and our products are fabulous, but every now and then something catches my eye and it needs me. What kind of crafter would I be if I walk on by when some pretty paper needed me? LOL

First have a little album made from coasters. I love making my own little books, I can make as many or as few pages as I need. The Hello tag is on ball and chain from Tim Holtz- I waited forever for it to come in at my LSS. I love the Bind-it-all, it makes binding books a snap. The tag can be used as a bookmark.

Next - Thank you cards for my mom. She wanted more to hand out at her treatments. This is one of a dozen I made. Half are horizontal the others are vertical. I used a very simple design featuring the pretty paper. (Guess what, I am pleased to say I used the ribbon I ordered from the Ribbon Retreat on half of them. LOL)

Up next is a card for my mom. I like to send her a card so she gets it on her Chemo days- which will be on Monday. I went ahead and made 2 of these. My mom's friend has Chemo on Tuesday so she will get the other one.

This is a 4.25" x 11" piece of cardstock scored at 2" and 7". I used adhesive on two sides of the 2" piece to form a pocket for the bookmark. A sentiment is stamped under the bookmark. I used some papers from my stash that were in a Breast Cancer pack. Oh, and the Treading water Fiskers punch is so cool. And yes, that ribbon is more from The Ribbon Retreat. LOL

Lastly, I made this Christmas card with paper I bought the day before my TAC Christmas papers arrived. I was a little anxious to get started on Christmas cards. LOL The tree is from TAC's Vintage Christmas set.

Until later~

Christmas already?

I am a part of the Christmas Card Challenge over on Paper Wings (a site for TAC demos). We set our goal of how many cards we would need for the upcoming Holiday season. Then each month we make a portion of them. We are trying to have them done early this year so making cards is not another thing on our mile long lists of things to do. ;-)

So, Sunday I finally got started on mine. LOL Seven down, many more to go. LOL

This is July's card sketch on Sheetload. I changed it up a little, I stamped my vertical piece, and my circles are larger and one is scalloped. Don't you think the Reece paper collection beautiful?

Stamps- Christmas Fun and Holiday liners

Ink- Palette Burnt Umber and Noir

Paper- Reece SWIC and Reece cardstock

Misc- Mega scalloped circle punch, Coluzzle cutting system, circle template, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS and Christmas red Stickles

Today's Blessings-
** Christian role-models**
** Mom is doing very well**
** My family**

Until later~

Heat embossing tutorial

Are you ready for a tutorial? Do you ever find yourself needing a color of embossing powder you don't have? Yesterday while working on some Christmas cards I started a list of all the colors of embossing powders I need. For starters I need green- not too bright, not too dark, more of a celedon-ish color. Then it happened, I started playing, and from that comes my next tutorial.

The Angel Company has listed coordinating ink colors with each of it's Designer Papers. They list both Versamagic (a chalk ink) and Palette (a Hybrid ink) colors. Embossing with chalk inks is very easy peasy- stamp, sprinkle with your clear embossing powder and heat until the powder melts. Chalk inks are slow drying. Hybrid inks on the other hand dry very quickly, making it more difficult to emboss with it. So, that is where this tutorial comes in-

1. Ink up your selected image with Versamark Ink.

2. Use your Palette ink to ink over the Versamark.

3. Stamp on cardstock, cover with Clear embossing powder and heat set.

There you have it- a custom embossed image. This technique works with all your Dye inks. Isn't that just so cool? Go ahead, you know you want to try it. :-)

Until later~

Playful kittie

Do you ever have days when you feel like this.......

I feel like that this morning for some reason. LOL I think this little kittie is so cute!! She is from a new The Angel Company set called Playful kitties. There are four very mischievous kitties in this set. The paper is Rustic Chic and Brown cardstock from TAC. I used the Crop-a-dile to set the eyelet. I want to start adding more than a sentiment to the inside of my cards, so I also added a few little details to this card.

Here is a shot of the front and a peek of the inside.

Here is the inside. I added just the head of another kittie from the set here.

I hope you all have a Happy weekend!!

I will try to come back later and add the click-able links, my angelnet sight is down right now.

Until later~

Wedding Wishes

Nap time yesterday was a good crafty day. This is one of the two cards I got to complete. I am very pleased with this one. The Wedding Wishes stamp set retired in June, so until I decide on a new one I will just keep using this one. LOL

I had been wanting to play with the Scor-pal to create a frame. I think it looks very elegant on the white layer. Embossing is an easy (and inexpensive) way to add interest to your cards. The grays used here should be neutral enough for any Wedding. A little bling bling (from my moldy stash LOL) finishes off the card.

Today's blessings-

**It's Friday**

**Farm fresh veggies**

**Stopping the neighborhood Ice Cream truck**

Until later~

Enjoy

First I want to thank you for the comments on yesterday's card. I guess it is growing on me. LOL

Yesterday I went down town to "work". I am a SAHM, and I haven't "worked" in over 4 years. A couple of months ago I sign up to help with diaper research. I finally was called to come down and give my opinion. I was told it would take 23 minutes to complete- it took 5. I went into a room where a couple of people where sitting at tables, on each table was a black box. I had to stick both hands through the box and feel 2 diapers, then tell which one was softest. I moved to 3 tables doing the same thing. That was it!! Then I stopped by the desk on my way out and the handed me a crisp $50 bill. That was the fastest and easiest way I had ever earned $50! LOL I am hoping they call me again. LOL

Ok, now on to the card.........

This stamp always makes me think of vacation (possibly by the lake) or retirement. The paper, ribbon and cardstock are from the Miss Moxie Soar with it Collection-love those vibrant colors!! The stamp is from Everyday Events and colored with Prismacolor pencils and OMS.

Until later~

I am not sure I like this one. LOL I don't know what it is, but something just does not work for me. Maybe it is because I have always colored the butterfly? I don't know, I just can't put my finger on it, but there is something. LOL
This one is for a young lady, so I tried to use a "young" color combo. LOL The papers are Genevieve from TAC- love those papers!! The butterfly is retired, but I think it will always be my favorite Butterfly stamp. The sentiment is from Be Still, another one I will be using for a long time. :-)

Until later~

A CASE

While surfing the net I saw a card similar to this (I forget where I saw the card, Oops). I knew when I saw it that I wanted to CASE (Copy And Send to Everyone) this one. LOL Don't you think this would make a lovely Christmas card? I think for Christmas I will add a little glitter to the tree branches. The Coluzzle was used to make a frame where the blue inks were sponged.

Recipe-

Stamps- Good Timber, G is for Gratitude

Inks- Palette and non-Tac Blues

Misc- Coluzzle cutting system, nested rectangle template and Misc Ribbon

Totally non-craft related- Do you watch The Next Food Network Star on the Food Channel? I think last night was a surprise. I am so glad that the show is finally becoming what it should have been from the beginning- focused on food. I am still not sure which contestant I want to win- and there are only 4 left. LOL

Today's Blessings-

**Everyday Heroes**

**Realizing just how "rich" I am **

**Being Blessed Beyond Measure**

Until later~

Happy Mail!!

I *heart* happy mail!! This was a nice surprise yesterday. I did not think this would be here until next week. This is the "prize" from The Angel Company for being one of their Catalogue designers. (Each designer got a gift card worth over $70 to use in the new catty. How cool is that? I LOVE TAC!!!) I chose the new SWIC Reece. The papers are just gorgeous in the catalogue, but once I got them in my hands- well let's just say- YUMMMO!! The matching cardstock and ribbons are just as yummy. LOL The stamps are the new Playful Kitties, Vintage Christmas, Christmas Circles and Decorative Corners. (Please click on all of the red names to get a closer look.) I am wanting to get started on my Christmas cards, so this will come in very handy.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. The weekends always go so fast!!
Until later~

What a deer-

I love this deer. He just looks so regal. There is no doubt he is the King of the forest. This is another retired set from TAC called Moose. This card is going to a young boy celebrating a B-day next week. I know he will love it, he enjoys hunting with his dad, and this will remind him of their time spent together in the woods.
I used the Coluzzle for the ovals. (I love that cutting system, it is so portable and very inexpensive.) The DP is Rustic Chic from TAC. Ink is burnt umber.

Happy Independence Day to all of my American friends, and everyone else have a great weekend!! Get out and do something fun this weekend!!
Until later~

Pretty Posies

Do you remember a short time ago I got on the Pretty Posies kick, well, here is another one for you! LOL Oh, and I am very sad to sat that this set retired last month. **pout**

I stamped the image twice and used Prismacolor Pencils and OMS on the first one. On the second one I only colored the largest flower, after I cut out that flower I layered it onto the first image using pop dots. I am pleased with how it turned out. I added a little detail to the flowers with a clear glitter pen. The ribbon was placed between two scored lines made with the Scor-pal. The sentiment is from Be Still.

Today's Blessings-

**Mom's treatment went very well this week, and the Doctors are very happy with her progress**

** Liberty**

**Freedom**

Until later~

Company Update July 2

This is why I love The Angel Company so much. As a company they DO listen to their Independant Demonstrators!!

Here is today's revised update taken from The Angel's only section of the TAC web site:


Important Hostess Half-Price Item Update"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!
Yesterday we reluctantly released an update to our Hostess Half Price Program as a result of being bombarded with continuous price increases and fuel surcharges due to current economic conditions and other factors. We know that our prices will continue to rise from vendors, some quite extensively, over these next few months and we are faced with finding solutions for what will be a problem. After releasing our updated Hostess Half Price Program in which you could only redeem Hostess Half Price Items and Hostess Booking Items on rubber stamps and TAC™ papers or kits, we received some incredible feedback from our field along with some incredible solutions that quite honestly ~ we hadn’t thought of. So many solutions were pure genius, however, implementing some of these solutions would require massive re-programming of our computer systems which would end up costing the company just as much, if not more, to implement. After sorting through enormous amounts of email we have found a solution, suggested by many of our Angels, which we believe will solve the issues we currently face and it’s a solution that works! This new Hostess Half Price Program supersedes the Half Price Item update we posted yesterday. Effective July 15, 2008, the Hostess Half Price Program will operate as follows: For FUNshop Net Sales between:• $100-249.99 hostesses may select 1 half price item from any item in our current catalogue.• $250-499.99 hostesses may select 2 half price items from any items in our current catalogue.• $500-749.99 hostesses may select 3 half price items from any items in our current catalogue.•$750 and above hostesses may select 4 half price items from any items in our current catalogue.The Booking Bonus Half Price Item is being eliminated and will no longer be available on any order beginning July 15, 2008. While this is an unexpected hiccup we are thrilled with this solution and we continue to believe that “where there’s a will ~ there’s a way!” By working together with our Angels we continue to move in the right direction! These times that we have all faced lately have been difficult but together we can find solutions that work for everyone and share the economic hardships and meet our customers half-way! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and presenting solutions that we hadn’t even considered. While we strive to make great decisions all the time it is true that sometimes the really great solutions come from those who aren’t here in our Corporate Offices. Those with an entirely different perspective. We love being a part of a company where everyone’s thoughts, ideas, suggestions and solutions are greatly valued. This is what makes The Angel Company™ unique and a company we can all be proud to be a part of! Again, thank you and we apologize for any confusion we may have caused.

New Company policy

This is a new company policy just announced for The Angel Company.


Hostess Half-Price Items
Please note the following important information concerning Hostess Half-Price Items and Hostess Booking items. Effective July 15 Hostess Half Price Items and Hostess Booking Items may only be redeemed on rubber stamps and TAC™ papers or kits. Additionally, please note that a hostess must have $75.00 or more in commissionable sales in order to be eligible to receive the Booking Bonus Item. Due to the continuous price increases and fuel surcharges vendors are implementing, The Angel Company™ must address our Half Price Item and Booking Item issues immediately due to the incredibly large loss the company faces as a result of these continuous price increases. While we would have hoped to make this change simultaneously with the introduction of a new Inspiration Book, current economic issues prevent that and as a result we must take action immediately. We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your support and understanding as we address this issue head on.

Good Timber

This is my last submission for The Angel Company's Fall/Winter Inspiration book and Catalogue. (Actually this one was my favoritest! LOL)

I love this tree from Good Timber. My favorite thing to do with it is to use chalks on it.

Recipe-

Stamps- Good Timber and G is for gratitude

Ink- Versamark and Palette Noir

Paper-DP and cardstock Winchester SWIC

Misc- Ribbon and Brads- Winchester Swic, Chalks- Earth tone chalk kit

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Until later~