More blog candy!

Hello Stampers!

I actually started blog candy a few days ago, but haven't had many responses, so I've decided to give you a list of this months blog candy (from June 28 until July 31). Leave a comment on the blog any where, if you post my candy to your blog I'll put your name in the hat an additional five times. This will stay at the top of my blog until blog candy is drawn. Email me to let me know your blog addy so I can put you in the hat the additional five times! Sakura stardust jelly roll pens Summer camp stamp kit (comes with an acrylic block and fun orange stamp pad) from the paper company) Jungle clear stamps also from the paper company a pair of fun socks, a Yankee candle in "garden " scent an altered tea bag holder an altered post it holder I will most likely be adding to the blog candy so keep your eyes peeled. For those who are asking, Craig is driving currently to his new duty station at Keesler,AFB in Mississippi when we spoke with him earlier today he should be arriving around 5:00 pm. We titled his Honda over to him so it is now his 'baby'. He is actually enjoying the drive. It is his first long trip alone. (Except for all the calls from his parents). I realized the other day that Chad actually made the honor roll EVERY reporting period last year. Chad was diagnosed with ADHD/hyperactivity as a small child and has had an individualized education program guide to help with some developmental delays. When Mike and I first married Chad's vocabulary was about 12 words. Fast forward eight years and with the help of educators, and parents Chad is on grade level with excellent grades and testing appropriately for his educational levels. He is looking forward to beginning high school this fall. This week he is enjoying a summer camp at the local college, my geek is taking gaming strategy for chess, backgammon and other board games. I hope you are all well, I'll probably be caught up from our recent trip soon and should be able to get some much needed stamp time in. Stamp Happy! ~!

Our Mini Vacation

Hello Stampers

Ever notice how even when your kids grow up, they are still just kids?

Don't you just love the pictures of my boys at the beach on Tuesday? It was sunny and at times overcast. The water was way too cold (at 65*) to swim, but it was refreshing to see the young men have such a nice time.

We spend Monday afternoon until yesterday at the New Jersey, Tinton Falls area near Ft. Monmouth Army base. We really enjoyed our time together and are not looking forward to seeing Craig go to his next duty station on Sunday. It has really been a nice week and visit with our son.

I have been stamping, and will show y our pictures of what I am creating soon. I need to finish up some thank you notes for my niece who recently graduated from high school.

I hope every one has a nice afternoon.

I have enjoyed today very much, I meet up with my friends Rhonda and Kathi to celebrate Rhonda's birthday at a local Mexican restaurant, we then drove to our local stamp store and did some retail therapy. It was so nice to spend time with both ladies! Stamp Happy!

Loretta

Hugs and thanks to you Michelle for giving me this wonderful Blog Award!

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Michelle won my last offering of blog candy and was so kind to give me this award. You'll find her blog refreshing and fun!

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..The rules to this award are:

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1.Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted you the award, and include his or her blog link

2.Pass the award to 8 other blogs that you have newly discovered.

Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know you have been chosen for this awardI wish that the rules said that I had to choose more than 8 Fantastic Blogs.. but for now.... I think the origional rules where more than eight blogs, but I'll do eight for now.

I would like to pass this out to (in no particular order) these blogger friends in appreciation of their wonderful blogs and the inspiration that they nurture in each of us, when we visit their blogs.Click on each name to steal some inspiration..when you visit their wonderful blogs.

1. Camie 2.Jenn

3.Chrissy 4.Wendy 5.Theresa

6.ED 7.Wendy2 8.Sally Craig arrived safely into BWI yesterday around noon. He was dressed in his ABU (Air force basic) uniform. Poor guy I immediately tried to pop that hat right off his head!

So, as promised, blog candy will begin! The first few days of candy are just a teaser! Trying to get you guys interested in the blog. The first item of blog candy will be an altered post it holder. I'll start posting pictures tomorrow to my side bar, until then, start posting comments. Blog candy will run from today, June 20 until July 21.

Stamp Happy,

PS, still working on the never ending card video, I will totally re post when I can get the video done!

Blog Candy WINNER and The Never ending Card VIdeo tutorial!

] The winner of this month's blog candy is MICHELLE! Email me with your snail mail information and I will get your goodies out to you this week!

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Chad is feeling much better! We finally were able to get back to the pool yesterday, I am hoping for some fun at the pool again tomorrow. The funny or odd thing about summer vacation is that I sometimes loose track of what day of the week it is. It is kinda nice to not have to worry about those things!

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Chad had what we refer to in this house as a 'wild hair', on his OWN he decided to clean up, clean out and reorganize his room. He did an awesome job! I am so proud!

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All images for this card where stamped with memento ink and colored with copic markers.

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For the card measurements, you will need:

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Four pieces of card stock that measure 3" X 6" and scored 1 1/2" from each side

Ten pieces of 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" patterned paper

Ten pieces of 1" X 1" white card stock

Eighteen pieces of patterned paper measuring 2 3/4" X 2 3/4"

Eighteen pieces of white card stock measuring 2 1/2 "X 1 1/4"

Six pieces of patterned paper measuring 2 3/4" X 2 3/4"

Six pieces of white card stock measuring 2 1/2"X 2 1/2"

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A few tips:

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1. Plan ahead.

2. Allow for drying time of glitter/embellishments.

3. Use sharp blades in your trimmer.

4. Cut extra pieces of all papers.

5. Always use memento inks to stamp images and color with copic markers.

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Hopefully you'll give it a try. These are really not hard cards to make, it just takes some patience and planning. **** Stamp Happy. Next round of blog candy will be offered when Craig comes home, stay tuned! A special thank you to each of you who put my blog candy on your blog! I was so thrilled to see these posts!

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Transparency butterfly pin video tutorial can be found here.

I know as I post more that the butterfly tutorial will archive. I will try and keep a link to this cool project up at the top of my blog posts for a while. Just a quick reminder, Blog Candy drawing is June 15 in the evening. Not to late to leave comments or put me on your blog side bar!

The next tutorial I will be doing a video tutorial on how to do the 'froft' of the beer glass. It is a really easy technique. You will be amazed at how quick and easy it really is. I actually think I've invented this technique all on my own.

If you are in the local area and you would like to see what stamps, embellishments, Cricut, etc., I have to sale, please email me privately so I can set up a time for you to go thorough my goodies!

Today's projects feature a stamp from Penny Black. I received the beer image as a gift and do not know who manufactures the stamp. Both card images are colored in with copic markers. I added dimension to the cow card with decorative strips of paper and a fun Prima flower. I hope you are all doing well. Chad (my youngest) has some kind of virus and is running a 102* temp. I've kept him medicated every six hours with Advil and he seems to at least be feeling well enough to eat and drink fairly normally.

Craig is doing well. Still sitting around waiting for orders, I hope he receives them soon and will be able to come home for a visit!

Take care,I'm off to play with my new Cricut Expressions. Where has this bad boy been all my life. It is out of the box user friendly and so much fun to work with!

Stamp Happy my friends!

I received this award from Holly: http://hogwildaboutstamping.blogspot.com/

This award comes with the stipulations that I tell you ten things about myself and pass it on to seven other people. Let's get the ten things out of the way first

1. I suffered great loss when my only sister died at the age of 42.

2. I love my husband and children.

3. I love to play violin.

4. My youngest son loves to make me smile!

5. I love to stamp and scrap.

6. I'm afraid of snakes.

7. I enjoy being outside, especially by the pool!

8. I don't like confrontation.

9. I enjoy planting a garden in the spring and summer.

10. I am a bit of a silly soul and enjoy wearing pig tails from time to time!

Now for my seven nominees:

Marisol

Camie

Mary

Kathi

Roni

Kat

Martha

Today's altered coaster project used the designer series DCSW double sided paper I used ribbons for the wire and the stamp is from Biblical Impressions Stamps. I sanded and sponged the edges. The ribbon at the bottom of the project was a left over from another project and I think it adds a lovely touch! Have a super day, School is out, we are heading to the pool!

Hugs!

Transparency butterfly with a video tutorial

Lights, Camera Action;

When you click to play the video, please note, that it takes about 20-30 seconds for the video to show up. I am still not used to this darn editing software, If you are local and want to help a girl out... PLEASE do so! (hugs)

My sweet husband is outside planting 18 hedges, while I video edit this tutorial for you guys. Don't worry, I'm the queen of hydration and am fetching him beverages every thirty to forty minutes. Can't hardly wait to post a video and maybe pictures of our beautiful home right here on the blog. Remember there is blog candy to be had, so get those comments posted! I am just loving watching that counter now over the 20 thousand mark. That doesn't even count the nearly 2 months the counter didn't work. My to think of how many hits the old blog gets is pretty amazing.

A few tips about the project today, just be patient. As I said in the video, it was my first time going solo on the camera, the video is a bit side ways, but still good and my lighting issue is resolved with the new (very innovative) track lights that hubby put in for me yesterday.

Enjoy the video, Stamp Happy!

Butterfly stamp is retired, stamping up, stipple butterfly. Embossing powder is from Sparkle N Sprinkle stamps. Enjoy!

A few altered projects

Hello Stampers!

Pictures from the top to the bottom;

290 copic markers in a basket

Altered paint can view 1

Altered paint can view 2

Fathers day note book for hubby

Do you know any one else who has this many markers? I have been collecting them for the last year with my last purchase, 72D being made last week. ozzak.com has the best deals on them, I hope you'll check out their storefront.

And to answer the question before it is asked, no I still don't have all the colors, but I'm working on it!

Ms. Vivian's paint can is covered with patterned and solid paper, I used a edge punch and sponged all exposed edges with chocolate ink. It is filled with different Hershey nuggets and chocolates. I used a label die from spellbinders for the "V" which is cut from a sizix retired die called fun serif.

Bath salts recipe;

I used a small jar purchased from Michael's and added ten drops of essential oil (I used lily of the valley) I then used my ballet blue re-inker from Stamping up and added about eight drops to approximately 1 1/2 cups of Epsom salt. Seal the jar and shake well. You will need to shake the jar every day for 3 days so the color and scent are thoroughly mixed. After the three days of daily shaking the jar, smell the salts to see if you need to add more oil. If more oil is needed, add it and repeat the jar shaking for three more days. For the stamped tag, it is a new release from My favorite things. I color coordinated the tag with the color of the salts.

I hope you will try this project. It is so easily personalized to whom ever the intended gift recipient is. Not to mention it is a nice item to have just for yourself!

Craig hopefully will receive his orders for Keefler AFB in Michigan soon. He will be doing Network Integration for the US Airforce. Hopefully he will be allowed to take some leave and come home to visit for a while.

I hope everyone is having a great day, it is cool and raining here in Maryland. Our garden and grass as well as the new shrubs are enjoying a fresh drink from the heavens.

Have a great night! Stamp Happy!

A couple of cute cards!

Hi everyone! The card on the left is a Halloween card I made using the DCSW designer paper, plum card stock and white card stock. She is colored with copic markers. All stamps on this card are from Whipper Snapper designs, click here for their web sight. The card on the right with the little boy and cow are also Whipper Snapper Designer's stamps, I colored the image with the following copic markers: C1,C2,C3,C4,B00,B41,E33,E34,E02,R00,E02,RV29,T4 and t2. I will try my best to give you a list of the copic markers I use for my images. The slight yellow shadow behind the little boy was done with a yellow water color pencil and blending pen. For added dimension I used a pop dot for the sentiment and sponged the edges. The cowboy card is for Ms. Vivian, I'm her senior Angel. I hope she likes it! I hope you are all doing well. Stamp Happy!

A few pics of my craft room

Hi Stampers it is Tuesday!

Sorry for not posting the last few days, but I have been busy re-organizing my craft area. I have a three tiered desk that we use for homework and it is where my new cricut express will also live. I moved this desk over about 12 inches and moved the CD tower over against the side, it is much easier to access my main stamping area. The skirted table is where I do most of my work. I am not sure why the picture came out so dark, but the area is well lit. I'll be putting track lighting in over the table soon.

For those of you who are asking, my oldest son Craig is doing well. He has requested some leave before he starts his second school in July. He will be doing Networking and is really excited to get a great field with computers and technology. He is doing well and his morale seems high. I'll let you know if he gets to come home for a couple of weeks soon.

For those asking the blog candy questions, you may leave a comment anywhere on the blog, if you put my candy on your blog side bar you get your name in the hat an additional five times. I am having a blast watching the counter on the blog go up!

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather. Mike put in a new shrub hedge and planter in the front of our home and we are thinking of doing one down the side yard. One day we plan to put on an addition to our home and a privacy fence in the back yard. That would be so great.

Have a great day and I'll blog you later! Stamp Happy!