I've been Published!

  

 

     It is so cool seeing my art in print! I have three cards in the Just Cards Holidas! 2010 Volume 2

     You can see my creations on the following pages:

29,61 and 67.

    Other local ladies include Mary (who not only made the cover but has 5 cards in this issue) Amanda, Tracy and I round off the Maryland ladies. I am so proud of each of you guys as well. Big Congratulations!

Thank you for the many emails, I still have two more spots open for emails on the question "When did I first start blogging? If you know the answer, please look and drop me a line.

     Those ladies who have contacted me will be receiving a hand made card by me and some goodies in an envelope, hopefully these will go postal in the next week.

     Mini blog candy will be drawn on September 2, the winner will receive an altered item and ribbon.

     KOTM coming soon, My friend Cindy of http://www.memorymakingcrafts.com/ will be featuring a fun Halloween kit made by me for your enjoyment. It will feature a fun Halloween theme and I guarantee that you will enjoy this one! I will be posting a sneak preview in the next coming weeks.

    Stamp Happy and be a blessing to others!

Picture of the big "Ouch" -- Lights!

 

 Just in case you didn't notice, there isn't alot of skin there, it is mostly raw "meat", I do feel sorry for him, but this owie has been weeping all day, I am going to have to re-dress the wound tonight, I just finished cleaning it out and applying an antibiotic ointment, I want him to allow this to dry out a few hours before the re-dressing. Nasty wound there Chad! p.s. Chad's current status is 138# and 6'2 1/2" My mojo is off today, I am very tied for some strange reason but sometimes that is just life.OK pictures of my new lights:  

  Lights!  My husband is so great, I know I have the best man on the planet.  I have been wanting some track lights over my new die cutting area ever since I re-designed this area.  Remember the large over sized desk that took up too much room in the basement?  I don't miss that monstrosity. The track lights are actually adjustable and have a dimmer switch.  In order to keep things neat, Mike put small electrical clips over the wires to keep them from hanging.  When he put the switch on the cord, he made sure it would match the one over my desk I use for shooting video's.  I hid (some what) the electrical tape he has holding them together with ribbon, Its pretty cute.  I must put in here it is also very practical! Mini blog candy will be drawn on September 2, remember I'm giving away some Magnolia images and some ribbon.  Stay tuned, my blog-a-versary is coming up soon and there will be give-a-ways and fun prizes, contests and more during the 10 days.  Your homework is to look up and find out when my first post was, the first five to email me at ms.rhetta@gmail.com will receive a personalized card and envelope of small goodies from me. Stamp Happy, be a blessing!

Happy Halloween

 Hi everyone; What drama we had in our home last night! Chad went to the pool on his bicycle and on the way home didn't pay attention to what he was doing and crashed the bike onto the hard payment. He called us from his cell (very upset and bleeding) so Mike and I went to the rescue.  I walked out the house with no purse, no shoes, just a rag and some towels to "access" the damage. We arrived to find Chad visible shaken, with a gash to his hand, I knew immediately it meant a trip to the local Urgent care center.

We came home and grabbed purse, ID, etc., and headed off to the Medical center. Five stitches later and cleaning of all the road rash sights we made it home after 11:00 pm.  That was a grand total of 3 hours at the facility.  They even took a precaution and Xray'd  his hand. Today he is fine, shaken (not stirred, ha ha) and very stiff and sore.  Unfortunately the bike is going to need some major repairs due to the force of the impact with the ground. Today is much more settled, I decided to do a bit of Halloween stamping.  It is hard to believe it is time to stamp for the Fall/Halloween season.  I used this trick or treat stamps from Kraftin Kimmie stamps.  A link to her challenge blog is on my side bar. Please let her know I recommended you to visit her great store and blog.  Her images are just adorable. Have a great weekend, keep your nose clean and your knees un-skinned!  Be a blessing!  Mini Blog candy, Some ribbon and stamped Magnolia images will be drawn September 2.  

Coffee anyone?

  

  I made this cute card for a coffee swap.  I had a really great time matching up the designer paper with the stamp.  She is from Crafting Kimmie Stamps.  I used actual coffee beans as embellishments, the cards smell so good! I only have one more set of cards to do for this swap.   I found out today that Magnolia stamps has a brand spanking new magazine called "Magnolia Ink", I hear it is not new, but I sure do like it! Now, I just need *want* more stamps! Have a great evening and stamp happy!   

big shot pro tabbed albumn die -- reminder of mini blog candy!

Please check the side bar of my blog, and click this link for Memory Making Crafts she has a great store front and you will be seeing my work on her website and soon to be blog.   Her prices are fantastic and we have begun to develop a wonderful friendship and working relationship.

First mini blog prize will be some Magnolia images and ribbon, please leave a comment any where on my blog for a chance to win.  Blog candy mini will be drawn on September 2.

Yes, I was lazy and sat the mini scrap book up on my computer to take the pictures, it was the ultimate in lazy, but I was busy eating Reese's cups and drinking soda.  No wonder I'm so blasted heavy.  Hey my fat is my friend.

On a side note, the depression issue has very much lifted, I thank God for the correct medications, a great doctor and a wonderful professional counselor.

The magnolia image is actually the front of the book, and the back of the book is the three hearts, the other pages shown are in no particular order.

Would you like a custom magnolia mini album of your very own?  Click my tip jar and donate $20.00 and I'll send you one in your choice of colors, just let me know when you make the payment what you would like.

Have a great Wednesday evening and be a blessing to someone.  Stamp Happy!

The Big Shot Pro!

5

  Hello my crafty friends!It is finally here, My Big Shot Pro machine.  It has been dubed the cadiallac of all die cutters and it does every thing my big shot express does on a much grander scale.

My first project uses The  Box, Tall w/ Scallop Flap #656521. I embellished the box by cutting the scallop flap out of a scrap of paper and layering onto the box.  The scalloped tag is a nestabilities die and the stamp is from Magnolia Rubber stamps. I sponged the edges of the box using memento Angel Pink ink.  I re-enforced all of the scores with my bone folder before sponging.  The box is finished simply with a ribbon.  The image is colored with copic markers. I will be selling this die Pre-cut  here on the blog, you have your choice of solid colors, pink, purple, blue, brown, red, green -- OK, you name it I probably own it.  If you would like a "grab" bag of these boxes, just put "Grab bag, box, tall with scallop flap" and I will send you an assortment.  You will receive 10 pre-cut bags plus some ribbon to match the paper (while supplies last) for $20.50 shipping will be via USPS priority mail and will be $5.95.  If you would like this box, please click on the tip jar to purchase. These boxes will come plan and not assembled, you fold and decorate to your wishing.  If you want custom made boxes, please email me privately at ms.rhetta@gmail.com for a quote. When using the tip jar which is linked to my pay pal account, please note, be sure your mailing information is correct, if you are sending this as a gift, please put the shipping name and information into the comments box on the payment screen.  Have a great evening and I hope you will all enjoy some creative time.  Stamp Happy and be a blessing!  

Loretta answer's a few questions!

Here is the latest question I received: "Beautiful box Loretta! I love that floral printed ribbon! Do you sell this? The whole presentation of your box is stunning! How do I go about ordering one of your monthly kits? Thanks for any info." Hugs, Cami The box Cami is referring to can be found by clicking here. Thanks so much Cami for the beautiful comment and the question.  Yes I can include this as a kit of the month.  This is a sizzix die, box with lid, and is cut out of black giltter DCSW paper.  The ribbon is from my local craft store.  I used a safety pin to attach the sentiment.  Once again the butterfly is stamped into an CG6000 transparency using versa mark ink and embossed with silver embossing powder, then the butterfly is cut out with sharp scissors, (I stamped it twice so I could layer it together) and the body is actually sewn together with black thread and attached directly to the ribbon so it didn't come off.   I will post pictures next week, I need to re-shoot the how to stamp butterflies (3D) onto transparency film next week, so stay tuned for that!  Hopefully I will be able to publish some more video's soon. Have a great Tuesday, be blessed, bless others and stamp happy!   

elegant thank you

This beautiful and elegant thank you card is really easy to re-create.

The Card base is A2, the white embossed cuttle bug layer measures 4 X 5 1/4", it is over stamped with brilliance ink with a Hampton Arts flower and then heat set.  I applied a drop of yellow stickles.  The ovals are both cut from nestabilities dies, also over stamped with the brilliance ink.  The sheet music is printed onto a CG6000 transparency and cut to fit.   It is applied to the card using two brads up at the top and attached to the card white base using pop dots.

This one is diffently heading out for possible publication.  It came out very pretty!

On a side note, I may be going back to work, you know that thing where they pay you money?  Honestly it is the kind of job I may come to really love.  I have an interview on Friday.  I hope that it goes well.  I am very excited at the prospects.

A quick post note, check out this blog:
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com/

She did an excellent job with the last kit of the month (a tag  book) that I sent to her, it came out so wonderful, I wanted to share it with everyone, Thanks Ramona!! You Rock!!

Stamp Happy and many blessings!

Anniversary

 These puppies gave me a bit of trouble.  No it isn't stamped crooked, but it sure is crooked on the scanner and after several attempts to get it straightened out, I gave up and got on with my crafting.
I am doing these invitations for a 50th anniversary party, this is my  first "proof" of consept and it uses an A2 gatefold die from sizzix. I used black card stock and white card stock.  The vellum is emvossed using a cutttlebug folder and it is attached to the white base using two small brads.  The white base is attached to the card using pop dots. Please forgive this short post, it has been a wild week around here and I am looking forward to some down time. Stamp Happy and many blessings!  

Shrinky dink Magic!

Hello my friends!

     Today's post is all about Shrink Plastic, click here to watch the video tutorial. Please keep in mind that on the video I am shrinking stamped butterflies, however the process for shrinking anything is the same.

     The dies used today are also from Sizzix.  The cute little tiny elf is a stamp from Michael's Recollections stamps.  I stamped him using staz on ink and colored with copic markers.  The image is then carefully cut from out and shrank down using a heat tool.

     I feel it necessary to tell you guys, when you are crafting use common sense and reasonable caustion when working with tools, hot things are hot, sharp things will cut and mechanical things will rip out your hair.  So keep your hair pined up, your digits in check and just be careful.

     I was thrilled to visit with my friend April today, her son Jordan and Chad enjoyed some time at the pool and playing Wii.We enjoyed lunch at Don Pablo's and and afternoon stamping and crafting away.

     Stamp Happy and many blessings!

  

Christmas -- In August?!!!

       

Just a quick blog post for this weekend.

The cute little ginger breed man is from sizzix, he is a retired die, and is cut from shrinky dink plastic, he is colored on the rough side with E33 copic marker and a darker brown color pencil.  The "icing" is some baby white rick rack.

The very adorable reindeer is a new sizzix die, I cut only the raindeer (without the eye or antlers) colored with the same copic markers and water color pencils, the tree is a yellow sizzix die called "tree,pine", I am not sure if it is retired or not, but I cut it from patterned paper, used stickles to decorate and attached it to a domino, which is attached to a pin back. 

Unfortunately, I am out of pin backs, darn my luck that means a trip out to my favorite craft store!

Oh did I tell you guys, if you are in the local Laurel/Ft. Meade area we are getting a HOBBY LOBBY, my friend Barb called tonight to varify my voice mail to her, apparently I was so excited my voice came off as a squeal!

I am not sure when it will open, but I've already put in an on-line application to teach classes there.  They are located on Route 198 (also known as Laurel Fort Meade Road) in the Super Target shopping center where the old Regency Furniture store was located.  Let me tell you, it is a pretty good size store, so I have high expectations for this location, I bet they'll put Michael's out of business!

I hope you have a great weekend, Stamp Happy and enjoy many blessings!

You can stamp on anything!

Hello stampers,

I don't know if you can tell by the pictures, but these are not tumbled marble tiles, they have a flat smooth top finish.  Stamp the images with staz on ink, and color with copic markers, try not to let them 'touch' or the ink will certainly fade out or transfer to the marker, not pretty.

I stamped and heat set each tile, then took them outside for a quick spray with a low gloss acrylic sealer, allowed that to dry throughly and attached felt pads to the bottom for protection of the furniture. These are a gift for a friend.

OK blog candy continues, I should say mini candy, Second candy will be drawn next week, August 12 this one will be a small acrylic stamp set and a kit of the month.  Please remember to email me at ms.rhetta@gmail.com if you are interested in a kit. 

Now onto some of your questions:  Currently I have started taking Desipramine .  I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each of you to take the time and read the information available on the websight.  There are some great insights and observations.  This is the second time I have tried this medication, I took it for two years after the divorce of my first husband, and I combined it with counseling.  Once I was back on track I was able to wean off the medications. 

Fast forward 13 + years, and I am re-starting counseling, and have been on the Medication for the last few months, with very good results.  I am so proud to be able to have a Savior and Lord who cares my physical and mental well being enough to keep me safe and secure in his love.

Stamp happy, be well!

Beautiful 3D Butterfly card -- mini blog candy winner is..

  

The mini blog winner is :  JoAnn said...


It has been so much fun watching the videos about the CHA. I was just going to let you know that Prima had live classes that they recorded on U-Stream you may want to watch. I had so much fun chatting with the lady's while watching the classes. Donna had one class and Marion with a couple others. It was great. Gina made some great videos as well. Just thought I would share.

  Yes, Joanne, I think I have watched ton's of videos on CHA as well, they are all good.  Your goodies probally arrived today, I was tardy posting the candy winner, so please accept my apologies.

  Today's project is not a hard one to accomplish.  This one will be mailed to Just cards for possible publication.

  Start with a card base in black that measures a standard 5 1/2 X 4 1/4" folded.  Layer on top a piece of white quality card stock that measures 5 1/4" X 4". 

  Over stamp the bottom edge of both the white and black cardstock with Cameo coral Brillance ink, heat set.  Print sheet music from 8notes.com onto a transparency (the sticky side) and trim to fit front of card.  It is attached at the top with two black brads that you can not see because of the ribbon.

  The flower is a new Mulberry paper rose from Recollections, Stamp image is hero arts and the butterfly is pxb.  Stamp the butterfly twice using the same ink, and smear the back of the wings with the same ink. 

 Heat set, cut apart the body from the wings allowing only one "top and bottom" portion to remain.  Adhear together using E6000 glue allow to dry.  Then using the same glue perch the butterfly atop the flower.  Embellish with glitter, and you're done!

  I hope you have enjoyed today's project and will give 3-D butterflies a try of your own.

     
Stamp Happy and have a great day!  

Is it coffee yet?

Isn't this an adorable image?  She is from Krafting Kimmee stamps, to order images from her company, just click on the challenge blog blinkie on the right hand side of the blog, it will take you right to her fantastically funny and fun whimsey stamps, they are so terrific!

Today has been a quiet day, it rained much of the morning for which we are really thankful, it has been so dry and hot here for the last several months. 

Speaking of rain, our tomatoes continue to do really well.  On a side note, the KOTM will be availabe until the end of August.  Please join in on the fun!

Have a great day, stamp happy!