Taking a Step Back

I have decided that I won't delete this blog entirely, but I won't be posting to it in the near future, either. I've often wondered how many true readers I have. In my post yesterday I mentioned that I was at a crossroads and asked for comments or suggestions. LOL, I guess I got my answer because as of now, I still have no comments. That's okay, I never started this for anyone else, but for me.

I have already taken unsubscribed from the StampingTop50.com counter, and will be doing the same with the stamping.toplisted.net counter after I post this entry.

To those of you who have actually kept up with me here, I appreciate you and your support!!

At a Crossroads....

I don't know what to do. I haven't picked up a stamp in over a month, and I honestly don't see myself doing it anytime soon. I'm trying to be realistic with myself - my life when I am working fulltime and running two pre-teen/teenagers around for their sports and events doesn't leave much time for me. Once S is home, although the load will be easier on me, I then spend time with him too so again, no time for me. This is the way life has been and I don't see anything changing it in the foreseeable future.

So herein lies my crossroads. Why do I have this "stamping" blog if I'm not stamping? Do I change the name and make it center more about me and my life and drop in the occasional card if and when I get the time to stamp? Or do I completely give up the blog - do I really need and/or want to put my life out there on the line?

My answer to the latter question is no. I don't really want to put my whole life out there on the line anymore, nor do I believe it's anything everyone wants to read. I came very close earlier today to deleting all my counters and telling everyone to take off their links to me.... I haven't come to that yet, but I don't think it's too far away.

LOL, I'm so torn. I know the easy answer..... your input gladly accepted and appreciated!

A *very* Good Day!!!

LOL, no, I didn't get a chance to stamp but it's still been a great day!!

I got a job! Yay!! I start Wednesday. It is the smaller firm that I interviewed with last week that is close to the house. The offered, I counter-offered, and they accepted! Can't wait to start and have a stead income.... which leads me to my next subject....

OMG!! I am sooooooo in trouble and if you're a Stampin' Up! lover, you will be too! I thought the Spring mini last year was the best one yet, but this one is right there with it - Stampin' Up! does it again! The ribbons, the new tag punch, the die cuts, the kits, new papers, and of course - the stamps! The catty will start being delivered to customers mid-November and items in it will be available December 1 - February 28. Start saving your pennies (dollars!!) now!

Thank you for your continued support throughout my job search. There were many a day that I was down and dejected and was able to come to my SCS and bloggin' buddies for support. I appreciate you all very much.

Soon! I promise!!

I *PROMISE* to upload some pics this weekend - but first I have a *huge* favor to ask! Please say a little prayer, think good thoughts, whatever you do - that I will get favorable results today on my job interview. Yes, I am still searching for a permanent full time job, and I think I have finally found the match. I went on a first interview on Tuesday, and just finished with a second interview today. The firm is small - 5 attorneys - and soooooo close to my house I literally have a 10-15 minute drive. They are looking to fill this immediately so I should hear something back today. I hear I am the only one they called back for a second interview so it looks promising.

Thanks for your help, and thanks for coming back every day even though I don't have any new stampin stuff up. I really appreciate your support!

Off to the Fair

I have been settling down into the working mom roll. I *still* haven't had a chance to stamp although I get to stamp on my business cards this morning... at least it's stamping but *not* what I want to do!

I am on my way to the Carmel Mountain Ranch Fall Festival today to try to drum up some business. We're not selling anything handmade - we're promoting our businesses.

I still haven't done any parties since moving here and am at the moment my own best customer. LOL, I *really* don't mind having to buy stuff to stay active *grin* but with the changes to the demonstrator reimbursement plan that were made in July, I don't know if I will ever make money off of my downline again unless things change. I am hoping that going to the Festival today will start that change.

As for the job front. The 3rd interview went okay, I still don't know anything definite with them. I went to another firm that had a part time position I really wanted but they didn't want me. The firm I am temping with has asked if I would like to work with them full time. We are going to discuss things tomorrow. I would really love to put the uncertainty to rest!

I'll check in later tonight after the Fair!

Life Happens

Wow, I now realize why I enjoyed my summer of stamping so much - when I'm working and the kids are in school, I have no time to myself. I haven't had a chance to stamp in over two weeks and I'm dyin here! After I enter this blog, I'm heading to Michael's and JoAnn's. I have been eyeing the Marvy Uchida scallop punches with envy for a while now and just hadn't bought them because I couldn't justify spending the money. Now that I'm working I'm going to give myself a gift and I'm hoping to be able to use that gift later today!!


Speaking of work - I made it through the first week at my new job as a temp. I like the firm and the people, but they really don't have a lot of work for me to do. This is supposed to be a three to five week assignment, with no opportunity for a permanent position. HOWEVER!!! I have two - yup, two!!! interviews on Tuesday for permanent positions. One is with the original firm I interviewed with over a month ago - this will be the third time I will have interviewed with them - third time's the charm, right? I am also interviewing with a different firm for a secretarial/word processor position with the lead attorney in the firm. The appealing part about this position is that it's only part time. I have been told it would be around 30 hours a week. LOL, is this the "feast or famine" deal? Am I going to go from having nothing to being in a temp position and getting two offers? I would love to be able to hear from both of them that they are interested and that I get to choose between the two.


Got the wheels put on the truck - I love the look!

S says I "done good" and that it looks great. See below for the "before" picture.

OK, I'm outta here - I'm goin shoppin!

Jobs, Revisited

Well, it finally looks like it's official. I have a new job! It's not the firm, nor the money that I had wanted, but it's definitely better than the unemployment check that I've been collecting every two weeks! I begin at a firm in La Jolla tomorrow in an open-ended temporary position. This basically means that it *could* turn into a permanent position at some point in the future.

Although I'm not holding out much hope anymore, there is also still a slight possibility that the original firm I interviewed with will call with a permanent position. If and when they do, we'll figure it all out. I do know that if they do finally call they will be offering me about $12K a year more than the job I start at tomorrow - LOL, with that in mind, it's almost a no-brainer!

Thanks to all of you for your continued support during this time of struggle. You believed in me even when I began to doubt myself.

TahDah!!!

So here it is!! I got rid of the Pacifica and got my new Suburban!! I did all the dealing yesterday, but just brought the Suburban home today.

I'm so excited! I love it! C doesn't like the color, G is so-so - he thinks it is too big, but knows we really need it. I get custom wheels and new tires put on next week, part of the deal. I'm in heaven!

I know I will get some who say I shouldn't be driving such a big gas hog, etc. But I was actually getting worse gas mileage with the Pacifica than I will with this. And with my "growing" family - LOL, their height and size, not in numbers - I definitely am going to enjoy it!

We're in the middle of our "GG weekend" - see below - but I am hoping to be able to do some stamping tomorrow. I'm going through withdrawals!!

Crazy? Maybe....

So I'm putting it all out on the line right here - I *HATE* my new car! We bought a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica when we moved back to the states. We've made three - yep, that's right - three payments on it. And why am I crazy? Because I'm trading it in! Yep - hopefully today I will be getting rid of it and getting my new Suburban - LOL, the vehicle we originally wanted in the first place!

We opted not to get a Suburban because of the gas mileage and the price of gas. We thought we could make do with a smaller vehicle. Well, we can't make do with a smaller vehicle - we're a very tall family and our height all tends to be in our legs... and gas mileage? Let's just say that I will probably end up getting better mileage in the Suburban with it's V8 engine than I am in the Pacifica. Chrysler advertises the Pacifica to get 17 mph in the city, 25 on the highway. The most I have ever gotten was 19 when we first bought it, and I am currently getting 12.9!

More to follow on this later - I have to get the car cleaned up and head back to the dealer this morning.

As for jobs - still no news. S says not to stress and worry about it, but I can't help it. I am so frustrated! I know there is a reason for this - for me not getting one yet - but for the life of me I can't figure it out!

I haven't stamped in days - I'm going through withdrawals! C and I have been having a Gilmore Girls marathon because Season 6 came out on video this week and Season 7 starts next week. We have 17 more episodes left to watch before next Tuesday. As much as I love "GG" - I need to stamp!!

Jobs...

I have been frustrated as all get out this past week as I still didn't have any good news about jobs. The firm I had done two interviews with supposedly wanted me but couldn't hire me due to some restructuring, I interviewed with another firm for a temp position and they didn't want me, and a third firm that I had been told I would start with on Monday decided I didn't have enough "recent" experience and didn't want me.

So I was feeling down, my feelings were definitely bruised - I have *never* had this hard of a time finding a job. C and I went clothes shopping the other night and even though I liked some of the outfits I tried on, my heart wasn't in it and I just couldn't bring myself to buy anything.

Friday afternoon at about 5:15 I received a telephone call. It seems the original firm really *is* interested. They would like me to come in and work as a temp between the two offices. We are assuming it is probably their "try before you buy" type thing and if it works out they will offer me full time employment. I will hear more about it on Monday but it looks like I will be starting sometime this week.

So what did I do since I was in a better mood? I went shopping! C and I went back out today and boy did I strike gold! I ended up getting over $500 worth of clothes out the door for $260. They were having a huge sale on work slacks, a lady standing next to me in line gave me a coupon that saved me $75, and for the heck of it I applied for their in-house credit card and received an additional 20% off. LOL, I don't want the card, and if I do get approved for it will cancel - I only wanted the discount!

So, it looks like I should finally join the ranks of the gainfully employed again this week. Thanks for all your well wishes and "happy thoughts." They have been very much appreciated!

Back to Basics

I haven't been able to stamp in the past few days because I've been busy with so many other things - job interviews, getting some maintenance and repairs done to my car, etc. Today C and I went shopping for work clothes for me (job info to follow) and I was finally able to sit down and play tonight.

I wanted something quick... I wanted something basic... This flower stamp was sitting out on my desk from the last time I played. As I was sitting here literally playing with the stamp - turning it over and over in my hand - I wondered what it would look like if I stamped it in two colors - so I grabbed the nearest pad - Bashful Blue and then decided I wanted to try the combination below. I loved the color combination - Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue - and this is what I came up with. Fast, easy, basic layout and concept.


This is where I am most happiest - quick and easy cards. It's the reason my site is named Simply Stamping. It's not for "the only thing you're going to get here is stamping" it's for "this was done so easily and quickly."

I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the orange over the blue. I wonder what I have done without this darn thing all these years. I know - I eyeballed - but I have always been anal about how my stamps line up and have often been disappointed with my results - so to me, this little gadget is a Godsend.

The bottom layer is Pumpkin Pie with both Linen and Weathered stamped on it. I love the look that you get from double stamping background images.

I purposely didn't clean the Linen stamp very good so that when I inked it again with Bashful Blue and stamped on the blue cardstock, I got some muddy colors.

For the ribbon I used the Seaside Ribbon Originals from SU! and put a small amount of ink from the pumpkin marker on the white stitching - mainly because I stamped my main image on vanilla instead of white and I didn't like the contrast.

So, here are the supplies - all from SU!:

Stamps: Bodacious Bouquet, IBB, Linen, Weathered, AYCI
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Seaside Ribbon Originals, Cutter Kit, Pumpkin Pie marker, SAMJ

Thanks for looking! I'll post about job results separately!

Do the Hula Rock

*grin* I'm sitting here with that darn song stuck in my head and can't get it out. Somebody help me, quick!

I think as long as I'm not working and have time to stamp I am now officially glued to the SCS challenges! This is my version of Sketch Challenge 89 *and* Beate's technique of the week - Rock-N-Roll.

I had seen some patterned paper at my LSS recently and almost bought it, but realized I could make almost the exact same thing with my stamps. I used Weathered background and Hula to make the background paper. I stamped Weathered first by finger walking it onto the cardstock. I then inked the flower in Marigold Morning and then lightly rolled the edges in Cranberry Crisp before stamping.

I watercolored the hula girl on watercolor paper with aquapainters and classic inks. I love to just squeeze the pad before opening it so that ink transfers to the lid. I then just use the lid as my palette.

The layer under our dancer was scrunched up and then after straightening it out I dabbed brown ink on it.

All supplies SU! unless noted:

Stamps: Do the Hula, Weathered, Linen, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Cardstock: Cranberry Crisp, Very Vanilla, Marigold Morning, Watercolor
Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, True Thyme, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Aquapainters, Making Memories brads

Thanks for looking!

My Obsession!

Okay - I have to admit stamping/scrapbooking and Splitcoast are my first obsessions, but I'm talking about my *other* obsession!

There's this awesome website that is run by National Geographic. It's called Pete's Pond. It is a pond in the middle of Africa with webcams on it and you can watch all the wildlife coming to the pond to drink. I have seen some other feeds from different sites where they take pictures every few seconds and update them - Pete's Pond is different - it is streaming video.

I got hooked on this thing last year and then they stopped it in December because the rainy season had come back to Africa and the animals wouldn't be coming to the pond as much. I have been faithfully checking every few days to see if they would start the video at the pond back up and lo and behold - we have contact! Within the last week or so, National Geographic has started the live feed again.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again! What I'm saying is - if at first you don't see any animals - don't give up! I have seen lions, crocs, zebras, elephants, hyenas, water buffalo, ostriches, gazelle - the list goes on and on. It is something that the entire family can enjoy!

So enough with the spiel Karen, where's the link? LOL, I'm sure that's what y'all are saying by now!

Here ya go - Enjoy!

Pete's Pond

Bodacious Dream

So I had this dream.... *grin* - not really.

I am daydreaming about the fact that I'm still jobless and am supposed to find out something today though. It's been over two weeks since I went in for my first interview and over a week since I went back for the second one. I know they got my background report because I got a copy of it on Thursday. I'm still *sooooo * stressed over this! So what have I been doing to ease the stress? STAMP - of course!

I'm really trying to do more of the challenges on SCS. I loved the new color combination one that Emily posted today. - Real Red, Almost Amethyst and Bashful Blue. I combined it with the sketch challenge from yesterday and came up with this card.

I am loving the little Cutter Kit tool that Stampin' Up! has in the new catty. I have been distressing just about everything lately! And the new ribbons... well, suffice it to say that I will be buying more as soon as I get my first real paycheck!

This card also uses a technique called Finger Walking. Ink up a backgrond stamp and then lay it on your desk, rubber side up. Lay your cardstock over the top of it and then just tap your fingers around on top of it - you don't want to fully ink the whole piece of CS, just randomly move around so that the ink is darker in some places, and others won't get any ink at all.

All supplies SU!.

Stamps: Bodacious Bouquet, Linen, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Everyday Flexible Phrases

CS: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Real Red, Bashful Blue

Ink: Same as above

Accessories: Cutter Kit, Hodgepodge Hardware, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals

Well, need to go check on my not-so-young'un.... He has a recurring problem with a thumb that gets dislocated very easily. It has been recommended that he have surgery but he doesn't want to be out from basketball as long as it would take for the recovery process. In his defense, it hasn't dislocated since maybe January, but he did it pretty bad at school today lifting weights. I picked him up and had him pop it back into place, and told him if it popped back out I was taking him to the doctor. He is in the other room asleep with ice on it, and so far, it has not popped back out. Keeping our fingers crossed!

Up to the Challenge?

I had some more scraps of my blossoms sitting around and wanted to do something with them so I decided to do another weave. This is a very toned down version of Sketch Challenge 88 on Splitcoast Stampers. I kind of cheated in that the heart, as the fourth layer, is *supposed* to be on top of the weave, not straddling both layers.

Oh well, at least I did something! I initially thought that if I put the little white x's it would look somewhat like stitching and quilting - carrying forth the weave/quilt of the layer. I guess it does but if I were to do it over again, I'm not sure I would put them on there.

Supplies used - all supplies Stampin' Up! unless noted:

Stamps: Print Patter, Linen, Blossoms Abound, Wonderful Words

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Green Galore, Gable Green, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Accents, White Signo Gel Pen, Making Memories Brads

I definitely feel better now. Much better than during my previous post.

Where Were You? - Reflections

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children?
Or working on some stage in LA?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor?
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride
For the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things
He gave usAnd the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children?
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?
Speak with some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent home movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

And the greatest is Love
And the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

I *still* cry every time I hear this beautiful song by Alan Jackson. In fact, I'm typing through tears now. I believe September 11th affected us all, and will continue to do so, but for me - and many other military wives and families - it has completely changed our lives in ways that some just wouldn't understand.

Rewind to that day. I remember sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. I distinctly remember thinking, "Wow, this is kinda nice. Today is the first day in a long time that I have some time to myself. " The kids were back in school, my hubby had left over the weekend to go to Mayport, FL - he was on an inspection team that happened to be on the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier that day. The TV was off, I was enjoying some quiet time.

Next thing I know the phone is ringing. My mother-in-law was frantic. I didn't even get a "Good morning, how are you?" It was, "How's this going to affect S?" "Um, how's what going to affect him, Mom?" She proceeded to explain as I turned on the TV, and right as I did the second plane went into the tower.

I sat paralyzed and glued to my seat in front of the television. Word came quickly about the other two planes - the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. It was also quickly announced that the JFK, which was on routine work-ups off the coast of Florida, had been re-routed to NYC. My hubby eventually got off the ship before it ended up in NYC - but we did have a communication blackout for almost a week.

I can't imagine what it was like for the families that lost loved ones. However, I do know what it's like to have loved ones in places of danger . The dread and fear that accompany those feelings are completely different ones that I wish upon no one.

So how did my life change because of 9/11? My husband, after serving almost 20 years in the Marine Corps and never having actually been to a "war" or skermish, left for Iraq - the first time in 2004. He "celebrated" his 20 year anniversary with the Corps, and our 17th wedding anniversary while there. He was home for little over a year and is now back there again. He will "celebrate" our 19th anniversary while there also.

He goes because it is his job. As we grow older, our values and our minds change - we see things differently than we did years ago. I had a family member say to me not too long ago, "He's been in for 22 years. Why don't they send the young ones?" Well, they do. But, who is going to train and mentor the young ones? They need our senior military members to guide them and be there with them. That's why he's there.

I had an assignment a few years back - at SU! Leadership as a matter of fact - that was to make a list of the people in leadership positions that we most respected. Many people were putting down people such as Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan, Shelli Gardner, etc. And while I do respect many of those people also, the person at the top of the list was my hubby. I have seen him with his troops over the years, and I have talked with so many people who truly respect him and say that he has changed their lives for the better. That's why he's there...

As a mother, it has been difficult recently for me to hear these words from my oldest - "Mom, I want to follow Dad and join the Marines." His father and I have talked about it a lot over the years and I think deep down we both knew it was inevitable. My son goes on to say "I don't want to be a grunt, I want to do what Dad does." "I know that unless things change in the next couple of years, I will be going to Iraq." Wow... as a wife I handle it - as a mother I don't know what I would do! By the time he joins and would go, his dad will most likely be retired and home with me for good. At least then I'll have some support here at home.

I sit back and reread what I have written today and I see no succession or point. It looks to me like a lot of rambling. I don't really seem to get the point that I was trying to make across. It does feel good to get it out though.

Guess I need to go stamp....

Weavin' all over...

If I were driving I think I would be weaving all over the road. I'm dead tired - it's been a long day - but I wanted to get this last one finished.

While I was trimming pieces off of the other cards I made today I started playing around with a weave. I liked how the pieces were coming together so I decided to stamp a couple more pieces of cardstock with Blossoms Abound, cut them up, and see what I could come up with. Above is my end result. From the very beginning all I wanted was the weave pattern without anything over it - I envisioned it as a quilt background when I started on it.

The little piece of ribbon was left over from an earlier project - and believe it or not, that's my *first* prima! I have four bottles that have been sitting on my desk for months - they were too pretty to open and use! I finally broke down and opened them a while back but still hadn't used them. The one I did end up using was a blue - maybe around the shade of Not Quite Navy or Buckaroo Blue? I just laid it on the Vintage Violet stamp pad to get it to match the color that I wanted.

I think it's sort of understated, but exactly what I was looking for. I even cut the edges of the Violet so that it is a frame around the weave.

All Supplies SU! unless stated:

Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Happy Everything, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Cardstock: Naturals White, Vintage Violet, True Thyme
Inks: Certainly Celery, True Thyme, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet - classics
Accessories: Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals, Hodgepodge Hardware, Prima flower

Thanks for looking! It's time to catch some zzzzzz's.

Challenge Fun

I'm having fun playing with my stamps today and remembered that I have been wanting to try this sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers. The challenge is *only* two weeks old - better late than never, huh?

I had seen somewhere that someone had used Almost Amythest with Vintage Violet and liked the results, so I thought I would give it a try. I am pleased with this card, and since it's probably the last one I will get to do today, I'm ending on a happy note!

My oldest is at his first drivers' ed class and I have to go pick him up soon. I'm not sure what else we have in store for the day - who knows? maybe I'll get to come back and play some more.

Another fun note - since we don't have the markers to match the In Colors, I had to try to figure out a way to get my sentiment to match VV... I used Bravo Burgundy and then Night of Navy over it - together the two match just about perfectly! The brads really are even - it just photo'd weird.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:

Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Eat Cake

Cardstock: Naturals White, Almost Amethyst, True Thyme, Vintage Violet

Ink: Certainly Celery, True Thyme, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet (all Classic)Accessories: Cutter Kit to distress, Word Window, Bravo Burgundy and Night of Navy markers Hodgepodge Hardware, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals.

Thanks for looking - have a great weekend!

Accidental Beauty

Do you ever try a technique or maybe a color and decide you don't like it and put it aside? I know you do... I think we all do. But do you throw it away or keep it? As I have said before, I don't tend to throw much away - my desk is covered with clutter and small pieces of cardstock!

Yesterday when I was playing with faux shaving cream, I thought I would try it on a background stamp. I inked the Linen background stamp with Certainly Celery, and *tried* to get the swirls with Green Galore - it didn't work. That is, it didn't work to my liking for the card I was trying to work on, so I put it aside and went in a different direction.

Fast forward to today. I wanted to play with blues and greens. I was getting ready to stamp on white cardstock when I noticed the green background that I had made yesterday... hmmm, the wheels start turning in my head - wonder what it would look like if I stamped over it?!

The above card is what I came up with, and I love the main image. The flowers stamped over it beautifully! I still feel like it could use something up at the top, but I didn't want to cover too much of the image.

I used a piece of the On Board Chipboard and just dyed it with my Buckaroo Blue classic pad. I also dyed white grosgrain ribbon with True Thyme to get the colored ribbon I wanted.

Supplies: - All supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Cardstock: Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme
Ink: Certainly Celery, Green Galore, Bashful Blue, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme, Mellow Moss - all classic pads
Accessories: On Board Chipboard, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Cutter Kit

Thanks for looking!

Halloween Fun

This one I like. LOL, figures - it uses background papers. I have been getting into them so much more now - especially since I have finally decided to cut them up... I have kept my papers in pristine condition - I don't like cutting them, they're too pretty to look at. *grin* - guess you could call me a hoarder. A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and actually cut into one of my sets - and now there's no stopping me!

This one actually just used scraps from something else I had done - I believe it was the notecards. I tend to throw *nothing* away - maybe if I did my desk would be a little cleaner once in a while!

I also double dyed my ribbon on this one, so it is two-sided. Take white grosgrain ribbon and use your daubers and pastel chalks. I didn't have daubers so I used cotton balls - a little messier - you can see smears of chalk if you click on the card - but I achieved the same result. I used Only Orange and Green Galore.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:
Cardstock: Green Galore - base, Only Orange, Dots & Dashes
Stamps: Trick Or Treat
Classic Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Green Galore
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Pastels, Cutter Kit - the cutter blade to make a hole at the top of the card to put the ribbon through.