Any Size Card-VC Rocks Blog Hop

I am so glad you joined me from Terri's blog.  Wasn't that just the cutest??  Terri does so many awesome things.

I just love VCRocks, they challenge me to keep stamping and blogging-no matter what.   I was wasn't able to sleep Wednesday night-so what is a girl to do??  Why she signs up to make a card for a blog hop; isn't that what everybody does??  No, just me? OK.

Once again, I am going to prove the best invention and investment is a Big Shot.  Why is that you ask?  Not only did I sign up to do a blog hop with this wonderful groups of ladies, but I did it in the middle of the night-before going away with my husband.  Thanks to the Big Shot I had a handy dandy card made in less than 10 minutes.  Most of that was searching for supplies (can we say messy craft room?). Any how....

here is my card-not the best photo since it was taken with my cell phone as I was running out the door.

I cut the card base with two layers of Night of Navy card stock using the Top Note die. (I snail on the left side for it to open).  I used the Fun Flowers die to cut the flower from retired card stock, and I embossed the petals with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

I quickly put the flower together with a black glitter brad.  A thank you verse from a retired set I had on my shelf to put away stamped with white Staz-On.

Once again I have managed to prove there is always time for cardmaking even if you only have 10 minutes.

Now, that you are tired of hearing my many ramblings, head on over to Eileen's blog, she has some really fun stuff for you to check out.

Until next time,

Blue Awash With Flowers

Here is a card I made for a VC Rocks challenge.  It was to used black and white and one spot of color.  I had been itching to use this set for something!  I knew right where the color would go.  I originally thought of using Real Red with the black and white.  Then I thought how that combination gets used all the time and I wanted something different.  I had Tempting Turquoise sitting on my desk from something else-so that's what I used.  The verse is from the hostess set Precious Butterflies (contact me to learn how to earn it).  Next, three black brads were used for another focal point.

After coming up with this card, I needed some cards for a swap I was participating in with fellow demonstrators.  I discovered I didn't have enough brads for 10 cards.  That's ok, any "mistake" is a chance for an alteration or another layer.  So I decided to make a black butterfly using the Big Shot.

It just goes to show it doesn't take owning "everything" in the catalog to make beautiful cards or scrapbook pages! Shhhh I won't tell your husband if you won't tell mine and we can still order all the toys we want!

Until next time,

Final VC Rocks Bloghop 2011-Punches Galore

I can't believe it is coming to the end of the summer and the end of VC Rocks!  It won't belong before the kids of the neighborhood are standing on our corner waiting for the bus.  This is our last bloghop for 2011.  "Punches Galore" says it all.  It's all about the punches.  Wasn't the project at Shari's blog wonderful?  She always has great ideas to share.

Children everywhere have new clothes for school. So that means I need a new purse.  My boys never understood why I had so many purses.  Purses always fit. Boys don't understand that saying but girls certainly do.  So here is a purse that I will be making for several occasions in September.  It even has chocolate! (You didn't expect me to go without chocolate did you?)

These purses are great.  They start with a 6"x6" square of DSP.  I had some a hostess pack that was already pre-cut to 6"x6".  Yippee, anything to save time right.  The band on the top of the purse is Very Vanilla cut 3 1/2"x1/2".  I used stamped the latch of the purse on Very Vanilla using the stamp set Four Frames and punched it out using the Decorative Label.  The flowers were colored with Certain Celery and Pretty In Pink markers.  The latch of the purse has a small piece of velcro under it for the closure.

Here is the inside of the purse holding a small Hershey bar.  The ones that come 8 per package for about $1.00.  This is going to be a gift for the ladies in my stamp club.
Most of them are teachers and  I think they will need some chocolate about the second week of school when we meet again.

My second project features the hostess set Precious Butterflies.  I just love butterflies!  I even have milkweed in my garden to help them.
I used Melon Mambo because it is so bright and cheery and we have had lots of rain lately with gray skies; so I needed a little pick me up. I stamped the background with versa mark along with the ring of butterflies on a scrap piece of paper.  I punched the ring of butterflies out with the 1 3/4" circle punch. I sprayed the circle with a combination of Frost White shimmer paint and alcohol.  It has a wonderful sheen to it that the camera has a hard time picking up.  Hopefully, if you click on the close up, it will show.

Hop on over to Diane's blog and check out the awesome project she has.  If you want to start at the beginning of the hop and see all the participants-start here at VC Rocks! blog.

Until next time,

Mirror Images with Elizabeth Kratzer

Once again I am going to brag about my awesome group VC Rocks. Since it is a Virtual Convention, not only are there swaps, but also classes.  Elizabeth Kratzer taught Mirror Images the other day.  She did an awesome job and made it so simple to make beautiful cards.  I needed a masculine card so I went to my favorite retired stamp set Serengeti.

Elizabeth taught us to use the stamp-a-ma-jig to make a reflection of an animal.  So I stamped the lion on Whisper White and sponged all the colors on. Hopefully, the man it is going to will like it.

Until next time,

VC Rocks Blog Hop 3, 2011 Antyhing But A Card

Here we go, hoppin' again!  I hope you hopped over here from Marisol's blog. Did she have such great ideas. Or if you hopped on my page first, you can get a complete list of all the participants here.

This month's blog hop is anything but a card.  One of my all time favorite categories ever!  I actually have two items for you today.  One is all about me!  Awhile back on the internet I found a few sites that people had made custom covers for their iPhone.  We for my phone (not an iPhone), I had gone thru a couple covers and breaking them when I had dropped my phone.  Don't worry my phone was fine, the covers-not so much....So I just gave up and stopped buying covers.  Until...so I had to search online for a clear cover, because the mall didn't have one.

I took out the cardboard insert that came with the cover and traced it on to Whisper White card stock.  Next, I got out my Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise and  Wild Wasabi stamp pads along with the set Flower Fest.  My name is a custom stamp I had made a long time ago before I knew about Stampin Up.  Maybe it is time for me to get a new one from Stampin Up.  Did you know they could make custom name stamps as well?

My second idea that is a SUPER SIMPLE idea that could be added to a spa gift  basket that you made yourself of course. (Hmm... maybe I need to make some bath salts in jars and decor elements)  I bought emery boards from the big department store.  Make sure they are brand that doesn't have the name stamped on them already.  I used the small solid flower from Just Believe.  I used the same inks as I did on my phone cover and randomly stamped the tan side of the emery boards. Be careful not to touch the ink right away.  It takes just a minute or two longer than it does on cardstock.  Don't you think they would make such a cute gift for someone, like the secretary, who keeps the school running smoothly?

Now, hop on over to Jane's blog, where she will have even more idea of what you can make with Stampin Up products besides a card.

Until next time,

No Hands... Oh My!

Do you know how hard it is for me to "talk" without my hands??  Anyone who has ever met me in person knows I cannot talk without my hands.  There have been times I have said complete sentences with only an Ummm (or  some other sound) here and there mixed in with so many hand gestures the person knew what I was asking for!

Tonight I have been trying to communicate via email with a wonderful lady trying to describe how I would like her to design my blog for me.  That is REALLY HARD when you can't point, draw pictures in the air or make grunty noises.  And then, I like to ramble....(yeah that's hard for you to guess I'm sure).

Anyway, hopefully it will all turn out ok in the end.

Make sure to come back this weekend.  There is going to be another VCRocks Blog Hop.  The theme is Anything But A Card (my favorite)

Until next time,

Sweet 16

Another challenge from VC Rocks was to scrapbook a birthday page using the brights collections.  My MDS (My Digital Studio) skills are still basic but I think the page came out ok.  It was my youngest sons birthday a few years ago.

I loved the fact it was a challenge using the brights collection-as you can see by the yellow walls in the background I like bright colors!

New Hostess Set From 2011-2012 Catalog

Here is a quick card using a new hostess set from the 2011-2012 catalog that starts July 1!  The set is called Happiest Birthday Wishes.  I used Tangerine Tango for the base, punched the Mellon Mambo with the scallop border punch, layered the Whisper White on Basic Black.  I dotted the i's with glitter brads that have carried over to the new catalog.  I love the glitter brads.  I am so happy they made it into the new catalog!


I made this card for a VC Rocks challenge making a birthday card using the brights collection. Hopefully, I will get the chance to stamp some more this week. Only another week until the new catalog is released.  I don't think anyone will be disappointed in it!

Until next time,

VC Rocks Blog Hop II, 2011

Thanks for joining VC Rocks second bloghop of 2011.  You probably joined me from Kim Overholt.  For a complete listing of all the participants start here.

Here is a card I made with a triple purpose.  I knew I wanted to join VC Rocks bloghop which this month is featuring the Big Shot (my favorite tool).  Also my best friends son, who is in Cub Scouts, was crossing over from Wolf to Bear. Finally,  it was also his birthday.  We also bought him a real Build a Bear with a Scout outfit with shorts & hiking boots-part of the inspiration for the card as well. (Wish I thought to have taken a picture of that as well.  My daughter named the bear Scout LOL)

I used the Build A Bear die and the Bear Essentials die for the clothing; along with the Bear Boy sizzlits for the hat.  I used a Chocolate Chip marker for the little paw print.  The cupcake is from the level one hostess set; colored and cut out & raised with a dimensional.  The flowers and butterfly were stamped with a  sale-a-bration set.

Please hop on over to Marisol Gutierrez's blog for some more really cool Big shot ideas.

Until next time.

Punch Swap Reveal

Here is the finished card that I made for a die cut/ punch swap on VCRocks.  I showed you a sneak peak of the background.  Here is the completed card.  I used Basic Black and Real Red cardstock for the layers, and the DSP is from the hostess pack.

The lady bug is Basic Black and Real Red.  I used circle punches and a crop-a-dial for her spots.  The flower is Daffodil Delight punched with the small oval punch with a Chocolate Chip center.

The verse if from Great Friend, punched with the small oval and the scallop oval punch for the layer.  A little grosgrain ribbon and there you have a simple sweet little card.

Until next time,

Shoes And Rings And MDS Oh My!

I am determined to learn how to use My  Digital Studio from Stampin Up!  There was a challenge on VC Rocks this week to make a scrapbook page with a photo of just yourself.  Well first of all, I am the one usually taking the pictures-so I am not in that many.  Second, to find where the heck I put the photos....

So here is my silly little story of a picture I took of myself two days ago.  Oddly it is of my hand and foot-not my face.

More of the story:

At the end of my daughter dance recital, when all the parents were in the hallway I saw a lady wearing a pair of these shoes.  I grabbed my mother's arm and said "Look at those shoes!  They would match my ring!"

So after going out to eat, I had to go to the mall.  I went to 4 or 5 stores before finding them.  describing them to different clerks, walking up and down rows and rows of shoes.  And finally, there they were right near the window!!  And they were on sale for $12.99!

I was so excited I had to tell all my facebook friends/family about them.  The first response was from my mother making sure I had not mugged the poor lady from the dance recital someplace. (Really, how desperate does my mother think I am???)

Until next time,

Sneak Peak Punch Swap

Here is a card base I worked on for a swap.  I love Stampin Up!'s designer series paper because all the colors and patterns co-ordinate so well together.

I'm calling this a "sneak peek" because this is just the base and there will be something really cute added made with punches for a VC Rocks! Die Cut/Punch swap.  So if you want to see what the finished card looks like you will have to come back next week!

Until next time,

VC Rocks Challenge

At my favorite Yahoo group VC Rocks! there are several challenges.  And from those challenges here is a card I made. 

The first part was to stamp an image on plain white card stock.  A few days later you had to stamp a verse and back it with a color.  And just to make things more interesting Kimm had us do things in between so we never knew what would end up with what....All things considered I don't think it's all THAT bad.

Until next time,

Where Does Time Go???

I have been SUPER BUSY but I am in hopes if I got all the work done, then I could play! 

Wednesday night at 6:30 I was suppose to attend a webinar for school.  So I stayed at school getting homework for my online class done. I am almost done and I still have 3 weeks of class left. YIPEE!! I must admit I hate homework Hahaha.  I am glad I got that accomplished because at 6:30 I went down to the Supts Office for this webinar.....we were there for an hour before the assistant director said we could leave-there were technical difficulties to say the least!

Last night and tonight I was working on a swap/blog hop projects. The hop is all about color!  So of course I picked bright colors and I used a new set from the summer mini catalog.

Make sure you come back on the 15th for the VC Rocks! Blog-hop, there will be some great projects!

Until next time,

August VC Rocks Swaps

I joined two swaps in August during the last bit of VC Rocks. My favorite holiday to make things for is Christmas and I love when I worked in the elementary school because the young children love Halloween. So guess what two swaps I joined? You guessed it!



The tricky part of these swaps was the fact so many colors from Stampin' Up retired, it was hard to find enough card stock in current colors that I had. I only see my demo once a month since we live so far from each other. (But stamp club is a great excuse to go see old friends where we used to live.)

Not only will a receive great swaps in return, but my Christmas card was the first one the hostess received so I got $20 of FREE Stampin Up product!!!! I couldn't believe it. So I am getting the new dress for the BAB! I will be having a ball with that!

Happy Stampin

Hoo Is Going to Miss VC_Rocks?

I'm glad you joined me after visiting Nancy. Or if you are joining our hop with me, you can start at www.vcrocks.blopspot.com


So,  Hoo is going to miss VC ROCKS! Frankly, ALL of the members-that's "hoo". And this weekend is our final bloghop for 2010. Our group only has a few more weeks and then it will be closed until next year. Many of us will have email withdrawals.

Too bad I didn't know how to videos, the little owl is mounted on a penny and he swivels back and forth (that's why his eyes are like that LOL)

The owl is punched in Soft Suede and Peach Parfait DSP. The large scallop was cut & embossed with the Big Shot. His branches are from the bird punch. And he is wearing his heart on his sleeve (or should I say vest) with a little rhinestone bling. The background is the new Pear Pizazz which I think is just gorgeous! And it is all wrapped up with Peach Parfait ribbon.

The verse is from Word Play. And to everyone on VC Rocks, "You're in my thoughts, You're in my heart!"

Now you can continue on to visit Veronica and all her great creations.

Happy Stampin'

Spa Day at VC Rocks Hotel

I know you have heard me talking about VCRocks before as being the best yahoo group ever. During this Virtual Convention, not only do we get to chat, participate in swaps & bloghops; but we also can join the hotel where we get a real roommate!

You need to email each other, send each other cards and then you send each other a good box just like you would at the real convention. Well my roomie has been very busy this summer so I sent her down to the spa for a mani & pedi. What girl doesn't need pampering at the spa?

I found these cute little manicure/pedicure sets at Target. And we all know I just love my Big Shot! So here is what I came up with.

I had bought this set from my LSS a year or so ago because it had a lot of girlfriend things in it along with spa items and chocolate (the only thing I love more than my Big Shot!)

So here are two best friends headed to the spa for a little polish, gossip and relaxation.


Happy Stampin'

One Sad Little Swap

I was so excited for the Gifts for $1.00 swap at VC Rocks! I made three swaps.  However, there were not enough people joining for me to mail in three swaps.  So here is my sad swap that didn't get mailed.

I did give one away, but I decided not to mail these in because I plan to take them apart and making something with a winter theme for the school craft fair this fall. Maybe a small snowman and a verse about being cold out or friends being flakes.

I can't believe how quickly this summer is going by.  School will be starting at the end of August!  I better get going on craft fair items.

Happy Stampin'

Bookmark CASE

I hosted the VC Rocks bookmark swap. Many times the bookmark swaps are just two layers of paper that has been stamped and embellished some how. Well this year I said they could be any size,shape, etc.  I ended up with 40 sets of 10+1 bookmarks.  That is A LOT of bookmarks! 

As they came in the mail I opened them to get a sneak peek.  Here is one I cased as soon as I opened it!    It was so stinking cute and I had just received my order that had my butterfly die in it.  Can you say excited! So I went and dug out some paper and ribbon along with coasters that I had my husband bring home from his job.  And here is my version of Debbies cute bookmark.  I added some eyelets for the holes where I was putting my ribbon through.  I was only making one bookmark not eleven.







Happy Stampin'

Gifts For $1.00

Who doesn't love getting teacher gift ideas?  I always need them since  I work with a few dozen teachers!  Surprisingly, my creations for this swap did not include chocolate.  I know you are shocked right?!?!

The first swap items I made was an altered mini clipboard that hold mini post it notes. Teachers go through post it notes like there is no tomorrow.  During the group VC Rocks, we have virtual everything-even a hotel with pool boys.  So with the computer I printed a little check list that I put over the post it notes.  It says:

VC Rocks 2010 Check List
Stamps
Ink
Paper
Scissors
Snacks & Beverages
Pool Boy

The second item I made was a clear ruler that I decorated with designer paper.  These may be more of a hostess type gift or just for the teacher gift and hope the kids don't use it. The paper is cut the width of the ruler and glued on using crystal effects.

Happy Stampin"