You Rock!

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've posted, but I've had a lot going on and it seems like I can't get time to do anything lately. I've also been frustrated by the fact that I don't seem to know how to do all the fun stuff I see on other blog pages. I've emailed a few bloggers of ones that I've followed (and communicate with on a regular basis) about how they do things or if they can point me to the right direction, but I never get a reply. So, being left to figure out how to do things has left me unmotivated to blog. Sorry!!! I will try and get my mojo for that back because I really do want to do it and make it something. For example, when I upload photos, I can't rearrange them on my page, I can't change my page layout, I can't create my own fancy banner at the top, I don't know how to say the word "here" and have it link to a website, I don't know how to do the things that make blogging fun. So, right now it's more work than fun and I haven't been motivated to take time out of my already busy day to do more work, ya know? So maybe one of these days, I'll get a reply from or run into someone who can help me figure it all out.

But, nevertheless, I do have a fun and funky card that I recently made for my stepsister's birthday. She turned 14 on Tuesday and I wanted a card that suited a teenager. It was fun for me to make because I never do anything teen related, though it will just be a blink of an eye and my twins will be tweens and then teens! So, I better get used to it, huh? ****Here's a little tip I've learned....IF YOU DOUBLE CLICK THE PHOTO IN MY POST, IT WILL SHOW UP EVEN LARGER ON YOUR SCREEN SO YOU CAN GET A BETTER LOOK-TRY IT!

I used one of the Hannah Montana stamp sets I found a while back at Wal-Mart, and a fun "YOU ROCK" paper pack I picked up at Michael's by Autum leaves. All the paper in this card came from the paper pack, including the "You Rock" border at the bottom and the "You Rock" tag. Included in the paper pack was punch outs and die cuts so I used what they had, why not? I stamped the guitar from the HM set in Basic Gray (SU) and used my Pink Passion marker to outline it. Then, I used my Pink Passion classic ink pad and a blender pen to fill in the color of the guitar and then used a flourish from Paper Studio and did some masking for the More Mustard flourish behind the guitar. I used Hot Pink stickles on the guitar and I also have some Ranger Stickles in Scattered Straw (Tim Holz Distressed Collection) for the Mustard colored "buttons" on the paper. Those are in the pattern of the paper, but I wanted to accent them with the stickles, though the Tim Holz stickles aren't as sparkly as the main stickles line, it may be hard to see in the photo. I sponged the sides of the "You Rock" strip and the tag, as well as the sides of the guitar piece. I used hot pink rhinestones and some funky fibers I had in my stash that I thought went perfectly with the card. Inside, the card says "Birthday Wishes". This turned out to be one of my favorites, and though the color combo is an unlikely pair, I love the finished look of how the colors come together for a fun and funky look.

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully later this weekend/early next week, I will have by stamp room all put together and clean (I am doing some rearranging) and can get to stamping so I can share more with you. Take care and have a great weekend! Melissa

Gorgeous Chipboard

Here's the card I was referring to yesterday. My friend finally got her card today and I am so glad she loved it. It is so much more fun and rewarding when making projects with a specific person in mind. I just love it! Anyway, here's my favorite chipboard project from this week. I started with a basic black base and used DP from Basic Grey's (my favorite DP designer!) Ambrosia collection, which is also my current favorite collection. I then matted a piece of champagne shimmer paper (picked up from target...part of their "fresh" collection) onto another piece of basic black. The large chipboard piece is also Basic Grey Ambrosia chipboard and I used an Inkadinkado stamp I picked up at Big lots for the sentiment. I stamped that in Staz On directly in the center of the chipboard. It's hard to see but I used Orange Peel stickles around the perimeter of the sentiment and I also dotted some Black Diamond stickles on where you see the 3 little black dots together. I took 2 pictures to get a good angle to see the shine, but not sure if you can. The ribbon is some scrumptious ribbon I recently got from 7 Kids College Fund (http://www.7kidscollegefund.com/) . They have great deals on ribbons and such. I was actually at their site looking for tulle ribbon when I came across this gorgeous black on black swirl. I bought it in several colors. Anyway, the reason for this card is my 4 dearest friends and I were planning a weekend stamping retreat and one of my 4 friends was hesitating on going with us. I just wanted her to know we love her and would miss her if she didn't go, so I just sent her a card with all my current favorite stuff hoping she would FEEL THE LOVE!

So, hope you guys have a great weekend. I have a scrapbooking day planned for tomorrow and club on Sunday. See you soon!

It's Cold - I'm Stampin!!!!

Happy Winter to everyone! I know it may not always be our choice to be surrounded by cold weather, but if we must, we might as well be happy right? Well, this week I have been working on projects using chipboard. I must say, my goal was to put a dent in my chipboard, but it ain't happenin! I mean, do I have some chipboard! {{{Sigh}}}. I would probably have to be locked in my stamp room for a year to use all of my chipboard and I would have to use it on every project for a month to put a dent in it. But, nevertheless, I have some cute projects to show you that I have made this week with some chipboard I had in my stash. I also have my FAVORITE project that I made with this weeks challenge chipboard that I am posting tomorrow. I made the card for a dear friend of mine and I sent it to her today, so I didn't want to post the photo of the card I made her until AFTER I am sure she's received it. Can't go giving her a ruin to her surprise now can I??? I "think" she follows my blog, so to be safe. I am waiting a day or two, but be sure to check back because it's by far my favorite of the chipboard projects I have made.

Okay, first card is my attempt at transitioning from Christmas to Valentines. I used some DP and some chipboard I got at the $1 spot at Target. Don't ya just love bargains like those? It also uses the new Love You Much stamp set by SU. It turned out better than I thought, when I started because it took some wriggling to get the layout like I liked, but it was cute enough in the end. Second card, uses ALL FALL DP and ALL FALL chipboard collection by Fancy Pants Designs. The library card stamp is one that I recently ordered from Clear Dollar Stamps. WARNING: If you visit their website, you WILL be tempted to order (http://www.cleardollarstamps.com/). Their stamps are so stinkin' cute and oh so inexpensive, dare I say CHEAP. Not in quality, just in price. I also used that set and the same DP and chipboard collection on my second card. Though I have to say I like the card with the single apple with the quote and the parenthesis best of the two using the same stuff. And, that's twill ribbon you see on both cards. Not a lot of stamping, but you know the goal is to use that chipboard I have tons of, right?

Don't forget, check back in a day or so for the FABULOUS card post of the one I sent my friend. I hope she likes it, even though I already know what she's gonna say. LOL Also, which I didn't realize until tonight, the challenge this week included wooden shapes. I don't have many of those that fit cards, but I do have some that are home decor type items I can work on. So maybe I will post those if I get a chance to tackle them before this challenge week is over. Have a great day! Hope to see you back here soon!