Sites of the week

Through the past few weeks I have received several emails and have seen comments asking particular questions. I have emailed answers to many of them, but have decided to take a few moments to answer some here.

What kind of camera do I use?…
Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I LOVE this camera and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good digital camera.

What kind of photo editing software to I use?…
I use PhotoShop Elements. I purchased it at Costco last year.

How do I get my stamped images so dark?…
I use Brilliance Graphite Black ink {usually on Papertrey white cardstock} and I always keep a re-inker on hand to make sure that my ink pad is juicy.

Where did I get the ball chain thread that I used on my MFT baby tag/card?…
I got that particular one at a scrapbook store in Oklahoma City while visiting some friends. Since then, I have picked up a package at JoAnn’s.

Can you give me specific information on the Guest Designer’s card?…
I do not require a recipe from my Guest Designers, so it is best that you contact them directly. There is always a link to their blog. I’m not trying to cop out of getting an answer for you, just want you to know the most direct and quickest way to obtain the info you seek.

What Copic colors do I use in my projects?…
I don’t list what colors I use because often my desk is a complete train wreck when I get done with a project. Also, I will use a little of this and a little of that and that pile adds up. So, in short, no I won’t be listing the colors I used on every project. However, if you ever have a project regarding any project, please feel free to email me about it and I will be more than happy to discuss.

Finally, the last question leads me to the tutorial that I promised.

How did I create this Post It Note holder {click for larger view}

Here’s the “how to”…

What you will need {as shown in photo}:
3 1/8″ x 8 5/8″ Kraft cardstock to use as base
Smaller pieces of red and black cardstock to use to embellish base
Cuttlebug & Cuttlebug embossing folder
Punches {SU! Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8″ and 1 1/4″ Circle punches}
Apple Stamp
Red Ink
{not shown} Velcro

Instructions:

1. Score Kraft cardstock base at 3 1/8″, 3 9/16″, 6 11/16″, 7 1/8″

2. Emboss red pieces of cardstock with Swiss Dots embossing folder.

3. Adhere red and black pieces to base.

4. Stamp apple image {All Night Media stamp I got at Michael’s thanks to Susan’s enabling} on white cardstock, punch out, and layer circle punches. Adhere to flap of Post It Note cover.

5. Adhere Post It Notes to inside of cover.

6. Adhere Velcro to circle punch and front square of cover.

These are SUPER quick and easy to make, easily making them a great project to mass produce. There are several ways you can “kick it up a notch,” too. You could add a pencil holder, or make purse like handles, etc… Obviously, the image and colors can be switched out, too. Let me know if you make any of these. I would love to see what you come up with!!

Tomorrow is another Sketch For You To Try. AND…there might be a little blog tart to go along with it. Wink Wink!!

I know that I have said that I am a very fortunate person when it comes to stamping. I am on great design teams, I have been lucky enough to have a few things picked up for publication and from time to time I am asked to work with a company’s stamps to see what I can come up with. I was recently contacted by Marti from Pez-A-Doodle Design Studios, a new line of stamps releasing on the 7th, and she asked if I could make a card or two with her new designs. This is what I came up with…

I {heart} this color combo with this stamp…

This card is paired with a Penny Black sentiment…

Finally I have a fun little tag that uses one of the backgrounds. When I saw this stamp I thought of the pattern on a giraffe, even without the solids.

You can check out Marti’s site for some opportunities to win fun stuff. Also, Amy Sheffer is playing along with me. Be sure to see what she has come up with {I’m sure that it is jaw dropping amazing…as always!}.

Happy Hump Day! Today is the first day of Ellie’s Wiggles and Tunes class. I am totally looking forward to it! One of her little friends is going to be in there, too. I am going to try to take pics, but it’s a Mommy and Me class, so I’m not sure how that is going to work. LOL!

I guess everyone is liking my sketches! Today I checked the sketch challenge on SCS and there was one of the sketches I did in April. You can see my post HERE. It’s fun to see everyone’s take on it. I hope to get to play again a little later today….Laundry, what laundry!??!

Also, have you picked up the latest Take Ten issue? The “We Challenge You” sketch is also one of my cards/sketches {page 26}. Let me know if you send in a submission to them. I can’t wait to see everyone’s cards in print!!!

As you may know, My Favorite Things is releasing several new stamp sets tonight! Be sure to join us HERE for the release party from 9-11 EST. It is a very exciting release for MFT, as we are presenting a new line of stamps. Here is a message from MFT…

My Favorite Things is pleased and proud to introduce you to our brand-spankin’ new line, My Favorite Things Presents! My Favorite Things Presents opens the door for us to work with new Illustrators and continue to offer images that are “Fresh, Fun and Completely Distinctive!” This spin-off brand will begin by offering images from artist Annie LaPointe, being introduced over the next few months. Other Illustrators, as *need* arises, will be added as we find artists and styles we feel would translate well into the stamp world and as we see a niche we can uniquely fill. My Favorite Things original brand will continue to be drawn by the irreplaceable Christy Beckwith, whose style has so completely captured our hearts.

Here a couple creations using this GORGEOUS new line…

This uses a tray from GLUE. I love how these turn into home decor so quickly and easily!

Here are a couple projects using the Congrats all Around set. I’m such a sucker for baby projects!! The tag was made by taking 2 scallop circle punches and adhering them together after scoring the back piece about 1/2″ in. I used the SU! Word Window punch to create a loop to string the ball/chain thread through.

Up close on the tag…

Here’s the card. I did not finish the inside, but I think that it would make a great shower, new baby or announcement.

Again, I hope that you will join us at the release party tonight! It’s a lot of fun and everyone is welcome. There will be more projects to see, some announcements and a few challenges. Have a great day!!

First for a little of this and that…
I have had several questions come through on email or on comments. If I have not responded, I will get to those soon. I will probably address most of them here on Friday. Also, I am a little behind on emails, so if you emailed me for my mom’s address, I am not ignoring you and I will get that to you very soon. Thank you all so much for your support! My mom went through her first session of chemo like a champ! Other than a few minor side effects, she says she feels good. Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers and good juju!

Onto the stampin’ part of today’s post…

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of TCP Tuesday. Today’s challenge for YOU is a stamp challenge. This is where the Hipster Hostess With The Mostess for the week, Katie, picks a particular TCP stamp for you to create with. This week she has chosen the penguin Indians from the Havin’ A Pow Wow set.
Here is the card that I created for this challenge. I had not previously inked up this stamp, so I am glad it got some inky lovin’. Also, who could resist this sentiment? It cracks me up every time I see it! LOL!!

Want to play and have a chance to win some Cat Cash? Here’s what you need to know…

1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES10 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Last week and over the weekend I got rockin’ and rollin’ on a BUNCH of stuff. Let’s just say that between now and Saturday I have more than 15 things to show you! YAY! I’m considering a tutorial for Friday, and I may just have to end the week with a blog tart, too! wink wink…you probably want to be here on Saturday!
Today I am sharing a whole bunch of My Favorite Things projects. There is a new release on Wednesday and I promise it will be one like never before. It really is my favorite MFT release of all time. No joke!! I can’t share any “real” details today, but you will want to keep your eyes and ears peeled come hump day! Today I am sharing projects from the “Here’s the Scoop” and “What’s Up Cupcake?” sets. As always {ok, most of the time} I am gonna cut the yipyap and get to showing the goods…

Oh yea, first, you might want to know that Kim is giving you a chance to win all of the releases HERE.

First, I have a matching ice cream party invitation and kit. Are you thinking that these are odd colors for ice cream? ME TOO!! I found this paper {at Michael’s} and started using it before I realized that matching the ice cream scoops would mean inventing some new flavor combos! I’m sure everyone loves orange sherbet and pisatachio ice cream together…mmm mmm mmm!

Just the invite…
mft_june08_icpartycard.jpg

The box {from Papertrey} closed…

…and open…
I just grabbed some topping type stuff and put it into ketchup cups that I slipped from McDonald’s.

Next up, a card using the Here’s the Scoop and Twisted Sentiments sets… {BTW, I crack myself up with this!}

Detail…

Still another from this set…

Detail…

Last, but not least, this card uses the MINI set of the month, What’s Up Cupcake?…

Wanna come to the release party? See you HERE on Wednesday from 9-11EST.