Thursday, July 31, 2008

Update!!

Read the end of the post below (under that cute lightning bug - or do you call them fireflies?) for more info on the new Stampin' Up! information!!

Light Up Your Day with Stampin' Up! Peeks and a Cute Bug!

Wow! Where did the summer go? July 31 has always marked the end of the summer for me, as once August gets here, school is SOON! We go back on the 10th this year for teacher meetings and then the students start the 13th.

July 31 also marks the last day that you can help buy a wheelchair accessible van for Bob and his family! Hambo Stamps is contributing 15% of their July sales to this worthy cause. Check out this cute lightning bug. Isn't he adorable?

The bug and sentiment are both available at Hambo.

I made this card for two Dare to Get Dirty Challenges - Carole's Real Red, Yoyo Yellow and Brilliant Blue Color Challenge, and Natasha's Sketch Challenge.

Here is a sneak peek of the cover of the new Stampin' Up! catalog! It has a pretty scalloped edge! A friend at convention sent me this picture. I don't have my own yet, hence the spiral edge. All convention attendees receive their complimentary catalog spiral bound.

Day Two Stampin' Up! news!!! Keep reading:
Shelli Gardner, CEO and Cofounder of SU! will be starting a line of accessories and products that she loves soon!
Decor Elements will be available in 4 new colors - including PINK! (This news makes me happy!)
All sets will be die cut beginning in the Spring-Summer 2009 Catalog. All sets new to the Fall-Winter Catalog are die cut.
And watch for a big sale in August! Oh !! That is tomorrow! Well, I imagine that means after the new catalog comes out (which they have spelled "Catalogue") on August 11.
FUN STUFF!

Light up someone's life today! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Hambo Stamps
Paper: Real Red, Real Red POP DP, Yoyo Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Ink: same as above minus White plus Apricot Appeal and Black Stazon
Accessories: circle punch, scallop punch, eyelets, stickles, grosgrain ribbon, Nestabilities
Techniques: sponging

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Convention News, New Catty and Another Challenge Done!

Wow! The first day of Stampin' Up!'s 20th Anniversary Convention began today in Salt Lake City. Everyone is abuzz over the new stuff and the new catalog!! If you are interested in pre-ordering a new catalog, just leave me a comment here or e-mail me at lidaroseroz@yahoo.com.

Some highlights: LOTS of new punches, new silhouette sets, beautiful new designer paper and the new In-Colors are fantastic! I didn't love them at all when I first saw little swatches, but now having seen them in person (we could preorder them as demos), I am in love! There is even Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware and some new designer brads (espcially the Filigree) that are MUST-HAVES! More new news EVERY day this week!!

Today I completed the SCS Sketch Challenge and also another Dare to Get Dirty Challenge (Laurie's Vellum Challenge). What fun those have been. Here is what I made:

I embossed the flower from Oh So Lovely and watercolored it using my Blue Bayou pad and an aqua brush. The Metallic Gold paper (beautiful stuff!) is so shimmery and is available from Our Daily Bread Designs. The sentiment was stamped with Blue Bayou ink and embossed with Clear EP.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks of new Stampin' Up! stuff!


Stamps: Oh So Lovely, Graceful Words
Paper: Gold Metallic, Blue Bayou. Blue Bayou POP DP, Very Vanilla, vellum (Hobby Lobby)
Ink: Encore Gold, Blue Bayou, Mellow Moss
Accessories: pearl trim, flower brads
Techniques: embossing, watercoloring

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I Finally Love Guava!~



I am loving the Dare To Get Dirty Challenges that the Dirty Dozen is hosting at SCS for fan club members. Today's card covers three SCS Challenges.
CC177: Whisper White, Sahara Sand & Groovy Guava
Sharon's DTGD Stamp Simply Challenge &
Joan's DTGD Silhouette Challenge

I don't list the DTGD links, as they will not work if you are not a Fan Club member. And I have not been a fan of Guava this whole year. It's now retiring next month and I finally found a color combination I love!! Isn't that the way it goes?

Off to stamp some more! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: The Art of Life, Sanded, Small Script
Paper: Whisper White, Grovvy Guava, Sahara Sand, Provo Craft DP
Ink: Cameo Coral, Sahara Sand
Accessories: stick pin by Heidi Grace, guava square brads, small & large oval punches, Kraft Taffeta ribbon, distressing tool, photo corner punch
Techniques: distressing

Monday, July 28, 2008

A Great Sketch!


Here is a wonderful sketch for you to try! It is from Jen's SCS DTGD Challenge.

I used three stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs' "The Cross of Christ". The solid shimmery paper is Metallic Gold, Copper and Bronze, also available at ODB. I absolutely love this paper. It is the prettiest Metallic I have seen. It comes in five colors.
The cross panel and the grace panel are embossed in Gold and the edges were dipped in Encore Gold and embossed with SU Gold EP. Other edges were sponged with Close to Cocoa ink.

Play along! There are so many wonderful designs that would work with this sketch!

Stamps: The Cross of Christ by Our Daily Bread Designs
Paper: Metallic Bronze, Copper and Gold; Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Slab DP
Ink: Encore Gold, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: sponge dauber, Gold EP, copper brads (The Paper Studio), Nestabilities

Sunday, July 27, 2008


Congratulations to my friend, Julia (artystamper), for being chosen the SCS Featured Stamper this week! Julia does AMAZING things with her cards and her gallery is a delight!

Here is her gorgeous card I cased.

I changed the colors and images, the layout slightly, and added ribbon. I swiped my Chalk inks all over the Whisper White in a random pattern. I then stamped the images from Stampin' Up!'s Embrace Life in Palette Noir Black ink, and then covered the whole sheet with my Versamark ink pad. I then embossed with Clear EP and cut out in one inch squares. The squares were then glued onto white chipboard inchies (Ellen Hutson). The Certainly Celery piece is stamped with the Canvas background stamp using Versamark (unable to see this in the photo!).

Stamps: Embrace Life, Canvas
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Slab DP (behind CC and large oval punch), Textured Shimmery Bazzill Silver (cardstock base)
Ink: Versamark, Palette Noir Black, Color Box Chalk Inks: French Blue, Lime Pastel, Pink Pastel
Accessories: silver organdy ribbon, word window punch, large oval punch, designer label punch, white chipboard inchies (Ellen Hutson), Clear EP
Techniques: serendipity, embossing

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Last Call to Help A Family in Need!


During the month of July, Hambo Stamps has been offering to donate 15% of their monthly sales to help out a family who desperately needs a wheelchair accessible van. To read all about it, click HERE. Since this is the last week of July, it's time to get those orders in!

Stef (the SCS Inspiration Challenge Hostess) is so creative in coming up with inspiration pieces! Today we were to be inspired by website design. I chose an "advertised" site for the bold colors, geometric design, and name. It reminded me of my little sucker stamp from Hambo!
See it HERE.
I stamped the sucker in Palette Noir Black and then used Bold Brights markers to color the image. Each one is then coated with Crystal Effects for a shiny "candy" look, and the bows and sticks were given a little swipe of Crystal Stickles. The "SWEET" is a rub-on from a sheet my mom gave me from HSN.

Stamps: Hambo Stamps: Sucker - 2210
Paper: Only Orange, Pink Passion, Gable Green, Green Galore, Whisper White (sucker base), Mara Mia DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Only Orange, Pink Passion, Gable Green, Yoyo Yellow
Accessories: button and embroidery floss, Crystal Effects, Crystal Stickles, rub-on sentiment, Cuttlebug EF, sparkly ribbon

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today! I hope you will also visit Hambo and find some fun stamps!

Friday, July 25, 2008

I Love Pink!

There is something about pink that just makes me feel good. There are other colors that I love, but pink really lifts my spirits. Today I chose my ribbon for my card first, and it is a beautiful coral pink color with a little bit of a white thread running through the middle. It's organdy ribbon that I got at Hobby Lobby for $1 (half off!) and I love it! Today was the first day to use it, and I chose a "Dare to Get Dirty" Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, "It's All About the Ribbon" to inspire me and get me going. Pretty pink ribbon and stamping - what could be better? To view the challenge, you must be a SCS Fan Club member, so I am not listing the link here. I chose another DTGD Challenge, hosted by my good friend Holly (aka Toy) for the sketch.

Here is what I came up with:

I used a verse from the set "Sing to the Lord" by Our Daily Bread Designs. Since I am a music teacher, this set is perfect for me! The ribbon determined what papers and colors I would use.

Stamps: Sing to the Lord by Our Daily Bread Designs
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Rose Romance (retired), Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey DP
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Paper Frills by Doodlebug, Primas, mini white brads, Cuttlebug EF, Marvy Scalloped Oval punch, organdy ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Your End?

How is Everything on Your End?

Hopefully you all are having a great summer. I would love to hear what special thing (or what ordinary thing!) you are doing. Summer is almost gone and I have a few things yet I want to accomplish! I start school in two weeks! My daughter is already there - in Marching Band Camp!

For today's SCS Ways to Use It Challenge ("Negative Thoughts"), we were to use the "negative" of something - like not the punched out piece of something, but the "frame."

I used a chipboard piece (thanks to my friend, Stacy!) and punched out the star and used the negative piece. I covered it with designer paper (CosmoCricket Wanted) and then punched a circle and put behind the chipboard. I made my little lasso from a length of black hemp.

I love this little horse from Clear Dollar Stamps. Isn't he cute? I stamped him twice and watercolored him using reinkers, pads and an aqua brush. I cut out just the head and raised it on dimensionals.

Stamps: All stamps by Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Really Rust, Very Vanilla, CosmoCricket Wanted DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, More Mustard
Accessories: gold star brads, black hemp, large oval punch, designer label punch, chipboard star, distressing tool
Techniques: distressing, sponging, watercoloring

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A Quick and Easy Yummy Punch

Here is a great little punch when you are having a summer party or a brunch or shower. You will need three clean ice-cube trays.

FRUITY PUNCH


Ingredients
11 oz. can mandarin oranges
4 1/2 C OJ
small can crushed pineapple
6 C. pineapple juice
4 1/2 C cranberry juice
4 C. ginger ale

Place mandarin orange segments from an 11 oz. can in an ice-cube tray and top with 1/2 C. orange juice. In a second tray, repeat with crushed pineapple and juice. Divide 1/2 C. cranberry juice in a third tray. Freeze 4 hours. To serve, stir 4 C. OJ, 6 C. pineapple juice, 4 C. cranberry juice and 4 C. ginger ale together in a large bowl and add fruit ice cubes. Enjoy!

I am working on my tutorial - stop by later tonight!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Fabulous!!

Today's SCS Color Challenge uses two colors that I just really didn't like about a year ago. The new In-Colors for Stampin' Up! came out then, and River Rock was my least favorite, followed by Soft Sky. I was such a Cool Carribbean fan from the year before. But guess what? Those two colors grew into some of my favorite colors of the year. River Rock, especially! I think it's so versatile and goes with a lot of things. Today's challenge uses Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, and River Rock.

I was inspired by a birthday card I received from my friend, Joanne (aka jojot), and came up with this:


I used Stampin' Up!s Just B set, stamping the "B" in Soft Sky, and the "fabulous" in River Rock. All edges are sponged with River Rock. Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding DP worked great with these colors, so I used that in my background with Stampin' Up!s Kraft Tafetta ribbon. The giant Prima I had found on sale at Target in a little tub with several others for $2 (yay!), and the hardware was all gifts. I like how this turned out -- but it is certainly an extra postage card! It is a regular A2 (4.25 x 5.5") card, but rather bulky with that big flower!

Thanks for stopping by today. Tomorrow I have a GREAT new recipe and a tutorial for you to try!

Stamps: Just B
Paper: River Rock, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding DP
Ink: Soft Sky, River Rock
Accessories: GIANT Prima! Kraft Tafetta ribbon, designer label punch, flower mini brads, large flower brad, paper piercer, sponge dauber

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Fiona Knows I Need My Stamping Time!

After several days of babysitting and slight frustration, Fiona has learned to let me stamp! She brought in a chew toy to my stamp room, chewed a bit and promptly went to sleep so I was able to make a card for today's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge.
Congratulations to Susie (susiestampalot), who is today's Featured Stamper! I chose her card HERE to case.

I changed the layout slightly, changed images and colors, added gems instead of buttons, and moved my sentiment. I added sparkly Stickles to the flower petals, the baby's breath, and around the sentiment. The flowers are stamped three times, cut out, and raised on dimensionals.

I also used Sharon's (notimetostamp) blog challenge to make a card with a flower and purple on it somewhere. Be sure to check out Sharon's blog -- she has some fantastic ideas and samples!

Stamps: With Love by CTMH
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Provo Craft Slab DP
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Lovely Lilac
Accessories: organdy ribbon, lavender gems, flower punch, dimensionals, Stickles

Thanks for stopping by today!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Where Does the Day Go?

How many times have you asked yourself that question?

My days are a blur right now, as Fiona (see that darling picture below?) is like taking care of a newborn! I have to watch her every second, and if I am not, she is into something, or leaving me surprises all over the place. Oh!! I have an outdoor dog kennel. Gee.....why didn't I remember that DAYS ago?? Just kidding - I do know that -- I just love to have her around --- most of the time! She is certainly a delight, and now that my lab, Lucy, LOVES her, it is better around here.

The other reason I haven't stamped in a few days is that my summer community theater show, "The Music Man," opened on Thursday night. I am the music director, and have a fantastic orchestra to lead. We have shows every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until August 3. Last night was a HUGE success -- even better than opening night. The audience was great, and the cast was really on their toes. Wonderful performance. I go to the theater about 6:30 and get home around 11:30. The last couple of days I have been busy with the lobby display and with the pictures for the lobby boards we put up. This has been a long week, as it was Tech Week, and I have been there most days and nights since last Sunday. BUT -- I hope to stamp tomorrow afternoon. That is, if I get my stamp room back to an operable state! haha

I hope you are all spending your summer doing something really fun that you like -- even if it is time-consuming!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Get a Head Start!


It's time to get a head start on some holiday cards! I don't send all that many Thanksgiving cards - mostly to family and a few close friends. But I am always rushed at that time of the year, so I have decided to make one a week from now until then and I will have enough by the time November rolls around.

Today I used the SCS Sketch Challenge for my layout.

I used the cornucopia and part of a sentiment from the Our Daily Bread's "Give Thanks." I stamped the main image with Palette Noir Black ink and colored it with a combination of Pastel Chalks and Markers. The sentiment was colored with a Chocolate Chip marker. To see the whole set, click HERE.

The cardstock base and middle panels are solid metallic paper with a beautiful shimmer. The paper comes in 5 colors, and is available (along with the new stamp set!) at http://www.ourdailybreaddesigns.com
It's never too early to start holiday cards!

Stamps: Give Thanks by Our Daily Bread Designs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Urban Couture DP by Basic Grey, Metallic Paper (Copper and Bronze)
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Chocolate Chip, various markers for coloring, Copic C-1
Accessories: Pastel Chalks, Copper HPH, large oval punch, photo corner punch

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday! I had a wonderful day!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me! Lots of fun things going on today. Here is my first birthday present (which I actually got a few days ago - and chose myself!):

Isn't she adorable?? She is 5 months old and her name is Fiona, which is of Gaelic origin (remember, I loved Ireland?), and means "white, fair and beautiful one." I think she is all those things. She is also a little pill! We haven't had a puppy for over 4 years and I had forgotten what it is like!! She follows me everywhere and had to already learn NOT to put wood mounted stamps in her mouth to chew on!
She is a yellow lab mix and has the sweetest disposition. She is very smart, and learned two commands in two days. My Lucy (see sidebar) is slowly getting used to her, and is realizing she is now the "oldest, wisest, and BOSS!" We went to the Central Nebraska Humane Society to get Fiona. A rescue!!

My next birthday present was to stamp! Surprise! :)
I used the beautiful "Cross of Christ" set again by Our Daily Bread Designs. This verse is Hebrews 12:2a. I really like how versatile and beautiful this set is. You can order it as of today!

My daughter is coming home today after being gone a week to North Carolina with her brother. Another great birthday gift! She knows about Fiona, and has seen pictures, but will love meeting her in person. So I am off to bake a chocolate "Welcome Home" cake for her -- and maybe I will have a piece too! Have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs
Paper: So Saffron, Almost Amethyst, Slab DP
Ink: Wild Wasabi and Basic Gray (combined for the sentiment)
Accessories: satin trimmed organdy ribbon, tulle flower, amethyst gems, EK Success corner punch, Marvy scallop oval punch, Cuttlebug EF, dimensionals

Monday, July 14, 2008

Another Peek!


I am not what I ought to be.
I am not what I wish to be.
I am not even what I hope to be,
But by the cross of Christ,
I am not what I was.

----John Newton

These images are from a beautiful new set being released tomorrow by Our Daily Bread Designs. There are three cross sizes, and several words and verses. To see the whole set, click HERE. I used Night of Navy for my cardstock base and layered it with Bashful Blue, and then a beautiful piece of patterned paper by My Mind's Eye. I stamped the sentiment (which I just love) in Navy, and then the cross on top of that in Bashful Blue. "Grace" is also stamped in Navy. All edges are sponged with Navy and each layer is raised on dimensionals. I added two layers of organdy ribbon (Navy and White) and then added a little clear flower gem to the knot of my bow.

In my sidebar I have blogs of the other design team members. They have some amazing samples to show you! Be sure to check out the site for all of the beautiful stamp designs, including the new releases, which are available tomorrow!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Some exciting news!

I am thrilled to announce that I have been asked to be a Guest Designer for Our Daily Bread Designs! The owner, Kelley Holland, asked me if I would be willing to design and I absolutely jumped for joy! I love the images and was so excited to see the new releases for July.

Three new sets will be released on Tuesday, July 15 - my birthday! I absolutely love the new designs and I think you will too! The first sneak peek is a one stamp set called "The Lord's Prayer."

I used this stamp for today's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge. Congratulations to Stephanie (stephanie.hargis)!
I cased her pretty card here. I kept her layout of using four different designer papers, but changed colors and images, and substituted Primas for her eyelets. For the Featured Stamper Challenge, the rules are to change at least two things.

Be sure to check out Our Daily Bread Designs to meet the illustrator of one of the beautiful new sets. I think many of you will know her! She created my awesome giraffe watermarks and is also on the ODB design team! Go have a look and be sure to check back tomorrow for another sneak peek!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs
Paper: River Rock, Rose Romance (retired), Old Olive, Very Vanilla, DP by My Mind's Eye
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: grosgrain and organdy ribbon, Primas, brads

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Awards to Share & Empty Places in My Heart


After being given this award by some blogging friends, I would like to pass them along to some others! Check out these:
Linsey - Outside the Lines
Tammy - Stamp Happy
and
Diane - Planted in Joy


And for those that have been following my little beagle story, we had to put her to sleep on Thursday. :(
Dayna continued to lose weight (lymphoma) and was obviously not feeling well at all. She had lost a total of 25% of her body weight, and for a 13" beagle, that was not a good thing. We will miss her tremendously, but did not want her to suffer needlessly and are glad about the joy she brought to our family for 10 1/2 years!

There is an empty place in my heart right now for her. I know many of you know that same feeling, having experienced the same thing. This is the third dog we have had, and now miss, but I know they are out there together somewhere chasing squirrels!

I hope you will check back tomorrow, as I have some fun things to share!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Say Cheese!!

For today's SCS Sketch Challenge, my good friend, Cindy (aka Mothermark) is the Guest Hostess and she had a fabulous sketch for us to try:
As soon as I saw this layout, I knew which stamps I wanted to use. The little cheese pieces from Hambo Stamps would fit perfectly in the small diamonds!

I had the DP left over from a previous cheese card I had made with a House Mouse image, so I used that up and came up with this!

Stamps: Hambo Stamps
Paper: Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Naturals Ivory, Slab DP
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Sahara Sand, Copic C-1
Accessories: CTMH hardware, grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, sponge dauber
Techniques:
sponging
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Banana Guava Chips!


I am thrilled to be Hambo Stamps's Guest Designer for July, and today I made a card with two of their really cute stamps.

Today's SCS Color Challenge was to use Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, and Groovy Guava. Now, I have not been a Guava fan, but when I saw today's colors, I knew I wanted to ink up my little goose stamp! I stamped my image (Mother Goose - 0620) in Palette Noir Black ink and then watercolored using reinkers and an aqua brush. When it was dry, I punched it out using my Marvy scalloped oval punch and then layered it with a punched larger oval that I ran through my Cuttlebug. A few more layers, a few layered Primas, and I am ready to attach my "hanger" for my little picture frame. I used grosgrain ribbon and a small Chocolate Chip brad for my picture hanger. I added a scalloped border using Basic Grey DP made with my slit punch, and added a small piece of the same DP in the upper left hand corner for a little interest. The inside of the card is stamped with "Special Delivery" (Special Delivery - 1506). I think it makes a darling new baby card!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Inspired by a Switchplate!


As I have mentioned in a couple of other posts, Sue over at StampnDaly challenged me to an exchange to make a project with supplies she sent. She also sent a really neat shell card for me to post on my blog as well. I had already started on my main image and it fit perfectly with today's SCS Inspiraton Challenge! Stef (the IC Hostess) chose some beautiful enameled pieces for us to choose from, and I chose the dragonfly switchplate HERE.

I stamped the dragonfly from Measure of a Life in Black Stazon, and then colored it using Pastel Chalks, which I hadn't used in a really long time (like over 2 years, maybe!). I sponged around the outside and distressed the edges using the Cutter Tool. Sue had sent me the paper and some buttons, so I stamped the background piece with Versamark ink, using a stamp from Delicate Dandelions before I layered those pieces, including the Soft Sky DP (which I wrapped with Sulky Silver Metallic thread - yes, it's Sulky, but I think it should be Silky! lol) and then added a Certainly Celery button as my accent.

Thanks, Sue, for such a fun challenge! Sorry it took me so long to get it done! I hope you like what I created! Here is Sue's fun shell card, and you can check out her blog to see how she made it! I hope to make more cards soon with the remaining supplies!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge ~ Happy 4th! ~


I am happy to be able to Guest Hostess the SCS Limited Supplies Challenge today.

* We're making cards with mostly RED, WHITE and BLUE (any shades – yes, I know that is only THREE colors, but I am counting the “and” as the 4th word! lol!) and:
* ONLY 4 layers deep (or less - including the cardstock base piece)
* ONLY 4 embellishments or specialty tools (or less - a combination of 4) – examples:
1) ribbon, 2) one kind of punch, 3) another kind of punch, 4) one Cuttlebug EF or
1) decorative scissors, 2) one kind of Nesties, 3) another kind of Nesties, 4) Stickles
* Adhesives, plain scissors and paper cutters do not count - they are necessities! Designer Paper is fine, as long as it is only R/W/B and counts as one of your layers.

Here are the two samples I made:

The eagle (Liberty for All - retired Stampin' Up!) was colored with Night of Navy and Bravo Burgundy/Real Red markers and then the edges were sponged with Bravo Burgundy. The sentiment was stamped in Bravo Burgundy and sponged with Night of Navy ink. The double-sided DP is cut and pieced into one layer. The "1776" was on the DP design already!
Stamps: retired Stampin' Up! Liberty for All
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, double-sided DP by Reminisce
Ink: Night of Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Real Red
Accessories: white star brad, Michael's $1 ribbon, sponge dauber for edges, circle punch
Techniques: sponging

And for a non-patriotic sample I used one of my very favorite Stampin' Up! sets, Boatloads of Love. The boat is stamped twice in Palette Noir Black, watercolored, and then cut out and mounted on dimensionals. I added Liquid Applique to the puff of steam and then cut out and mounted that on a dimensional as well.

Stamps: Boatloads of Love
Paper: LSS DP, Brilliant Blue, Naturals White, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, NQN
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Brilliant Blue, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, Real Red
Accessories: string, Liquid Applique, photo corner punch, blue eyelets

To all my U.S. friends: I hope you have a very safe and happy Independence Day ~
and to all my international friends: Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
Independence Day!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Need a Quick Dessert for a Weekend Party?

Many of us will be celebrating this weekend and spending time with family. Sometimes those party invitations are spontaneous and you aren't prepared to bring anything; sometimes you have known about them for weeks and forgot to make anything!
Well, here is my favorite quick and easy dessert that can go places!

Mom's Dump Cake

Ingredients

1 large can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple
1 large can cherry pie filling (I get the kind with extra fruit!)
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick of butter (I freeze mine to slice easier, but it doesn't have to be frozen)

Optional:
crushed walnuts or pecans
tub of Cool Whip
1/2 can of blueberry pie filling (for Independence Day!)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13 x 9 in. glass pan with non-stick coating.
Dump in pineapple, with juice, and spread equally.
Dump in cherry pie filling (and 1/2 can of blueberry, if you are using that). Spread evenly over pineapple.
Dump in dry yellow cake mix and spread evenly over filling, breaking up lumps as needed (I use a fork for this part).
Slice frozen butter thinly and dot all over cake mix, esp. covering larger lumps (or dot butter on top, if thawed). If you are using the nuts, sprinkle them on before cooking (I am not a nut fan, so I don't use them!).
Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream, or cooled with a dollop of blueberry filling and Cool Whip on top! Enjoy!


Thank you to my sweet friend Angel, for giving me this award!! I will be back later today or tomorrow to pass it along!!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Lots of Fun Stuff Today!

Lots of fun stuff today and a chance to help someone in need!

For today's SCS Sketch Challenge, I used the ever-fun dancing candles (#0317) from Hambo Stamps. These four individual stamps are delightful and just make me want to dance and have a party!


I stamped each candle in Palette Noir Black Ink, and then colored them using my Stampin' Up! markers. Inbetween colors I generously dabbed Crystal Stickles (I love that stuff!), which the photo of course doesn't want to show! Imagine, if you will, glittery columns of dancing fun! I have had this Slab DP for a long time, and decided it was a good background for the candles. I used my Photo Corner Punch for a corner accent, using Pale Plum and a piece of the blue Slab DP. I found the gold star brads in a drawer of "What is all this stuff?" and added them, along with the square brads. Got out some funky fibers and attached it with another star brad, and these little guys are ready to wish someone a special day!
Stamps: Hambo Stamps
Paper: Bashful Blue, River Rock, Pale Plum, Naturals White, Slab DP
Ink: Copic Marker C-1, Palette Noir Black, Yoyo Yellow, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Bliss Blue, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Crystal Stickles, funky fibers, gold star and square brads, photo corner punch, dimensionals

Over at the Hambo blog, Monica posted about a friend's father, who is in need of a special wheelchair van. Monica and Tim are donating 15% of all Hambo sales in July toward this cause! Isn't that awesome?? Please take a moment to read her post, and then hop on over and order some fun stuff at the website!!

July's edition of Sheetloads of Cards is out! You won't want to miss this fun "Christmas in July" issue! Get a head start!


Dawn Marie over at Dawn's Special Creations gave me a fun award yesterday:

Thank you so much!! I will be sharing this and passing it along to some other blogging friends later today or tomorrow!

I am working on a project that Sue over at StampnDaly sent me and hope to post that tomorrow as well!

On a personal note, thank you for all the prayers for my dad and my little beagle. My dad is improving daily in in-patient rehab! My little beagle will probably be frolicking and running with all my other dogs that have left this world by early next week. :( She has continued to lose weight and I am needing to carry her most places. We don't want to prolong her suffering (she sleeps most of the day and is not in pain, as she has pain meds), but would like to wait until my daughter and son go to North Carolina on Sunday. But we may need to do something before then and will see how today goes~

On a lighter note, LOTS of news at Stampin' Up! The new Stampin' Up! Decor Elements are now available for purchase! I have ordered three and am excited to get them! Contact me if you are interested in placing an order or in seeing the new line (brochure cover in sidebar).
All stamp sets that are new to the Fall-Winter 2008 catalog will be die-cut. No more trimming, no more uneven edges. Just punch out the rubber image, place it on the wood block, attach the sticker and you are good to go!
Demonstrators saw a sneak peek of some of the new sets, including hostess sets, some fun new embellishments, Designer Series Paper and a new Scalloped Edge Punch!!!
Several of the new hostess sets will be available in both English and Spanish.
Finally, a great Hodgepodge Hardware promo!
All Hodgepodge Hardware finishes in the current catalog are being offered at a special 25 percent discount from July 1 through August 10 (or while supplies last - so order now!). So lots of fun stuff there! Email me at lidaroseroz@gmail.com if you are interested in any of the Stampin' Up! products!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I Love July!


Wow! There are a lot of things going on in July! My husband and I will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary on the 24th, my birthday is on the 15th, I am directing "The Music Man" at our community theater and that opens the 17th, my son returns to North Carolina on the 6th - with my daughter in tow for a week! - fireworks and picnics for the 4th, and for the whole month I am a Guest Designer for Hambo Stamps!

I wanted to show you two Hambo cards today using basically the same layout with a totally different look. The first one uses one of my favorite stamps, the Seahorse! First I stamped the Seahorse twice in Palette Noir Black Ink, and watercolored him using reinkers and an aqua brush. I used a Polished Stone background made with Taken With Teal and Mint Melody (retired Stampin' Up! - Gable Green would work!) for my sea, and cut seaweed from shimmery green paper (The Paper Studio).
The waves were made with Fiskars Decorative Scissors - Clouds turned upside-down and then layered to offset each piece. Crystal Stickles were added on the white layer. I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the white background, and layered it on two pieces of textured cardstock by DCWV. The sentiment is stamped in Cool Caribbean and then outlined with Copic Marker C-1 for a subtle shadow. The seahorse is cut out and layered on oval scallops (Marvy) and Stickles are added to his fins. It's all finished off with a little fish eyelet to match!

The second card is basically the same layout, with the background layers changed, and the sentiment punched out with Stampin' Up!'s scallop punch.
I added a little heart charm I found in my stash of doodads to my ribbon with jump rings. The Sleepy Moon is also stamped with Palette Noir Black and watercolored with Barely Banana and Lovely Lilac ink. Each piece was then cut out and mounted on dimensionals for depth. The background papers are pieced together and then the Wright's Baby Rick Rack is attached over the seams with Glue Dots. A little Stickles for some nighttime shine, different colored brads in the corners, and Sleepy Moon is ready to announce a Special Delivery!


Thank you to Monica and Tim, the owners of Hambo Stamps, for such a fun opportunity this month. I love the humor and fun artwork of their stamps and have quite a collection! Be sure to check out their website! I hope you will come back and visit often this month to see more Hambo projects!

Let the fireworks begin!