X's and O's...Tic-Tac-Toe

X's and O's mean 'hugs' and 'kisses' here!!

My husband made me a bunch of 'tic-tac-toe' boards out of luan a few years ago...have had them stashed away in a drawer not knowing what I was going to do with them...until now!! I decided to make the X's and O's (hugs and kisses) for Valentine's Day! The board measures 4 1/2"x 4 1/2" and is unfinished. I thought about painting them, or staining them...but this was WAY easy!!

Here is the back (again...stamped with Staz-On ink)

Directions:

First I stamped the X's and O's using Staz-On ink (so the ink would not smear) onto the More Amore Specialty DSP (129309). I used clear flat marbles, added just a dab of Crystal Effects (101055) to the back of the marble and pressed it down centered over the letter. Press firmly to squeeze the Crystal Effects out to the edges (removing any air bubbles). Allow to dry (approx. 10 minutes). Trim the DSP cutting as close to the underside of the marble as you can. I then used a sanding block to smooth the edges and sponged some ink.
Note: the stamp set I used here is Lovely Letters Alphabets (115030 W, 127796 C)

Pretty easy huh?? Give it a try!! If you are interested in purchasing any Tic-Tac-Toe boards, leave me a comment or send me an email stampingwitherin@yahoo.com  for details. 

February is a crazy busy month...birthdays galore!! In yesterday's post I mentioned my niece's birthday...at the end of the month is mine (but I am not getting any older!) and the day after mine is my brothers! In addition...the 19th is my Mom's anniversary..and my step-dad's birthday. For them I try to incorprate one card...two occasions (you know...two birds one stone?) Of course you also have Valentine's Day...so it's a perfect time for Stampin' Up!'s promotion Sale-a-Bration!!

Here is a birthday card I made for our neighbor (his B-day is 1/31) See what I mean about a busy month??

Not sure why this picture is crooked~ could be the few glasses of wine I drank before taking it (wink).

It uses a stamp set that I earned FREE from Sale-a-Brations called Feeling Sentimental (129627 W, 129630 C) and you can too!! Click here for details!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: Feeling Sentimental (129627 W, 129630 C), En Francais (109521 W)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Access: stampin sponges (101610), glue dots (103683), silver designer buttons (129325), 7 16" natural trim ribbon (129287)

This next little tease it pretty cool~ just a sneak peak of my tea stained fabric!!

If you have noticed in some of my pictures previously posted...I like country decor~ 'primitive' is what I call it...me likey!! Now...that's not to say that I don't like the More Amore fabric (129307) the way it is.

But...this suits me MUCH better!!! The grungier the better...don't worry I will post what I have done with it when it's finished!! Here is what I did.

When I made the paper roses...posted here. I thought about making them look 'grungy' and dunked it into a cup of hot water with an opened tea bag. Not good...not good at all...my petals fell apart (soaked up too much water) and I'm sure the heat didn't help much either..Oops!!

Then the light went on inside my little 'pee' brain and I thought about our fabric~ tore a strip of it, crumpled it up and in the cup it went. Left it in there for about 30 minutes and rinsed the herbs off. It looked great, smelled heavenly and I couldn't wait to dye/stain more!!!

Have fun...dye it~ don't drink it!!
Let me know if you have any questions, or please leave me a comment and make my day!!

BIG hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

CC413 Color Challenge

What a weekend!! It flew by~  Saturday we went to my brother's to celebrate his daughter Kaia's birthday. She turned 3 and is the cutest thing ever...the theme was 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. Her momma is like me...and crafty!! Here are a few pictures..and she too 'thanks' Pinterest for inspiration!!

I made her an album instead of card to remember her special day:

This was made using a retired stamp set called Bugs & Kisses. This photo is the book, which I had in a cello bag, topped with the tag...perfect stamp set to use right??

Sadly I spent the remaining part of the weekend in bed..sick!! Recently I was thinking about just how lucky I have been...kept hearing about the 'terrible' flu going around and it seriously made me want to crawl into a hole and hide!! The kids have had a few runny noses here and there..but nothing too serious. So today..I decided to 'feel' better and stamp!
Off to www.splitcoaststampers.com I went!

Today's Color Challenge is called CC413 'A White Lucky Tangerine'. You are to use Whisper White, Tangerine Tango and Lucky Limeade and my first thought was the flag for Ireland~ how could you not??

Well... I grabbed the colors and the new single stamp called Lucky Day (129177 W). Then I spent way too much time staring at the card stock and waiting for the 'magic' to happen.
No such luck...'Luck O' the Irish'?? I think not..at least for today anyway.

Instead of using Whisper White, I decided to use Very Vanilla (close enough!!). That would allow me to use a neutral DSP...my favorite First Edition Specialty DSP (121878).  I then put back the Lucky Day stamp and grabbed the new Swallowtail stamp (129213 W, 129216 C). I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stamp...I was excited when Stampin' Up! came out with the Sunflower HUGE background stamp...and this one is just as beautiful!!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: Swallowtail (129213 W, 129216 C), Kindness Matters (122900 W, 122902 C)
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Access: linen thread (104199), Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (122332), heat tool (129053), Tangerine Tango embossing powder (123106), Crumb Cake stampin' write marker, color spritzer tool (107066), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), glue dots (103683), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), scallop trim border punch (118402)

Anyway...it was fun to play along with SCS's Color Combo. It had been awhile since I joined in~ hope you like it, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!! Take care and be well!!

~Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

To 'CASE' or not to 'CASE'...is the question

Hello there and welcome~ can't wait to share with you today's post. In my personal collection of blogs that I LOVE to follow is Elizabeth Price's blog. Be sure to add it to yours~ she is AMAZING!!

I will get to her and my 'CASE' in just a moment...but first let me explain.
The past couple of weeks months have been trying. Since before Christmas, a time that everyone should be celebrating with family and friends is often the worst time of the year for me and my family. My husband is a self-employed contractor/carpenter and this time of year is always slow. Lately is has been extremely difficult finding work and he has been home quite a bit. If you live locally....call me!! He is great~ has TONS of references and can do just about anything!!

Anyway...a few weeks ago can't even remember when, Aiden my youngest came to inform me that there was a leak in the basement...the ceiling. Ughhh!! After holes were cut we discovered that it was 'minor' (thank-goodness!) Then a week later, the toilet in the half bath started making funny sounds, it would run all the time, gurgle and gasp as if it were coming alive! It's also the only toilet we have not yet replaced in the house (what does that mean???) We had a hard time finding the guts to fix what was wrong...not sure of the exact 'toilet' lingo~ but anyway John fixed that yesterday and started repainting the walls and ceiling in the basement because he was home. So...for that I am grateful that he is as 'handy' as he is...and could help me put the basement back together for Stamp Camp this Friday (yup...tomorrow!!)

Well...wouldn't you know it, I went into the storage closet late last night and noticed water under the water heater...SERIOUSLY????
I think I have kept my sanity throughout this time with stamping...and a few glasses bottles of wine.
Luckily it doesn't seem to be anything major...it has to do with the water pressure coming into the house and since we replaced the guts in the toilet...the pressure seemed to be building in the water heater and was coming out of the overflow pipe. So... we need to install an expansion tank?? I just nod and agree...sip more wine and stay out of the way holding a flashlight when asked. So at some point over the weekend, he'll try to tackle the water heater. In the meantime...momma had to get ready for Stamp Camp!!

That is when I decided that the easiest thing to do was to get on the computer and search for inspiration...I came across Elizabeth's beauty (click here)and the light bulb went on...angels were singing...you get the idea!

To CASE means to (C) copy (A) and (S) steal share (E) everything. So...I did and thank-you to Elizabeth for creating such a beauty and making my life a wee bit less stressful!!

We will also make a coordinating gift:

It's a 2 1/2"x 3 1/2" frame I found and I'm sure it will brighten someones day. For Valentine's or any other occasion.

Supplies (for both)
Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter (129252 C), Tiny Tags (118592 C), Sale-a-Bration Bloomin' Marvelous (129654 C)
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Core'dinations (129321), More Amore DSP (129301)
Ink: Crumb Cake
Access: Basic Pearls (119247), linen thread (104199), 5/8" crochet trim (118481), Big Shot (113439), Honeycomb embossing folder (129378), sticky strip (104294) , jewelry tag punch (117190), small heart punch (117193), Hearts a Flutter framelits dies (130159)

Note: you can save $$ and purchase the Hearts a Flutter Bundle (131098 W, 131097 C)

Please let me know if you have any questions, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and remember to check out all of Elizabeth's beauties!!

BIG hugs,
~Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

All Dressed Up!!

My latest and greatest favorite stamp set is....drum roll please~ dadadadadadadadadada (that's my sound for a drum roll). It is featured in the current Spring Catalog on pg.32. It is available as a bundle to save you $$. You can also order the framelits that coordinate the images!!
Here is the set:

All Dressed Up (129171 W, 129174 C) it is the CUTEST!!
If you have not ordered it yet...you will want to after you see all of the cute projects you can make.
or you can purchase the bundle...be smart...get the bundle!!!
All Dressed Up Bundle (131096 W, 131095 C) (includes Dress Up framelits)

Sadly... one of my closest friends (almost wrote closet) LOL...that's kinda funny!! is going to be moving away when the school year ends. Cindy...I will miss you with all of my heart and promise to stay in touch. Our kids have grown up together and I hope we will continue to celebrate their milestones and accomplishments and vent about their mishaps and bad behavior...our kids?? They are NEVER bad!! Please know that I'm always just a phone call away when you need a 'virtual' hug and trust me...you can always count on me for support, guidance, friendship, advice and love. For you to me are a true friend...sister!

Okay...wipe away the tears!! On to cards and stamping!!

When I made this card...I thought immediately of Cindy and her family...took a quick picture of the card and asked her what she thought? I told her that it would be great for her..."Change of address"?? But...I will make another one congratulating them on their awaiting adventure (one that will be more heartfelt and make her cry). Just kidding!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: All Dressed Up (129171 W, 129174 C)
Card Stock: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Tea for Two DSP (129311)
Ink: Whisper White
Access: Stampin' Sponges (101610), basic pearls (119247), Designer Frames folders (123130), So Saffron 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122982), dimensionals (104430), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), Big Shot (113439), Dress Up Framelits dies (130101)

This next card was made for my friend Marie...like an ostrich~ my head is in the ground!! I am SO ashamed of not getting a birthday card in the mail in time for her birthday...do you think she'll forgive me when she sees this card???
Front:

Inside:

It reads: happy birthday!

fashionably late..but worth the wait.

Supplies
Stamp Set: All Dressed Up (129171 W, 129174 C)
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Sycamore Street DSP (127540)
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White
Access: Stampin' Sponges (101610), Big Shot (113439), Dress Up Framelits dies (130101), Framed Tulips embossing folder (121809), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack (118309)
Note: the 'belt' is just a sliver of scrap card stock tied in in a knot!
Now what is REALLY amazing is that these two goodies..stamp set and framelits ALSO coordinate with our new Card Base Pop'n Cut (130099) and Dress Form Pop 'n Cuts (130100) (sold separately)

Check out this video demonstration to learn more:

 

You can also visit www.stampinup.com/showmehow to learn more on how to use these products together (just scroll down until you see the Card Base Pop 'n Cuts)

 

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think, or if you have any questions!!

 

 

Stampin' hugs,

Erin

 

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)

website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net

email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com 

 

 

Valentine's Day Decor cont.

Good morning!! I was SO relieved that we didn't get any snow lastnight. They were calling for a couple of inches and we didn't get any flakes at all!! YAY!
Seems as though the last few weeks the kids have really lucked out ~ we have had cancellations, delays and momma was wanting to STAMP!!!

When they are home, things just don't get done around here as they should (wink). What that really means...is that momma becomes lazy and plays way too many computer games than I should.
Or I spend too much time on stamping blogs, Pinterest, Facebook and well...you know the deal!

Just a quick post on a few more Valentine's Day decorations I recently made.

This first one is a glass block that is filled with a strand of white lights.
I made one last year, click here for that example. These are fun, lots that you can do with them...and the the hole is already there for the wire!! (Found this one at Lowes)

Here is a close-up of the top:

A couple of new products are used here...LOVING the Artisan Embellishment kit (129328) shown on pg.10 in the mini catalog!!
Here is how I got started...

Looking at all the goodies that come in the kit...I became inspired.
First I decided that I wanted another banner made with the More Amore Specialty DSP (129309).
Here is the banner:

Bad photo...(I know)...took this one with my cell phone.
Here are hopefully some better ones...I think the lighting is distorting the colors.
Bad camera too, ugh!

This one is of the back (it's still pretty!)
Here is another of the front: (don't remember if I used the flash on this one or not)

'Be Mine' is what it reads.
Here is a close-up of 'Mine'

Pretty self-explanatory...Big Shot and the Perfect Pennants Bigz l die (123126)
If you look at the kit contents again...there are these adorable little roses attached to some floral wire. I didn't know what I wanted to do with them yet...and I still have lots of other embellishments too.

I knew that I wanted to try making paper roses...have you ever heard of coffee filter roses? That was where I started...and played for a day....an ENTIRE day and wasn't happy with any of them. Then I started all over and began searching tutorials and found this site. I basically 'CASED' her idea and voila~ these are made using the ornament punch!!

Here is what I did for the back:

I hope to do a quick video tomorrow...stay tuned!!

Now my shelf is finished!! Me gusta mucho!!

Please let me know if you have any questions, or leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!
Have a great day!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com