CC428 and it's almost June!!!

Anyone else as excited as I am about June arriving?? Not only is it when the new 2013 Idea Book & Catalog go live~ but it screams summer!! School will be ending..and just as January and September signal new beginnings in the year so does June. Summer weekends, vacations and even weekdays that linger longer~ I remember when I was younger my mother said we could stay outside playing until the street lights came on.

Of course it also means 'air-conditioning'...right?? This Spring has been crazy, just this past Memorial weekend the evenings got so chilly that overnight the heat came on!! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend, things have been crazy here~ not so much in a good way either. But this weekend was perfect!!

Not only did I get my best score ever bowling...198 (and I also beat the hubby!) But the weather was beautiful enough during the day to head outside and enjoy the sunshine. We enjoyed an afternoon at a local wild animal park (Wilson's Wild Animal Park).

Here are a few photos:

Seriously...how do you not smile when you see this face??

The lemurs were our favorite...look at the baby!!

The biggest treat for me was this~

I can not even tell you the last time we (as an entire family were together, happy, healthy and carefree!!).  
From the left: Ryan, Aiden, (me), John, Regan and Tyler. Love it!!
Bonus: The park bench was long enough to fit my whole brood!!

I mentioned in a previous post that I was trying to get caught up on my blog to keep you all up-to-date on promotions, and all of the goodies retiring...etc. But...if you have been good little stampers (and you know who you are) you have already have been on my website to check things out!!

Reminder: This Friday (May 31st) is the last day to order from the current Spring Mini catalog and the current Idea Book & Catalog!!

Today I decided that I would participate in the SCS Color Combo. The colors you had to use are Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Pool Party. I thought a 'beachy' themed card would be perfect...so when I went to my stash I grabbed the Postage Due stamp set. The dessert option was to do some paper-piercing (who doesn't love a calorie free dessert??)

Note: Everything used here on this card will still be available June 1st. except for the color Lucky Limeade...but if you like love it, swap it out for another color!!


Supplies
Stamp Set: Postage Due (126397 C), My Friend (122587 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Vellum
Ink: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Versamark
Access: Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Paper-Pierce Tool (126189), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Heat Tool (129053), Silver embossing powder (109131), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings embosslits (118138), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), 2-Way glue pen (100425), Platinum Shimmer paint (retired) :(

That's it for me today...thanks for stopping by!! Until next time~ happy stampin'!
~ Erin

CC417 'Get Whale Soon'

Hope this post finds that you are doing well...no illnesses to speak of, no injuries and hopefully NO MORE COLD WEATHER!! It was a beautiful weekend here in Winchester, Va. Both Saturday and Sunday were close to 60 (give or take a couple degrees) and SUNNY!!! Before you know it..it will be allergy season and time to start mowing the grass!! Yay(well...not the allergy part)!

Yesterady I didn't get any stamping done...was kinda pooped after a visit from my personal trainer. Then my maid came and cleaned the house...then a chef made came and made a delicious dinner...Ha! Then I woke up!! So when the evening had ended..I enjoyed a glass bottle of red and watched the finale to the Bachelor.

Today however is a different story, I decided it was time to make some St. Patty's treats. Those I will share with you tomorrow. Along with a video perhaps...we'll see. I visited SCS and looked up the color combo for some inspiration.

CC417 is the 'Color Combo' for the day: 'A Certain, Bashful Delight'...cute!!! Yes, they are indeed some 'springy' colors but as I started thinking about what I was going to make, I first thought 'baby'. Funny how you start with an idea and it goes in a completely different direction! The dessert option was to add a critter of sorts (butterfly, dog, cat etc.), so I went with a whale~ that's a critter right??

This card I made for my mom, she broke her foot/ankle and is in a cast and wheelchair. Ouch! 
Supplies
Stamp Set: Oh, Whale (129132 C)
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Ink: Bashful Blue, Cerainly Celery, Whisper White
Access: Big Shot (113439), Happy Whale Clearlits die (129403), linen thread (104199), Basic pearls (119247), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), stamping sponges (101610), glue dots (103683), dimensionals (104430), Needlepoint Textured impressions folder (129383), 3/4" circle punch (119873), large oval punch (119855), scallop oval punch (119856), scallop edge border punch (119882)~ and one more thing...can you guess??

Ahhh yes...you guessed it..I used the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz AGAIN!!

Until next time,
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

Color Challenge CC397 Vanilla Chocolate Pie

It has been about a week since I have stamped...shame on me! I was going through withdrawal...so thank-goodness for today's 'Color Challenge' over on SCS. It is even sounds yummy!!

Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie- Vanilla Chocolate Pie!! This is my kind of card!!

The dessert option was to make a 'Fall' themed card.

Here is my card:

When I read the colors chosen, I was excited~ but then when I went to stamp...I noticed that I didn't really have much left in my 'Pumpkin Pie' stash...(after a quick panic attack) I grabbed a piece of More Mustard CS instead for the card base and went to work. When I was coloring the leaves...I used mostly More Mustard ink...but here and there added some Pumpkin Pie.

Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Gently Falling (123804 C), Blooming with Kindness (126422 C)
Card Stock: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
Access: burlap, Postage Stamp punch (122344), More Mustard marker, Color Spritzer tool (107066), glue gun, glue dots (103683), Blender pens (102845) heat tool (129053), Vanilla Scented embossing powder (125590), Brushed Bronze Designer buttons (127833), Champagne Mish Shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol (116806)

Note: After trimming the piece of bulap, I used a leftover strand to thread the button (looks just like our linen thread!)

Please leave me a comment to make my day!!

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

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

Color Challenge CC396 'Rich Mustard @ Midnight'

This is Miss Ruby...don't let that cute little face fool you~ she is rotten!!

While I was snapping shots of cards, she was in the basement with me and my oldest sonTyler. She is very curious about anything and everything you are doing!!

She is a 1 year old Puggle...pushing 30lbs! Think it might be time that she and her momma (me) start dieting and begin to exercise!!

Or perhaps could stampin' be considered a cardio workout.. if you did it really fast?? She could be like 'Stamper' over on Ann Clemmer's blog. Perhaps not...Ruby would probably eat my stamps!!

Anyway...today is Tuesday and that means that for today's post I have my Color Challenge card to share with you. This weeks colors are: Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard and Midnight Muse. I grabbed the three colors, and thought 'Fall' but when I looked at the gallery and saw the other 'Fall' themed beauties...I changed my mind and went a different route. I used the stamp set Pleasant Poppies which sadly I had not even used yet!! I bought this set when the catalog came out because it's my Mom's favorite flower...think this card will be mailed to her. Her favorite color is purple (another plus!)...I could picture this card representing a beautiful sunset in the Arizona desert. She lives right outside of Tuscon.

Here is my card:

Inside:

This card is SO EASY...doesn't use a ton of supplies...and looks beautiful!! My kind of card. I tore a piece of scratch paper and used it as a mask and sponged away...I thought about connecting the colors..but I liked the look with the bare Naturals Ivory CS showing in between.
 
Note: On the inside, I used the sentiment 'Imagine the Possibilities' from the stamp set 'Word Play' which is available as a single stamp~ click here for more details. There are two other stamp sets that are currently available to order as SINGLE stamps!! Yay!!! Check out my Online Store under promotions for complete details!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Pleasant Poppies (129499 C), Word Play 120651 C)
Card Stock: Naturals Ivory
Ink: Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard and Versamark
Access: crochet trim (118481), heat tool (129053), Pewter embossing powder (124114), stamping sponges (101610), Designer ribbon slides (127834)

Have a great day!!

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

Color Challenge CC395 'Heartfelt Thanks'

Today's quick and easy post...momma is 'no bueno' I can hardly move. But look at me go...in major pain...I STILL managed to stamp...have you stamped today??

Color Challenge CC395 'Perfect Summer Tango'~ this week's Color Challenge over on SCS is just that...to use Perfect Plum, Summer Starfruit and Tangerine Tango. My first thought screamed Halloween and to work I went...but then my stamping mojo stalled out on me...must have been the muscle relaxers!!

So I changed it up a bit...and added dessert! When the Color Challenge is created, there is sometimes a theme or technique..and sometimes there is an optional 'dessert' option. This weeks 'dessert' was to add a 4th color, Pool Party. So now we have a Perfect Summer Tango Party!

Here is what I came up with:

It was inspired by a card shown on pg. 143 in the last Idea Book & Catalog (2011-2012).
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases (120501 C)
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit,Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum, Vellum
Ink: Sahara Sand
Access: Bitty buttons (118761), Whisper White Baker's twine (124262), Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack (118309), Summer Starfruit 3/8" satin ribbon (126846), Sahara Sand Marker, Color Spritzer tool (107066), Big Shot, (113439), Hearts Collections framelits (125599)

I cut a smaller heart than the vellum one using Sahara Sand CS and covered it with snail adhesive, punched a bunch of tiny flowers...and covered the snail. Layered it onto the vellum heart and ta-da!!
Here is a close-up:

Easy and simple...what this girl needed today...as I am now heading back to bed to rest :(

Hoping tomorrow will be better!
-Erin

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

CC394 Color Challenge 'Take-Two'

Ch-ch-ch-chilly!! What a beautiful fall morning!!! Yesterday I noticed the leaves are beginning to change here in Virginia...so pretty!

I should start counting the days that it takes me to turn the heat on in my house! (I believe that this is Day 2). It seems weird that I look forward to heading down into the basement to not only stamp...but to get warm!! I plug in my space heater at my stampin' desk (Shhhhh!).
The blinds/curtains everywhere in the house are pulled open to let the sunshine in...I know it will warm up a bit later, but wowsers...I'm sitting here drinking my coffee...which is making me mad (my cup keeps getting cold!) wearing a big ol' hoodie, sweatpants and big fluffy socks..feeling sexy!

The first thing I did this morning was check my e-mail, went to Facebook...then to www.splitcoaststampers.com to see what this weeks Color Challenge is~

These are so fun, if you have not yet tried one (any challenge) I highly recommend it. It is inspirational..get's the juices flowing. I think the coolest part is seeing what everyone else makes using the same guidelines...they are ALL different!

This week you for the CC394 Color Combination was to use Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy and Sahara Sand. I knew immediatly that I was going to use the Lovely As a Tree stamp set.

This set has been around for awhile and I still love it~

Here is my 1st card:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree (127793 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Pacific Point and Vellum
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point
Access: Big Shot (113439), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Adorning Accents folders (125601), stamping sponges (101610), 2-way glue pen (100425), metallic brads (119741), dazzling diamonds glitter (102023)

To be honest..I hate it~ I had a really tough time with these colors...guess that's why they call it a 'Challenge' . I knew I wanted to use vellum and make a mirror image of th trees..that part I was okay with. Then I started adding the Dazzling Diamonds glitter here and there along the branches and thought "Hmmmm...what about making a more defined pond. I used the Adorning Accents folder and it's really cool to use on vellum because it turns it white. Added some more glitter along that edge and sponged the water with the Pacific Point ink, hard to tell from the photo but I have attached the vellum to Sahara Sand CS and below I have a matching cut piece of Pacific Point...so I did use all the colors..just not happy with how it turned out~ so back to the drawing board.

Wait for it....

I then made this one~

Now...this one is pretty cool and the the kids LOVE it..(smile).
Here is a close-up:

Inside:

This technique is called 'Acetate and Tissue'...click here for a tutorial on SCS. I was sitting at my desk and the acetate sheet was staring at me from making the 'mirror image' on the first card....so I used it...sometimes your scraps are very useful!! The re-inker colors I used were Pacific Point and Not Quite Navy (guess you figured that!). When I flipped it over though..you really couldn't see the 'black' trees anymore so I re-stamped them using a sponge dauber and Platinum Shimmer paint.
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree (127793 C), Curly Cute (120510 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand and acetate
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point re-inker, Not Quite Navy re-inker
Access: tissue paper, platinum shimmer paint (116807), frost white shimmer mist (116854), dazzling diamonds glitter (102023), Big Shot (113439), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), vintage wallpaper embossing folder (120175), metallic brads (119741)

So all in all it was fun~ thanks to SCS for a great Color Challenge..it was a success! I made a HUGE mess, stained my fingers blue and I am positive there is glitter on my face, hair and who knows where else!! This girl can't wait to do it again next week!!

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

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

Color Challenge CC393, Lucky Primrose Pirouettes

Yay~ it's Tuesday!! I know an 'odd' day to get excited about, but my latest addiction has been the Color Challenge's at www.splitcoaststampers.com . This morning I poured my coffee and sat down to check it out...'lucky' for you it means you get another Christmas card!

This week's Challenge is to use the following colors: Lucky Limeade, Primrose Petals and Pink Pirouette~ traditional 'pink' & 'green' are HUGE here in Winchester, Va. Every year we celebrate Apple Blossom aka 'The Bloom' and throughout our town is a Pink and Green explosion! The parades, fireworks, carnival, circus and TONS of events..even celebrities (last year we had cutey-pa-tutey Mario Lopez!)

So anyway...the pink and green theme should have been easy for me BUT I don't normally think of 'winter'...it makes me think 'spring'~ hence the challenge!! Not only is it colors...but it's associated along with a theme.
Here is what I came up with:

Supplies:
Stamps: More Merry Messages (126402 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Lucky Limeade, Primrose Petals and Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP (126901)
Ink: Whisper White Craft pad (101731), Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade
Access: Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), 3/4" circle punch (119873), linen thread (104199), Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), Snow Flurry Bigz die (127813), stamping sponges (101610), Champagne Glimmer paper (127885)

Here is  close-up:

Tip: See the staple?? Well...I didn't want  a 'silver' one (that wouldn't match!) So...after a failed attempt of coloring the staples with ink and trying to heat set the ink...I noticed that the longer I held the heat tool over the staple (really closely) it started to burn (me likey!!) So I grabbed a new wad of staples and burned them...less inky mess and it's perfect!! BTW...use tweezers or another tool to hold your staples....they are gonna get HOT!

Here is the inside:

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!! Be sure to check back for next week's Challenge too!! Want to play along?? Check it out at the site mentioned above, or click here.
Since I am feeling pretty domesticated today I am going to take a stab at making homemade bread...if it works I'll share the recipe in tomorrow's post~ wish me luck!!
Happy Stampin' (and bread makin'!)
-Erin

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

9-11-01 Never Forget, CC392 Color Challange

I know what you are thinking...'WOW' two posts in one day?? Actually I meant for earlier's post to have been yesterday's post...but forgot to click the 'publish' button!! Came down this morning to sit at the computer and low and behold...it was still there staring back at me!! Oops!!

Anyway...on to officially today's post. Today is 9/11 a day that none of us can forget. I was pregnant with Aiden watching PBS (which didn't break for any news/special reports) with my daughter Regan. My husband had called and told me to turn to the news, at that time only the first plane had crashed...sadly you know the rest. My heart goes out to all of the families affected by this tradgedy and for all of the lives lost. I am also grateful for the brave men and women who gave their lives on this day 11 years ago... and who continue to serve this amazing country. Thank-you~ 9-11-01 'Never Forget'.

 In early August I went on vacation with my two youngest (Regan and Aiden) to NYC. I could not believe it was my first time! We had a great time and took in all of what this wonderful city had to offer (Spiderman on Broadway, The Empire State Building, Central Park, The Statue of Liberty, Times Square and yes...even The Naked Cowboy!).

Here are Regan and Aiden at the 9-11 Memorial which honors the 2,983 men, women and children who perished in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.

I look forward to going back and think that during the cooler months it would be beautiful to take a nice autumn stroll through Central Park, or maybe in February (my B-Day month) asking my hubby to take me ice-skating at Rockefeller Plaza. We'll see~

Guess what??? I did something for the first time today...participated in a Color Challange posted on www.splitcoaststampers.com. There is a new 'Color Challenge' posted every Tuesday and now I can't wait until next week!! This week's challenge was to use the colors; Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and Midnight Muse and create a 'Fall'/Thanksgiving themed card. It's called CC392 Crazy Midnight Pumpkin. Check it out and play along...or check back next Tuesday for more inspiration!
Here is my card:

Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Gently Falling (123804 C), Pursuit of Happiness (121970 C), Elements of Style (120045 C)
Card Stock: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP
Ink: bleach (for the background leaves) Midnight Muse, Versamark
Access: heat tool, pewter embossing powder, linen thread, dimensionals, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, dotted scallop ribbon border punch, champagne mist shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol)

I knew it needed something...so I ventured outside and found 'a stick' and attached it with linen thread. The 'For You' sentiment has two layers of dimensionals to give it a wee bit more height. When it was done...it needed shimmer~ (everything does!!) I liked it~ so I decided then to make a gift:

Here is a close-up of the candle...click here for a tutorial on how to stamp on candles..it's fun and it has been awhile since I made one.

Tomorrow I will be posting my video tutorial on how I made my burlap banners...check back then!!

Take care,
Erin
Shop online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup..net
stampingwitherin@yahoo.com