I Like Shiny Things!

Ok, so these are more glittery and shimmery than shiny but I like those things, too.

These were a couple of birthday cards for friends with August birthdays and I needed to wait until they were received before I posted them (I think I've waited long enough).

 

Can you see the shimmery goodness here??

Recipe: Stampendous stamp, colored with Copics, Versamark applied to the whole image and embossed with Judikins Iridescent Sparkle powder. Lasting Impressions polka dot paper, Fiskars Threading Water border punch, adhesive gems, ribbon.

More shimmers

Recipe: MFT stamp colored with Copics, Versamarked and embossed with the same powder, BoBunny yellow polka dot paper, Papertrey Polka Dot Basics stamps, Palette Hybrid Canvas White ink, adhesive gems (Hero Arts).

I may have gone a little over the top with the blinginess on this one, with the gems in the corners, too, but I like it.

Recipe: Hero Arts stamps (main image and background) I'm not sure who makes the Happy Birthday stamp, Marvy markers for coloring the stamp before stamping, same drill as above, Palette Hybrid Canvas White ink, Hero Arts gems, SU photo corner punch.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Going round the corner

With the Fiskars Threading Water punch. Watch this - it works!

More Than Ink

That's the name of the online store that I just received an order from and wanted to pass along to you all. They have a storefront in Chicago which we visited a couple of years ago, but I had no idea they had an online store as well. They have all of the new Cuttlebug folders and dies along with bunches of other stuff. Their shipping is reasonable and they ship quickly. There was a small error in my order and they were very quick to respond and extremely helpful about fixing it. It's so nice to find a store, online or otherwise, that has such excellent customer service, good prices and a large selection of "schtuff" and I just thought I would pass the link along to you all:

More Than Ink

Go shop, you have permission. Really.

Michaels Coupon

Michaels coupon - 40% off, good through August 30.

Enjoy!

This bird has rhythm!

This is too cool - you have got to check it out!

Dancing Bird

A New Look

I decided the cupcakes had done their job and it was time for a new look. The link to where I found this beautiful background is over there on the right side. Check it out, she has some beautiful backgrounds and they are so easy to use!

What do you think, do you like the new look?

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm having a wonderful birthday already! My friends at Stamper's Alley threw a little party this evening for those of us having birthdays in August. There was scrumptious homemade chocolate cake and cupcakes (calories removed, they said) and DH even brought some cupcakes - we're all sugared up now! They gave me some wonderful gifts and I have received some beautiful cards from friends, here and in Florida. Wanna see?

From Brenda:

Vicki:

Connie:

Robin:

Pat & Joe:

Emogene & Buddy:

      

Karen:

Summer (In Florida):

Joy:

Donna (in Florida):

and last but certainly not least, Barbara:

Thank you all so much - I love every one of them and I am so lucky to have you all for friends - you are the best!

I will post the blog candy photos tomorrow - probably later in the day since I didn't get to it tonight, obviously.

Sleep well everyone.

Stamping Challenges to Love

The Stampingals of Stamping Links to Love are hosting some challenges. Each week one of the gals will set the challenge and this week it is Theresa's turn. She's calling it "Out of the Box" and is giving away awesome candy for one lucky randomly chosen participant. At the end of the challenge she will pick her favorite card to be featured on the blog.

More details here - go check it out!

Cuttlebug Border Embossing Folder Solution

These border folders are really cool and I was a little disappointed when they left a crease on either edge of the folder and also flattened the texture of Bazzill cardstock. Jay has posted several really good solutions on her blog, Indigo Inklings, and I just found another one. I have the Big Shot so I don't know how it would work in the Cuttlebug, since they don't have a Multipurpose Platform. Maybe shim on the bottom with a little chipboard?

Here's the sandwich I used - from the bottom up:

• The Multipurpose Platform using Tab 2
• Cardstock with the embossing folder
• Black Sizzix embossing mat or tan Spellbinders embossing mat
• Clear plate

Roll it through and Voila! - no edge marks! The tan mat seems to be the same thickness as the black one, but it does flatten the paper texture slightly more for some reason. No need to cut the mats either, just lay them down as they are.

I don't have a band saw so I didn't cut up my acrylic plates but I did buy craft sticks, which do work well, but I like this method much better - so now what do I do with all of those craft sticks???? Good thing they were cheap.

Happy Anniversary...

to us! Our 12th anniversary was August 3 and to commemorate the event I made this card for DH:

I must confess it was not my original idea, the layout was borrowed from Kim Teasdale and I just changed it up a bit. The heart is a Stampendous clear stamp embossed with Judikins Egyptian Gold, the decorative corners are Cuttlebug dies, scalloped and plain ovals are Nestabilities, and the rest should be apparent.

We had a nice quiet day together and went to the movies to see Mamma Mia! It was really better than I expected. I am not a huge fan of musicals but I enjoyed this one and would see it again. I remembered much of the music from "the old days" and some I had never heard. The only Abba music I heard back then was whatever they played on the radio - Dancing Queen, Fernando, etc. DH is a huge Abba fan so he really liked it - it was a good time.

Since I have been the lucky recipient of several blog candies lately I will be having a giveaway of my own very soon, so check back later in the week. My birthday is this Saturday and that just might be a good time to give some of YOU a present or two :-)