Flock together! Did your mom say that to you? My mom did.

MOM-“Dont hang out with her she is a “floosie” and you dont want to be thought of one too”

ME-“She is NOT! And Im not like that. Just cause I hang out with her doesn’t mean I am like her.”

MOM- “Everyone knows Birds of a feather flock together, and if you hang out with her it will be assumed you are like her” “Dont be niave”

Me-“Whatever mom. You dont know what you are talkin about”

10 years later-now I know! LOL! I think you do associate people by thier friends. NO I wasnt a floosie in school and lookin back-um yeah, my friend would definitely be considered so! LOL! Thankfully I suffered no permanent damage from the “flock” Luckily I was always my own person, and never succumed to peer pressure. Id like to consider my self the leader not the follower! So I didnt get caught up in alot of stuff, and was still popular. I really hope my kids have this quality cause the world is gettings scary!

OK sorry about that! LOL! Got way off base. you come here to read about cardmaking, not my teen years!

Anyway. My challenge is for one of my favorite things- FUN FLOCK!

I hope you get to play.

I LOVE this set by Stampendous called Feather Flourish. I also used because of you (no idea why SU retired it but that is a whole nother rant)

I flocked and paper pieced the various pieces. Really cool! Im also LOVING my layout. You know sometimes when YOU ROCK! Thats how I feel about this card! 😀

The paper is Penelope’s Potpourri by SEI. Ribbon is Martha Stewart.

All my lil flowers use my EK success punch that is exactly the same as the SU! Trio flower punch!

Anyway-Hope you like this challenge and make the time to play along! You have all week! At least chatter with me in the thread!

Jen (aka genie1314) posted a challenge today to ONLY use clear acrylic stamps! WAHOOOOOOO! Where do I start? I have just about every MFT stamp set made (happy dance).

When I FIRST tried acrylic stamps I have to say in all honesty I HATED un mounted images PERIOD! Acrylix, cling or ezmount- I was like yuck too much work.

WOW how times change people. The more I used them the more I grew to love them. I even prefer UM now! I love no trimming for the most part. The storage is HUGE No worries how I mount them (Im a perfectionist for that) and I can see where its positioned.

At first I had a hard time with the acrylic getting a good image, but quickly learned that for those,I place a mousepad under my cardstock, then stamp it. This helps alot.  I dont get the squished gummy bear look/feel. So try it.

Plus once you get use to taking them on and off the blocks- easy peasy. I have alot of acrylic blocks in various sizes so that helps.

OK back to the challenge!

So I thought not only would I use clear stamps, but add a see through layer using my stamps as well.

That being said, I stamped the sentiment (thank you block) from Behind the Scenes on vellum cardstock.

I love the paper used on it. Its by DMD, and was found at Target. It was also used on my card done yesterday.

The trees are from the newly released Falling for you set. There is a mini sneak peak set used on this card too-Im not tellin!

I love that I made this card in like a whopping 7 minutes! Now that is cool.

Easy Elegance is Sharon’s (aka notimetostamp) challenge today. This is my sample for it.

She said simple, and clean, with a few key embellishments.

I think this fits the bill don’t you? Clean, simple with a few extra touches. Not too over done but embellished.

I was in the mood to take photos at my window lately. Just mix it up a bit. Plus the greenery in the back brings out the green in the image-right? LOL!

I used Natural Ivory for this card. I love it much more than plain’ole vanilla cardstock. More professional looking IMO.

Im totally LOVIN Wasabi! Who would have thought. Its really a nice green. I HATE Garden Green and this is a much better choice for SU! The other panel is Guava.

I LOVE the Agapanthus image from Stampendous. Its just so pretty. As are alot of their natur images I ahve accquired.

So here is what I did…..

I stamped the image with White StazOn onto an acetate sheet. I then used my Poppin Acetate technique, with my Pebbles Pearlescent chalks. So the image shimmers IRL. LOVE those chalks. Haven’t touched my SU! ones since. I have both sets.

Once that was done, I layered the acetate onto a vellum paper layer (NOT vellum cardstock cause its a little more frosted than vellum PAPER). I attached the two layers using glue dots under the flower images.

Adhered that layer with gold brads. Attached it all and then tied witha sheer ivory ribbon. Over the knot I attached a fabric brad by K & co.

So that is my version of EASY elegance.

This card really only took about 15 min to make. Not too shabby.

Hey check this out!

https://greengrassstamps.typepad.com/wherecreativitygrows/2007/07/new-stamps.html#comment-77179108

When I saw Sharon’s Challenge to create a tolie inspired card I knew I had to try it.

I was think FRENCH influence with this and love toile in blue’s and burgundy’s. Since these are my two most used colors these days (soft sky, blue bayou) I figured Id go with the blues.

I did THREE bkgds for this! Baroque (OMG! Lovin this one), Aida cloth (much neglected) and Garden Silhouettes (LOVE IT)

Carte Postale is generally NOT my thing, but I got it anyway. I have to say I have to say I do love it, and have yet to regret purchasing it.

Another favorite- Garden Silhouettes! OMG! Im just in love with it. And it was perfect for the “job”.

So here you have it.

My ribbon is Martha Stewart of course. Lots of layers and faux stitching, and DTP.

Anyway-hope you like my attempt!

Hope you get to play.

Tune in tomorrow for my challenge! And my samples for some of the other challenges. Its going to be a FUN week!

DARE to get DIRTY is finally here! A super cool week of challenges. All the SCS Dirty Dozen, current and Alumni, have worked hard on their challenges and samples for this week.

I hope you have fun, time to play, and really enjoy it. I love all the challenges on SCS, and found it to really help me grow as a stamper. So, a whole week of multiple challenges really ROCKS!

I am hosting a COOL Challenge tomorrow, and a Sketch Challenge Tuesday the 31st!! So check in, and I hope you will join me!

This card-Fall Friendship was done for Jen’s (aka genie1314) Sketch today

I thought Jens sketch was really cool. I love lots of fun layers.

I was really in a fall mood when I saw THIS Francesca ribbon by Strano in my stash. I had just enough to make this card! Great way to use my scraps. The ribbon doesn’t go around the card, its secured with a button at the other end.

The patterned paper is from a slab I got at Target.

I stamped and colored (copic markers) my Falling For You set (sentiment is Sassy Sayings) by MFT Stamps. This image is my particular favorite from the set. I then used my scalloped circle punch to create and scalloped window, from chocolate chip, to mount over my image.

I have a tiny leaf punch (michaels $1 spot), so I punched a bunch from patterned paper and attached them randomly all over!

Instead of a circle for Jen’s sketch I placed my leaf (from Prima pretty cool huh?) instead.

My colors on this card are-Wasabi, Rust, Choc. Chip, and Pumpkin Pie.

Thanks for looking 😀

 Doggy Days

I can’t believe I actually made a “pet” card. I am actually thinking more like a “Ruff Day” type of card! LOL!

This is for Anna Wight’s Challenge (aka SweetMissDaisy). She wanted cards done for, or by animals and pets! LOL!

I had this set from Gel-A-Tins called Pet Shop (very suiting dont ya think) and thought it should see some ink.

The tag is a paw punch, as are the little dog bones. I got this dog treat paper “somewhere”??? The ribbon was JoAnn’s $1 bobbin I had for like 2 years! LOL!

I had NO IDEA where I was going with this and struggled immensely with the overall design. DESPITE the fact that the set is super cute-I did it no justice! Its was one of those, you have one idea, that tirns into somehting else. That can usually be better than the original, but often not. Well that is what happened here! LOL!

But hey you win some you lose some. That is why they are called CHALLENGES right?

Who is having a ruff day besides me?

DID YOU KNOW the following things

First do you know tomorrow starts the Dare to Get Dirty week of challenges? No? Well check it out HERE

Did you also know that Tulips are my favorite flower? No? Well then you dont read my blog! LOL! At least not my every word. And thats OK I probably wouldn’t either.

Do you know that Tulips stand for generally PERFECT LOVE! Here is a cool article on the Meaning of Tulips

Do you know the meaning of your favorite flower? No? Well check it out HERE. There is pretty much like every flower meaning imaginable.

Does your favorite flower reflect your personality in any way? Good question right.

I think mine does.

OK read on!

 Garden of Tulips

Well here is a card with my favorite flower! Im really liking this set. Im also loving Groovy Guava! LOL! I just kept thinking about the colors of tulips and how much I love both butterflies AND tulips. This is a simple whimsical , yet elegant card.

People say I have a distinct “style” and I dont know what the name of it is-but I think this is ME! I can never tyr to be like anyone else cause thats when I struggle! So whatever you do always be true to yourself. Even with current trends. If they arent you, then just dont go there! I can’t do vintagey stuff well. So I dont really go there. I do what I love.

The tulips were stamped 3 times, and cut twice, so they appear to be “open” when you see it IRL. Lots of dimension here, which can really make a WOW! I used versamagic ink for my images. I like the rick color they give. I love that sentiment! Its how I feel about alot of my PSF’s! (pretend stamping friends) They can pick up on my mood and know just when to pop in and say hi! Its really cool.

The scallop is by SU! And yes mine is fine (so far). I love SU Stitiched ribbon too. YUMMY

 Simple Sympathy

I got a note home yesterday that one of Alexa’s therapists lost her mother. I made this simple understaed, yet somehow cheerful sympathy card for her. Maybe Ill make another-I dont know yet.

See – I CANT do a sympathy card without butterflies! I dont know what it is! I find them so suitable.

Anyway-the black sentiment really pops. I was going to do alot more but figured this be best left like it is. I love ONE LAYER cards! Everytime I go to Target I browse the card section, and I swear if I saw a card like this I would be like DUH? I can do that!

Its a very inspirational section. I would love to bring my camera! LOL!

Ill be picking a  random card winner for my last post later today. If you get picked Ill email you for your address.

Take time to stop and smell your favorite flower.

Check in tomorrow for some amazing samples for the Dare to get Dirty week! Ill have new stuff everyday. But dont I usually?????

Thanks for checkin in

Oh to be floating along, with a nice tropical drink in hand! LOL!

I LOVE this cat. She is so sassy lookin-just like me 😀 And so relaxed

OK not really, but I do love her. This was a quickie card, just so I could get her inked! Plus I love the colors of the Junkitz paper, with the swirly lines.

I colored her with my Copic’s.

Nothin special. Like I said a quick design. Id love to send her off to someone, and Ill stamp some images of her if you want-

All you have to do is tell me your favorite drink! Ill randomly pick someone to send this to.

My current favorite is (besides my 2 cups of Dunkin Donuts daily coffee )

Kahluah mixed with Vanilla Bean Chiller by Tastefully Simple! (TS is a home based business like SU only food) My friend Tracey is signing up so if you NEED something Ill send you her way. AMAZING food! Love it! I have lots of faves. If you know them what do you love???

I also love Blue Hawiian’s, and pina colada’s! Oh yeah and frozen mudslides.

WOW I sound like a lush! I truly hardly ever consume alcohol, and when I do its limited to ONE! Im quite the light weight. I also dont like to TASTE the alcohol so if it has that flavor I add more mix!

Crazy I know…………….

OK I dont like to “drink” alone so what is yours?

A Tool Taxi.

What is it? Its a  6 tools in one, made by Fiskars.

What you get-You get this pink tool, that has clear glue with applicator, a rubber adhesive eraser, tweezer attachment, hobby blade, embossing stylus, and a rub on stylus.

I tokk it apart to give you a visual of the pieces. The double ended attachment-easily twists on and off for easy exchange of tool.

Why is it called a tool taxi? Well, I honestly have NO idea. I think the name is strange considering its use, but hey, it works right.

How much did it cost? I got mine at Target for $7.99. Pretty good deal for ALL that in one item.

If you break down the “possible” cost of these items separately (averaged from my past purchases, not exact quotes)

embossing stylus-about $3+

adhesive eraser – $2 +

rub on stylus- HMMMM, never seen one to buy, but I guess a Popsicle stick is just about free.

hobby blade- can run $2-$8 depending on how fancy shmancy you go.

tweezers-again not entirely sure- we will go with $2

glue- again say $2

Bottom line-getting it all in one-PRICELESS! 😀 You could save a considerable amount of money I suppose.

Why did I decide to get one? Cause I’m all about consolidation. Plus it looked cool. If I can get 6 tool in one then it was worth trying out. It saves alot of space, and searching for what tool I need.

How does it work? Well its kind of cool. The attachments twist on and off. and store in the cap. Its a neat littel gadget.

What else do I like about it? Well I LOVE the stylus. I have the cheapo $2.50 wood stylus from Stampin Up! and have always liked it better than the Empressor stylus that costs about $10. I think the smaller head allows you to get into smaller spaces when dry embossing, and gives a crisper embossed image.

 (sneak peek at an upcoming set)

Hobby Blade-I absolutely LOVE this part of the tool, because again the handle style on this gives me the control I need when using this. (No Photo cause I really didnt feel like slicing anything today! LOL)

Tweezers-these work really well. Especially for placing the little rhinestones on things. These are however, not the type of tweezers you’d use to hold an image you are heat embossing because you have to pinch them closed. I dont generally use tweezer alot anyhow.

Adhesive eraser- I like this one because its smaller than the other honkin huge erasers I have. When you have that little bit of runover, it gets right into that small area much easier. Again that contoured handle is great.

Rub on stylus-HOLY MOLY! Let me tell you once you use this thing you will NEVER use a Popsicle stick again. My rub-ons just went on so easy using this stylus. Im in love!!!! Usually after applying rub-ons (an item Im getting more into), my fingers would kill from rubbing with the Popsicle stick-no longer my friend.

Glue-OK I could do without the glue! Honestly havent even tried it. Id rather stick with my Tombow mono-multi and other things like that. Im sure it could be cool in some way.

So, this tool sells me because  I like the way it handles for use with all the attachments. I like the all in one feature, and feel its reasonably priced!

If you decide to get one Id love your feedback on it.

Here is a submission REJECT I’ll share using my stylus.

I used the rub-on, SU! Oval punch, and horizontal slot punch for the reindeer. Used wire for the antlers. I designed the box myself. The band wraps around the entire box.

The stamp you see on the tag is by Green Grass Stamps, and can be seen HERE. Its called Christmas Cards.

Thanks for reading.