Pick a Petal for Carli

A few posts back I mentioned my husband's cousin Carli Slack and I sent out a request for cards for her. If you didn't get to see the post here is just a little bit of background.....Carli is my husband's 17 year old cousin who lives in Tampa. Carli has been in the hospital for over 6 months now. She was originally diagnosed with Leukemia and initally the outlook looked really good for her recovery. However somewhere during her treatment Carli developed Fungus Mucor on several of her organs. Fungus Mucor, until now, has been 100% fatal. Carli has been a miracle in the sense that her body has been able to keep the fungus at bay, however she does not appear to be getting better and the fear is that eventually it will overcome her.....My Mother-In-Law, who is a cancer survior squared (she survived breast cancer twice) literally sends her a card everyday to make sure Carli has some "light" in her life. Benna has recently run into a problem....She has found out that Hallmark, and Carlton cards only make so many Get well, Thinking of you cards and she is now having to send duplicates.

I have started a collection of cards to send to my mother-in-law so that she will have a "fresh" stack to send to Carli. Here is one of my first creations. I used the In-colors and the Pick-A-Petal set. I cased this card from someone off of splitcoast stampers, but I can't remember who, so if you know, please contact me so that I can give the appropriate credit. I love this color combination. It is Baja Breeze and Tangerine Tango....It is just very sunny - exactly what Carli needs.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Pick A Petal
Ink: Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa Classic, Baja Breeze Classic, Tangerine Tango Classic
Paper: Tangerine Tango CS, Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze CS
Accessories: Scallop border punch, Mat pack, Paper Piercer

I am continually making, and accepting card donations, for Carli's cause. Please check out Carli's website at http://www.carlislack.page.tl/. If you would like to help make this beautiful young girls life, just a little bit brighter, and donate some cards please contact me. No donation is too small.

I hope you enjoy this "SUNNY" card.....

Diva Coffee Break Color Challenge

So today I'm out there on the "Net" just snooping around like I do everyday and, also just like everyday, I checked out Dannie Graves blogsite...She is a great source of my inspiration. Some of her card designs are just toooo cute.....

Well today I saw that she participated in the Diva Coffee Break Color Challenge. The color combo just sucked me in - I don't know what it was about the colors - But they just screamed "TRY IT, TRY IT".....So I did....Here is the challenge for today:

The color combination just looks so cute on the pillow, but boy did it live up to it's name...It was a challenge. Unfortunately, I have to say that I'm not that happy with the results of my card....I was hoping for something a bit brighter.

Either way here is my design...I hope you enjoy.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Crazy for Cupcakes

Ink: Black Stazon, Pink Passion Classic, Lovely Lilac Classic, Baja Breeze Classic, Going Gray Marker

Paper: Bashful Blue CS, Baja Breeze CS, Lovely Lilac CS, Basic Black CS, Whisper White, CS, Pink Passion Textured CS, Bashful Blue Designer Paper

Accessories: Crystal Effects, Brads, Build-A-Brad

Be sure to check out Dannie's Blog at http://danniesdesigns.typepad.com/. She is very creative and I'm sure she will continue to serve as a source of inspiration.

MojoMonday Challenge #71

Well I'm finally back on firm, un snow covered ground....Thank Goodness. I was visiting my parents this past week in New York and OMG was it COLD....I hadn't realized just how much my blood has thinned in 6 years living in Florida. I don't know if I can ever stand the cold again..BRRRR!!!


While I was at my parent's house along came Julee's weekly MojoMonday sketch challenge. One of my New Year's resolutions was to participate in more online challenges. I really like Julee's sketches. Here is the sketch for this week:



And here is my creation:


I was at my parent's house and wasn't privy to all of the current SU supplies that I have at my fingertips at my house. So I have to admit that some of my items are either not SU products or are not current SU items - Oh I know, GASP !!!


Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Love You Much
Paper: Basic Black CS, So Saffron CS, Whisper White CS, Parisian Summer DP (Retired), Holiday Treasures DP (Retired).
Ink: Black Stazon, So Saffron marker
Accessories: Non-SU ribbon, Three Heart punch

Please feel free to play along too...I'd love to see what you have created too !!!! Keep your eyes out for next weeks MojoMonday sketch.

Facelift...

Rubber Stamp Tramp has gotten a little facelift.....What do you think? Please let me a comment and let me know if you like my new look for Rubber Stamp Tramp....Is there anything you would like to see that I don't have posted....Leave me a comment with what types of items you are looking for in a blog.....

Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated...

Thanks
Natalie

Love you Much

I really like the Love You Much set...So far for me it seems to have such versatility....I was searching on Splitcoaststampers and came across this layout by Dannie Graves, I believe....Just a bit of tweaking, color changing, and VOILA....

The large heart is embossed with white embossing powder and cut out....The small heart on the 'Love' piece was punched out with the three hearts punch.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Love you Much
Ink: Versamark, Black Stazon, Kiwi Kiss Classic, Old Olive Marker
Paper: Riding Hood Red Cs, Whisper White, CS, Kiwi Kiss, CS, Real Red CS, Bella Rose DP, Washington Apple DP
Accessories: Brads, heat gun, Blender pens

Enjoy !!

Birds of a Feather

Today's project uses the Valentine's Day bundle...So far this is one of my favorite Valentine's projects. It is a case from someone I saw on the SU demo site, but I can't find where I wrote the name down. So, if you know who it was please let me know so I can give them the appropriate credit. I don't know what it is about the card, but i just love it...I'm actually thinking of sending it to my friend in New York instead of putting it away in the samples box.

It is difficult to see in the picture, but I did some little embellishments on the punched hearts on the bottom.

I love the color combination it makes me feel very warm and cuddly.

Supplies:
Stamps: Love you Much
Paper: Close to Cocoa CS, Pirouette Pink CS, Riding Hood Red CS, Whisper White CS
Ink: Close to Cocoa classic, Basic Black Marker, Riding Hood Red classic, Close to Cocoa marker
Accessories: Triple Heart punch, Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain ribbon, blender pens

Splitcoast Sketch Challenge with Garden Whimsey

I love sketch challenges....Sometimes I find that I just run out of card ideas or I'll hit a creative block and sketch challenges are a great way for me to break out the mold and out of the "same old, same old".

Here is my card for a recent sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers. Unfortunatley, I do not remember the challenge number for this sketch. It is not the mose current one, because I'm usually behind a few weeks.

This set is one of my favorites, BUT I do find that I tend to get stuck in using the same layout so I was happy to use this set with the sketch and found that it worked....I also have to say that I really like this color combination.....The combo of Riding Rood Red and Apricot Appeal is just a very "happy feeling" combination for me.

Enjoy the challenge with me....

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Garden Whimsey
Ink: Apricot Appeal Classic, Kiwi Kiss Classic, Riding Hood Red Classic
Paper: Apricot Appeal CS, Kiwi Kiss CS, Riding Hood Red CS, Kiwi Kiss Designer Paper
Accessories: Stampin Sponges, Brads, Paper Piercer

Holiday Thank You Notes

It is now the middle of January and I'm only now getting around to writing my Thank you notes from Christmas. Thank you notes are a REALLY big thing in my family. Handwritten Thank You notes is an art that is quickly dying. Thank Goodness I'm in the card business so I can try to keep it going....

This year I was trying to find a layout that was simple and would use up some of my scraps. So I thought about doing a monochromatic theme...Turned out it wasn't that simple. I wound up having to go with a duochromatic theme...Is that even a word - duochromatic? Anywho, This is the layout I finally came up with. I have to admit that in RL it is much nicer. The dimensions of the card are much easier to see...I guess you can see why I'm not a photographer. :)

I hope you enjoy the card....

Supplies:

Stamps: Lovely Labels

Paper: Kiwi Kiss CS, Very Vanilla CS, Kiwi Kiss DP

Ink: Kiwi Kiss Classic

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Map pack, Paper piercer.

Valentine's Bouquet

Valentine's Day is fast approaching....And I wanted to start my Valentine's day projects thinking outside of the box. There are only so many Heart layout one person can create. So I came up with this little Valentine's Bouquet. This project was SUPER EASY and QUICK....A great project for a co-worker or for your child's teacher. The picture can be a bit deceiving, but the bouquet only stands about 8" tall.

Supplies Used in this project:

Stamp Sets: Happy Heart Day, Loads of Love

Paper: Garden Green CS, Pirouette Pink CS,Regal Rose CS, Rose Red CS, Whisper White Cardstock.

Ink: Black Stazon, Black Stampin Write marker, Regal Rose marker, Rose Red marker, Pretty in Pink marker

Accessories: Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzing Diamonds, Scallop Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Pop-up Glue Dots, sticky strip, dimensionals.

Non-SU Accessories: Small Terra Cotta pot, wooden skewers, florists foam

It can be difficult to see in the picture - but in RL there is dazzling diamonds on each of the circles...The grass was created by trimming very narrow strips of Garden Green CS with the paper trimmer and then I just crumpled them in my hand....This was in lieu of using my Paper crimper since I couldn't find it....

Keep your eyes out for more Valentine's projects coming soon.....I received my Valentine's bundle in the mail yesterday so I'm looking forward to creating some great cards with it...

Can you belive it - I'm thinking about Christmas Cards Already !!

Yes, Yes it's true. I'm beginning to strategize how to meet the 2009 Christmas Card demand already...I was talking with my friend Gina tonight and we were sort of strategizing together. In talking with her I realized that I never posted the two designs that I sent out this year, so per her request I am posting the christmas cards that I send this past year.



For 2009 I'm thinking of putting together a Christmas challenge....The idea will be to do 5 Christmas cards per month and by the time Christmas comes I'll have more than 50 cards....

Anyone want to take the challenge with me???

Lookie, Lookie What came in the mail today...

IT'S HERE....IT'S HERE

So.....I'm out of the house most of the day today....I was at the Library studying for my certification exam, had to go into Inverness to pick up my son from Daycare, Went to Coldwell banker to pick up the contract for the house we are buying, Went to the Publix to get some groceries and ran a couple more errands.......I get home about 5:30 and look what was waiting for me:

What a wonderful end to my day!!!....The funniest part of this is that while I was at the Library I spent most of my allocated computer time, not studying (like I should have been) but trying to find out when my cattys were going to be delivered and of course got nowhere....Now, if you are an SU demo or have SU knowledge you this is not an easy feat since SU NEVER gives you tracking numbers for your catalogs. You just have to sit and wait....PURE TORTURE.

So you realize that before I have even unpacked my groceries I ripped open the box and have already started my wish list...boy is it long....The new catty is full of some great new sets/accessories and, of course, some fabulous returning ones. Lots of new Sizzix accessories, including texture plates, embosslit folders - just to name a few.....Now because of the new rules I can't show you and pictures of what is inside until the official debut on January 19th but believe me you won't be disappointed.

Want to get this catty FREE - Schedule a workshop and it's yours.....

Calling All Stampers.....

Dear Friends...

I know this post is long, but please read....

Today I write to you to ask your help....I'm trying to gather a collection of Get Well, Thinking of You, Happy Day cards for my husband's young cousin. My husband's young cousin, Carli Slack, is 16 yrs old and has been in St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa since July 2008. Carli is a very sick young girl...Carli was originally diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. During the long course of chemo treatments, surgeries, and pain numbing medication Carli has also endured something called Fungus Mucor....For those of you who know what Fungus Mucor is, please go ahead and catch your breath - For those of you who don't, Fungus Mucor is, basically, an everyday household fungus - just like the stuff that grows on your walls. However in very immnosuppressed individuals people can develop fungus mucor on their organs and the fungus basically just eats away at the healthy tissue until the organ is completely overrun by the fungus. Until now, Fungus Mucor has been 100% fatal. Carli has been a miracle in that sense...She has been able to withstand the Fungus, but has developed lots of other issues due to the damage it has done...The doctor's aren't even 100% sure the fungus has completely gone...

My Mother-In-Law (and Carli's Aunt), who is a survivor of breast cancer, TWICE, knows just how it feels to be so sick and so close to death. She has taken it as her mission to send Carli a card just about every day. Well, Benna has found out that Hallmark, American Greetings, etc only has so many cards and is starting to have to send duplicates. I'm sending out a call to all of my stamping friends to donate cards to Carli's cause....One card or ten cards...whatever you can donate. Please check out Carli's website at www.carlislack.page.tl. Once on the home page, click on the link, on the left, called Carli's weekly updates...The updates are no longer weekly, but sometimes daily...because at this point every day is a blessing...Scroll down to the post on 11/10/08 to see all the cards sent by my Mother-In-Law....

Please help me add a little more sunshine into this beautiful girl's young life - We don't know how much longer she will be able to stay with us on earth...Every day I check her website with baited breath praying for good news...

If you are interested in helping, please comment on this post...

Thanks Everyone

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone !!!

Unfortunatley, I had to take a bit of a bloggin' break at the end of last year. My personal life kind of went into a tail spin and I had to refocus my priorities there....But no worries - things are begining to smooth back out and now I'm back...

I hope 2009 will bring lots of prosperity to everyone. I plan of making the best of 2009. I hope to offer lots of classes, workshops, and if anyone is intersted a craft group. So keep your eyes posted. Stamping up has lots of great new things to offer in 2009....Lots of new exclusive Sizzix products to use with your Big Shot - What you don't have one yet - Call me!! I love mine....I created this SUPER CUTE birthday card for my Sister-In-Law with mine.



Supplies Used:
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (item # 111618 - $23.95)
Paper: Tangerine Tango cs, Regal Rose cs, Chocolate Chip cs, Whisper White cs, Sweet Always Designer Paper
Ink: Close to Cocoa Classic, Pumpkin Pie marker, Regal Rose marker, Close to Cocoa marker, Chocolate Chip marker, Ruby Red marker, Creamy Caramel marker
Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die, paper trimmer, dimensionals, slot punch, popdots.

To create the pocket on the inside of the card - run your Top Note die through the Big Shot and decorate as desired - Cut in half and adhere to the inside of the card using adhesive on the edges only....Be sure not to adhere the top edge - otherwise you can't slip in the card.

I hope you enjoyed this project - I have to say that this card has given me a little bit of inspiration and I'm really looking forward to using this set more in the next few day. Keep an eye out for more projects.