Sylvia's Stamping Corner

GOODBYE AUGUST! HELLO SEPTEMBER....

Today was the last day of August. I must say it has been the hottest August I have had in a long time. I recently finished up a second month in Round Rock, Texas. Some of the biggest moments were Bugsy in a tree! (If you missed those photo's go back and look for them), my family Saturday visit, two nights of rain, and I finally got off the keep to myself thing, ventured out and hosted three beginning watercolor classes using pencils, this past week.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were filled with laughter and fun! For those 11 who joined me, Thank You. I had so much fun, too. My fartherest guests came from Temple-Belton area. I also had a reply from Carrolton saying she would get her group together for a later date. You know it is always hard to start over, which is what I am doing here. My house will take forever to finish, but fun is fun. Teaching what I know is fun! The card I am posting tonight is one I made last week. I used watercolor pencils for this card. Due to the size of the stamp, it was too intricate to teach. It did make a good sample. Don't you just love roosters?

Sunday, I went with Amy to Salado, to do my own thing with a group she gets together with. These women do everything from metal work to glass beads and marbles. I had fun, but I am afraid it made Monday a work day instead of a play day. I also sat out with the cats this morning and I think I sunburned my eyes, as they have been blurry and filmed over all day, making focusing difficult. TOMORROW!!!!!

Tonight actually, I will start on designs for ne Etsy cards and tags. My shop looks sooooo... bad! Then it is on to other cards for World Card Day which is the first week of October, I think. Yes, I will be hosting here for the first time, but my third year to participate. For those of you asking about the cats, they want to be out all the time, Daisy is still the best, and Tigger and Fluffy have been the worst this week! And Bugsy is still just Bugsy. I keep forgetting to take my camera out when I go, Bugsy won a stare-down contest with the German Sheppard at the back fence the other morning. Bugsy never faltered and the dog finally moved first in retreat! SOME FIERCE CAT! Final note, Be sure and go to the ColorThrowdown Blog tomorrow to see who will be guest designer for September! and the challenge colors on Wednesday.

COLORTHROWDOWN CHALLENGE #57

It has been a very busy week for me as I have three watercolor classes to teach, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I have been preparing for the classes and cleaning up at the same time. I am excited to finally being able to see the floor and surfaces of my stamping room. I am also excited to be teaching my first classes in my new house. So tonight, when I went in to make my card I kept stopping to pick up and it got later and later. I did get the card done, but the picture does not do it justice and for that I apologize.

 August has flown by. Just three weeks ago, I posted my first card as Guest designer for August. Tonight, I am posting my last card as a guest designer. Cathy Indelicato has picked these colors for this week,  Bashful Blue, Positively Pink, and Certainly Celery. I used Stampin'Up! supplies which included. The More The Merrier, Hostess set. These soft spring colors lend themselves to many different ideas, but I settled on this card because I waited so long to start my card. Please go by the COLOR THROWDOWN BLOG and enter your creation. Enter early and have a chance to be picked as Guest Designer. My Creative Classroom is the sponsor this week with a giveaway. Visit the challenge blog and look at all the beautiful cards.  The cards just get better and better. Check out all the design team members. They work very hard to make your challenges a success. Special thanks also goes to Tammy Hershberger, who posts the challenges and cards each week. Hope you have enjoyed my cards as well.

Design team members: Cathy Indelicato, Barbara Anders, Danielle Kennedy, LeAnne Pugliese, Tammy Hershberger, and Broni Holcombe. Be sure and check out their blogs. Thanks again ladies.     

BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTO MAT CARDS USING TOP NOTE DIE

Happy first day of school, Colin. This is the first of many more fun days to come. I remember each of my four children's happy faces as they got on the school bus that first day. Andrew, my youngest was the only child to go to pre-school and Stephen went his first day of school in Jakarta Indonesia. It all seems like a lifetime ago. Now Stephen's eldest child is going to Pre-K.

School day projects have always had top priority with me. I always decorated and always made things for school. Today, I made two photo mat cards to go with my teacher garland for sale at  Sylviascorner on Etsy. I need to fill my shop and what better way to start than with Back to School. Both cards are similar to the scrap book mats I posted a few posts ago. These are cards as well as photo holders. Each card I make will be different. My goal is to have one for many different occasions. Check out the button die flowers. Aren't they just too cute?

Amy came by after work and helped me or rather she did most of the putting together of another work area. Now I can go load the cubes with card stock and my dies for my Big Shot. I have been tripping over stuff all week, now a little more can be picked up off the floor. I also got a few more boxes unpacked and put away. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. Don't forget to go to the COLOR THROWDOWN BLOG, check out the colors, cards, and make a card and enter as well. Rubbernecker is giving away a prize as well as discounts!  

COLOR THROWDOWN CHALLENGE #56

This weeks challenge is sponsored by Rubbernecker Stamp Company .This weeks color were chosen by Broni Holcombe. The colors are Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango, and Soft Suede. These colors are half of our new Stampin'Up! in colors. I have really enjoyed the new colors, although this is the first opportunity I have had to use this Dusty Durango. Originally tonight I was using Razzleberry instead of Dusty Durango. The colors were changed, but I did not know. So I have two cards, which I believe are different in personality, but equally as good.

   When I first was contacted about being the guest designer for August, I was given the choice of stamps at Rubbernecker and I chose this rooster and a chicken wire fence background stamp. I did not know what colors we were using at that time. I got lucky, as these colors really went well with the rooster. I did not use the background stamp, as it would have been harder to incorporate into the card with these three colors. 

My card base is Bermuda Bay, with a Dusty Durango designer paper matted o Dusty Durango card stock. I added Soft Suede DSP and card stock, as well as three flowers punched from Bermuda Bay CS with Vintage brad centers. My rooster was stamped then water colored using the blender pen and inks. I used Pumpkin Pie for the feet and beak and Ruby Red for his comb and waddle. I think him a very stylish rooster. I used a sentiment stamp from our sponsor last week, Simon Says.

Check out Color Throwdown Blog, and enter this weeks challenge. It is an honor to picked as winner of the week and even nicer to be chosen as guest designer. If you enter, your card has a chance of being picked, if not it is so much fun to play along!  Also, please check out the Design team members blogs. They work very hard for the Challenges each week. Visit  Broni Holcombe, Cathy Indelicato , Barbara Anders, Danielle Kennedy, LeAnne Pugliese, and Tammy Hersberger . Thanks ladies! 

   

BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTO FRAMES FOR YOUR SCRAP BOOK PAGES

I recently made a special order back to school garland for a customer who was wanting to decorate for her school children. I had some problems with payment from Etsy to Paypal because of an e-mail address that did not get changed. The customer was so cool and let me know that it was no problem even though she had to reverse her payment and put it in again. I told her I would send her something for the trouble. Even though she said don't worry, and it has been awhile, she will get this surprise in the mail this week.

I have been trying to get these done, but with everything going on I have not had a chance. I had company over the weekend starting Thursday night. We had such great fun! It was my son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. My other son and wife came on Saturday and of course Amy was around on the weekend as well. It was wonderful having them here.  My Colin is starting pre-K on Thursday. His mom is like I was happy, still it is traumatic. Happy go lucky Colin is excited. I will have more about that on Thursday.  I have not gotten much done since last week. I am still unpacking boxes and arranging the Stamp room. I have not even started on the craft room. My crafts are still in boxes everywhere!!!!

Today, I sat down and finished up two picture frames which can either be used on pages of a scrap book or as picture frames. This one is to match the garland I did. I used the top note die from Sizzix. I printed on paper a picture of my Colin in the alligator swimming pool. I needed to show that it will indeed hold a picture which is easily pulled and exchanged for another favorite photo. Add a piece to the back and it will stand. I like multi-purpose items. I will have these for sale on Sylvia's Corner  over on Etsy. I will have themed mat frames as well as special orders. In the meantime, enjoy this one!

NEW TAKE ON COLOR THROWDOWN #55 AND....... CAT ANTICS!

Do you ever get something in your mind and you just can not get rid of it? Well this challenge card was one of those things. I started out yesterday wanting to do one thing, instead ended up with another, so today I made another card using the Color Throwdown colors. Have you played along yet? If not please go to the COLOR THROWDOWN BLOG, check out the colors and submit your card! Tammy, I think I am addicted to these colors this week.

The card I made today uses only one sentiment, therfore is really totally different than yesterdays card. I like both equally, but like the symmetry of this one better. I will eventually figure it out! I had fun making this card as well. I spent most of my day picking up, unpacking boxes, and putting things away. I also put together two more cubes for my stamp stuff. My grandchildren are coming tomorrow, so I have a lot of cleaning up to do! I will take time out to make another card anyway!

We had a better weather day. It was not so hot. When I took the cats out, we stayed for awhile before they got so restless that I had to bring them in. Bugsy kept the other three captivated with his antics in the tree. I took pictures and am posting a few of him trying to turn around in the tree. Believe it or not, he thinks all paws have to be safely grounded before he moves. I think this turning operation took almost 15 minutes. I took pictures inbetween of the other cats watching this acrobatic feat! Hope you enjoy them as I did. Natalie, I took these thinking of Trinidad! 

 Aren't cats the funniest animals to watch?

COLOR THROWDOWN CHALLENGE #55

It's time for another COLOR THROWDOWN CHALLENGE . This weeks sponsor is Simon Says Stamp . This weeks colors were chosen by Tammy Hershberger. They are our new Melon Mambo, Kraft, the new Crushed Curry, Black, and White. I am enjoying the new colors from our new Fall Stampin'Up! Catalog. New colors are always so much fun.

I received a set of wonderful word stamps, Simon Says, from Cathy Indelicato, to use for this challenge. I decided to use them in a grouping rather than just one. I chose anything that had to do with a birthday and put them together on my acrylic block. That is one nice thing about the clear stamps, you can arrange them to make a background. Words, phrases,even letters are very popular as backgrounds now. I actually changed the card and did not use the words for a complete background. I will try that again at a future date. Iused Kraft card stock as my base card, and all the other colors in card stock. I used Basic Black and Melon Mambo ink, designer paper in Crushed Curry, Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo ribbon and natural twine, all Stampin'Up! My pearls were Basics by Kaisercraft and my lacey punch was Martha Stewart. I am always needing a birthday card, so that is what I made. Check out all the Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks, to the design team members. Be sure and check out their blogs, they do such a great job hosting this challenge each week. Have a great week!

Tammy Hershberger- Stamp Happy, Broni Holcombe- Splashes of Watercolor, Cathy Indelicato- Crafty Thoughts,  Barbara Anders- Paper Pursuits,  Danielle Kennedy- Wild Dragonfly ,  LeAnne Pugliese- Wee Inklings .   

THINGS THAT I LOVE........ CIRCLE OF FRIENDSHIP AWARD

There would be a long list of things I love! People and cats will always be first, but the number one thing on my list of most important trivial things would be chocolate! Shoes, purses, clothing, along with shopping are not a priority anymore. I still like jewelry, but do not shop for it due to the finances. For all you stampers, card makers, scrapbookers, and crafters out there, the tools of the trade I am sure are the number one thing you think about. Stampin'Up! has just put out the yearly catalog and the new Mini will be available soon to customers. I chose for my card  Stampin'Up! set that just came out and I have had for a month and not used yet. Today, I pulled out card stock, then paper, then ribbons I wanted to use and thought, now what stamp set would do well with what I have chosen? This was the set I used!

Do not ask me how my brain switches from flowers to trees and owls, to this card? I really do not know. I used to spend a lot of time outdoors with my flowers and cats. I even talked to the hummingbirds that came to visit. Since moving to Texas, I do not do any of those things, so my inspiration is coming from ? who knows where. I used Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambo card stock, and Soft Suede designer paper. I think we should un-retire Kiwi Kiss, it goes so well with the new colors.

I made this card for the announcement of the five blogger friends I chose to receive the Circle of Friendship award. Leonie, I am changing the rules. I will only announce one friend tonight. Besides you, Donna is always there. Donna of Butternut Sage designs, is a frequent visitor and commenter on my blog. When I was moving and not posting, she posted comment to find out if I was OK. Like you, Leonie she is a good blog friend.  My blog friends are among the best! Visit Donna's blog listed in Sylvia's Favorites. Don't forget the Color Throwdown Challenge for this week.

FRIENDS, WE TRULY ARE A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS!

Yesterday, Leonie posted to my blog that she had something for me on her blog. When I went to her blog, she had done it again, given me the lift I needed for the day! She is truly a wonderful blog friend. Well I have taken the award, The Circle Of Friendship Award.

Here are the rules if you choose to accept:

To pick up the Circle of Friends Blog Award cut and paste the award onto your own blog.
Nominate 5 other bloggers.
Link to your nominees within your blog post.
Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.
Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation. Comment on their blogs to let them know they’ve received the award.

I will be posting my five blog friends tomorrow as it is already very late. I made a special card in honor of this occasion. I have been wanting to use my wood texture plate to make a tree. So that is what I did with this card. I made a tree pattern then cut it out of a piece of Whisper White card stock that I ran through my Big shot, and brayered with two brown inks and daubered with Crushed Curry. I think it is an awesome tree for my first. I have stamped and created this owl before and love his looks. Anyway we should all celebrate the friendships we make with our stamping, crafting, and card making! Be back tomorrow for my list of 5 blogger friends so we can keep the circle moving! Also, be sure and go to the Color Throwdown Challenge blog and make a card to enter. Enter by Tuesday evening in order to have a chance to win those great stamps given by the sponsor, Whimsy stamps!

HELLO TO ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS!

Since moving, I am having a hard time managing a schedule. I never went anywhere, but now I am constantly having to go someplace. Today I went to meet my husband at the office where he turns in paper work. He is working this weekend and since his driver's license finally got here, he needed it. I drove 145 miles as of yesterday. That included the trip today and a trip out to the same office to pick up his check yesterday. I do not think I drove 145 miles in a month in Colorado. I also have the cats to take out twice a day. I took some really cute pictures of Daisy the other day. I have been filling up the bird feeder every morning so the cats can watch the birds. When I take them out, they check out every place the birds have been. Daisy has traded the Pines of Trinidad for the Oaks in Texas. Tigger nearly made it to the roof the same morning from a different tree. It is still so hot, that the cats are still manageable. Don't know what I am going to do when it gets cooler!

With all this, trying to unpack, paint, do ebay, stamping does not get the priority I want it to get. I made a quick card tonight(quick for me). I used some red designer paper and kept the card pretty much a tone on tone card. I really enjoy using the silk flowers as well. Sp hello to everyone out there. I did not hear from Brenda at convention. She is either really busy or she left my phone number and e-mail address at home. Hello to everyone leaving convention and traveling home tomorrow. Hope you all had a great time. Lisa, I will see you on Friday! One last quick thing, Please be sure and go to the Color Throwdown Challenge blog this week. The colors are great fall colors. Make a card and enter it to win the cute set of Whimsy stamps. Also check out the Design teams blogs. There are some really great cards this week. Leave the girls a message, they really work hard to make things nice for all of us.