Toot toot!

I hate to toot my own horn, but seriously, toot!!!  I can't believe I've accomplished so much in my little vacation. I just finished 35 cards for the ATC swap and I'm beyond excited to mail them out. I know I just shared one but I really want to share all of them :) I did the last 12 differently (I used off white cardstock) and I am in love with the colors! Same products used as the first cards, except the cardstock color. I wish I would have made them all on the white. But then again, this was all a learning process that I'm really glad I finally got under my belt. I can't wait to complete my next mini now that I understand the embossing process. I'm so giddy!!

Want in on a secret???

Shh, don't tell, but I'm reallllllllly green when it comes to the inking/stamping world. I embossed my first image tonight for an artist trading card swap I'm participating in. I finally finished my first card. I really like how it turned out. I wish I wouldn't have gone so happy with all the glimmer, but I'm pleased still being my first time and all.

I used a cardstock with a similar color to kraft paper, but not kraft paper. I inked it with Distress Ink in Barn Door and Wild Honey. I then filled a Ranger Mini Mister with a tiny bit of gold Perfect Pearls and water and misted it.  I then stamped a little "water mark" bird (sorry I can't remember the stamp) with Distress in Tea Dye. Then I embossed the bird cage (MME Mabel & Grace, given to me by the awesome Kristy Lee) with some gold embossing powder(Hampton Arts,  I think). Almost done,  I stamped the "create" from the same stamp set as the little birdie in Distress Vintage Photo. After punching out the tiny Martha butterflies I inked them with Distress Concord Grape (I believe that's the color) and I swished on some Perfect Pearls in Pewter. Oh, and I went around the edges again with the Grape Distress for a little extra something. Tada! 

Happy Mail; Topaz #1 (Yes, I'm moving BACKWARDS)

Today I was really frustrated. I don't know what everyone's skill level is out there in blogger world, but mine is so so. I had a layout that just wasn't going the way I envisioned in my simple little head. Thanks to Un-Do (THAT STUFF IS FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC) I was able to salvage what I could without doing any further damage. Then, right as I was about to throw in the towel I received a sweet gift from Kristy Lee, Scrapbook Steals Mojo-er herself. I commented about how I would so love to have the stamps from the MME Stella & Rose Mable line. She sent them my way! How amazingly thoughtful of her. I actually teared up when I opened it. I've never had anyone think of me like that before! So anyway, I finished my LO and that was that!

How awesomely amazing are these stamps? Really. Just look at them. I can't wait to use them for the upcoming Artist Trading Card Swap (ATC swap) I'm participating in. 

This LO is what it is. I'm not thrilled about it. I'm just happy it's done. For those of you who understand my frustration at times, look into Un-Do if you don't already own it. It removes ANY adhesive without screwing up your good paper. It got off my ATG adhesive. Yeah, it's that good. 

Most Favoritest Page. Ever.

I have to stop doing these 1 am postings... Anyway, I just completed a layout I am extremely happy with. This is the first time in a long time, if not ever, that I have been more than just 'eh' about a page. So of course, I HAD to share it immediately. This is www.scrapbooksteals.com Mid Week Mojo, Topaz #3. This week was guest designer Kristy Mackeen, who just so happens to be in my circle of scrappy friends. Awesome job, Kristy!

I used pretty much all Sassafras in Paper Crush and some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in a few different colors. The "Pony" letters in the title are Making Memories. I made my own fan folded flower and added some miscellaneous buttons. Oh and I finally used my labeler, (is it Dynamo?) for the first time. That's it! 

Before I lay me down to sleep...

I post this LO for all to see. Seriously, I'm tired and not so good at one liners at this hour. I just HAVE to get this LO posted or I won't be able to sleep. I realize I just posted but hey, who's counting?? Plus, I have to start filling up my blog anyway, right?

For anyone who's new to my blog I am ever so thankful to the team over at www.scrapbooksteals.com for renewing my love to scrap. This is my take on Mid Week Mojo, Topaz #2

Sorry for the cruddy lighting. I should know better than to take photos at midnight. Oh well.

Drum Roll Please... Internet Debut for my very first Mini

Ok, so I'm pretty excited to finally show off my creation. I had so much fun making this mini and I'm so proud of how it turned out. Before I get ahead of myself I have to put out a little disclaimer that this was actually made back in December. Since then I know I've picked up at least a skill or two. So basically this album is pretty, ok, really, amateur. Nonetheless I still love it and plan to make so many more. 

 I upcycled a gift card holder and made a fun little hiding place for journaling and photos.

 I thought this was pretty cool. I wish I had a cool cartridge that cut things like this but I don't. So I cut this by hand and it folds out. You untie the ribbon at the top and fold it out. My only whine is that I wish I would have put more craftsmanship into it. It just looks sloppy. I was really tired and I made this whole album in two nights so I really rushed through it. I forced myself to finish instead of taking a break.

 I really like the present page. Since I was in the Christmas spirit and it is a Christmas mini after all I made a page that opens up just like a wrapped gift would. This gave me so much space for photos and journaling.

I don't know why, but I really just love the back. It's a personal note to my DD, Annistyn. It's pretty corny, I know. But I am pretty corny myself so it fits. 


So that's it. My big debut. I can't wait to show myself up and really bust out what I'm capable of. I think I haven't done any minis since this because I know that if I start I may never have time for 12x12s! But more minis are in my future and I promise it won't take me 9+ months to post :)