Poppy Paperie

Sharpen Your Saw

Yesterday I took the advice of Stephen R Covey and took care of my much neglected studio.

I am really lucky that we bought this quirky old house...the add on room is in a strange place...you have to go through the master bedroom to get to it! Now... that isn't a place you want your kids sleeping...KWIM? *Wink* So, it became "the office". over time Chris' office slowing evolved into what I now loosely call my studio. (I wont show it all because its a bit hodge podge and still in need of help) It's a rather nice room with raised ceilings, skylights, bay windows... very nice place to work. the desk is a tall Ikea drafting desk that I keep flat. Having severe neck issues, I have learned that standing while I work can be more comfortable... so I am rarely sitting. I have a tall stool to sit if I do want, but most often Ella can be found in it doing puzzles or coloring next to me.(if I have room at the desk... it's usually a disaster) I try to keep things that I use most often at eye level... and at a comfortable reach. you will see my punches front and center, they live in this really cool unit I picked up at costco... the little drawers used to house my A Muse sentiments and have now become the home for my smallest punches... works great too! I have many of my tools in my little bag. On days that I don't feel well or need to be in another part of the house... I pick it up and move to the other room with what ever I am doing. My white bookshelf housed my Most used stamps, ribbon and alterable items. I keep loose ribbon in floss tread containers, either rolled on a floss card or loosely rolled and just placed in the segments. single stamps are kept in snapware... I used to have ZERO space on my shelf, but now have room and some empty snapware to fill.  Autumn Leaves clear stamps live in a shoebox at the top of my shelf and Hampton/limited edition clear stamps live in CD cases (thanks Amy) in the striped box on the shelf. you may notice that SU bg stamps take up the top...I rarely use them... but LOVE them so I still keep them close. my SU stamps all have their own shelf on an opposite wall, next to my other supply items such as paper and SU ink. OK.. back to the program... We R paper fills the entire and three drawer cubical underneath the desk and the plastic drawers are home to all the We R Chipboard products. (ribbon lives on the shelf )

Now... I know its not a stylish studio...{thats why you ain't seeing the rest! LOL} but being the frugal gal that I am, I am much More into efficiency and functionality. I admittedly drool over those really pretty spaces... but I just cant justify the cost at this time....especially since It's just for me.

So... this is where hang out. tomorrow It will look as if the mouse king's army invaded it and a huge battle ensued. {sorry, too much Barbie and the nutcracker) I will be lucky to have a 4x4 inch space to work in.... but thats how I work and I know I am on a roll if I look up and magically a mess has appeared.

Ok... off to make Halloween treats for the girls... pumpkin something ... for sure! Have a happy Halloween!

Ode to Lana

When I first joined SCS I was blessed to become friends with some of the most incredible ladies in the world. These Ladies inspire and put their hearts on the line for each other. Lana Lepinski is one of these great ladies. I remember thinking to myself that one day I hoped I could stamp HALF as good as she did. she has an uncanny ability with color and pattern paper. She taught me that it was possible to use "cute" images without creating Cutesy.

Here's to you Lana... Love you!

I used A Muse images and Clearsnap ink...nothing like a little DTP to add depth to a project! Lana does a ton of fun cards using Inky Antics images and this one would work well in lieu of the reindeer. I also think This Cat's Pajama's Christmas image would work well in this tag trio.

sweet little birds

I thought this images was adorable when I first saw it... but waited to request very many Belle Geste images from Hampton Art until now. These are some of the first to arrive... I am waiting for the new catalog images! {insert huge, joyous anticipation here} I really hope she has some additional imaes.... they are just too sweet!

I used Stampin' Up! Markers to fill in the color...the actual colors they carry are perfect for so many different paper lines out there. We R Memory Keepers newest Homemade line is used as the frame while stickles stardust glitter {my fav} adorns the chair. A touch of sponging adds some additional depth. I almost always sponge on a card. I rarely pounce, rather I ink up the sponge slightly and swipe from the edge coming in. If I can achieve a similar look with DTP I will.... I keep my cats eyes Chestnut Roan Chalk ink really dry so I can do this. My favorite ink to use for sponging black as well and for focal images, is Ancient page Coal dye ink... Love that stuff!

Fun visit to the Local Stamp store!

I actually got out of the house today and took Ella to the public Library, afterward I decided to stop by Stampadoodle... this great stamp store here in Bellingham. {I rarely get out to any craft store anymore... so this is cool for me} Ella was super hyper though so I didn't have a chance to really look but a few really cool things popped out at me. I have been checking out The Cat's Pajama's Rubber stamps this last week... I must say,I'm totally in love with their images... and in a store setting, they really POP out. Very nice. I also spied some new punches... sheesh... I am a tad addicted to punches it was hard not to buy them all...{Ella literally had me running though} I need to go back and savor the store a bit and support the local economy! ;) If you are ever up in Bellingham you need to check out their store... wall to wall rubbah!

The other fun thing was spying some cards that I had created while I was on the A Muse Design Team. all four of these were on display.

Even though I don't design for them anymore, it was neat to see how something I created fulfilled it's purpose and help in marketing their cute images. it's a nice sense of accomplishment!

Lady Liberty

It was a great day today! It's so great to feel better...and get something done! thanks for all the well wishes! {{{Hugs}}}

Here is a card I created using Hampton Art Stamps and We R Memory Keepers Papers...I chose the blue paper because of a resemblance to a sky with fireworks. I heat set Dark Brown fluid chalk ink before watercoloring it in. LOVE that ink! if you want to get a tight trim, try squishy scissors by Marvy Uchida...they rock!

So... I made some firm plans with Marvy Uchida to demonstrate at their booth in January at CHA in Anaheim CA. If you will be attending, please come by and say Hi and make one of my projects. I will be getting their new products next week so that I can figure out what to do..I need 3 different projects for the three different days.  I am really intreagued by the new puffy velvet pens...they look like they could do some cool fill-in effects with stamping!

Its going to be nearly cruel being so close to disneyland... and working... LOL! I might have to go over one of the nights. I am hoping to get together with several of you SoCal gals. Hopefully something will work out! ;)

Friends 4Ever

Here is a little floaty collage I did using Hampton Art Stamps. I really like their variety of images and cant wait what they come up with next! I should be getting a little box in Nov with some new release images...I have been asked to do some work for their catalog. Very fun and fulfilling!

All the papers, chipboard and ribbon and snaps are by WeR. Fluid Chalk ink by Clearsnap. Love them both!

Off to work I go .... I am getting better way faster now with antibiotics... I guess I have Bronchitic and a monster sinus infection...but now that I am on the mend... {Yipee}..I have to get some serious work done!...and have some fun too! Got to get those Halloween Decorations up!

Hannah's Party

We had fun with Hannah's party... here is quick photo quad of the party.

She really had fun...they did sticker Tattoo's, made stamped magnetic cork boards, ate cake, ripped open presents, Played Skits in a Bag and giggled till they dropped.

{shameless mommy moment warning} My Girls just keep getting so pretty...it's a wonderful yet scary thing.

BTW.... thanks for all the complements on my doodle card. A few asked if I was going to create stamps with them... Well...I don't have anything in the works to date for a stamp line...and I don't have a magic pen. if by some miracle I find a magic pen and We R wants to use my images, that would be cool! {they haven't done stamps} Honestly I think my talents lay in creating with the images though, instead of creating the actual images. You never know those trends though. And trust me, if it happened... you would know...because I would burst. :)

Beware of Boredom

So, Here I am sitting on the couch all day... by order of the "MAN". (that would be my DH who loves me and wants me to get better) I get so Bored, it kills me. I have a ton of Write ups to do for accepted projects but don't work at all on sunday... so that's not an option. I start doodling...as I heard someone else say... "I have no Magic in my pen!" Well... I doodle a Christmas tree that isn't too horrible... then a background that might be decent...Sooooo I sneak into the studio and copy my doodle onto cardstock with my printer.

Here is the result of my doodled card... no stamps. I used Gamsol and Lyra color pencils to color it in. (got this idea from another Designer friend)

Like I said, not magic... but I might mass produce the tree and background image to do all my Christmas cards this year. probably in a square format. I want to doodle a different sentiment though,bigger. Watch... I will wake up in the morning and think to mysef... WHAT were you thinking? ROTFLOL! {Totally asking Santa for a magic pen this year!}

Here's a challange... Doodle a card,upload it in your gallery or bog and post a link here for us to see! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

like a little girl...

that changes her clothes every 5 minute... that's me today with my blog. LOL! I have been messing around with ordering... trying to streamline it a tad more... lost some stuff... added some back... added some new! If you got to see the mess... sorry! Hehheee... it's dangerous to have me sick and only enough energy to be on my puter. I think it's all good now.

OK....Some little tidbits that brought a smile to my face today:

• Check out the card on the front page of Hampton Art's website. {grinning}
• Click on my new Hampton Gallery to see the front  cover of their Memory Trends release supplement. {Squealling... are ya plugging your ears?} :)

So.. after a blue day yesterday...I am feeling a bit chipper. Seeing this today has been of like baking a cake... and serving it... then finding out later that the guests absolutely LOVED it. It's a nice sense of accomplishment. It's also neat to show my girls...they love seeing family photos in print!

Thanks for all the hugs and smiles yesterday and today... I really appreciate the support!

Something fun is coming soon!

So... about a YEAR ago I submitted to this book and I am so excited that it is finally coming out!

Now... are you sitting down? GO! Get yourself a chair... swallow that last sip of your beverage, no spewing on your screen... OK... ready???

I had 15 cards picked up for this book! *squeal*

I was on the phone today with the Editor (Tanya Fox)... and she was gushing about how incredible it is! {dying with anticipation!} I LOVE getting new publications... and this is a BOOK! One of my favorite things about looking though tasty morsels like this is looking at the designers names... see my neighbors are so to speak... I have been blessed to *live* in some pretty cool neighborhoods  with some incredibly talented neighbors. {I always feel like the little house and the end on the road ;) }

If you are interested in pre-ordering this book... head over to Barnes & Noble!

OK...so... I searched for something cool to share today... because it was a really hard day... I got some bad news along with being sick with the flu... I didn't want to post a "Whoa is me" post. I won't go into what has happened...but it hit me today... it's just part of life ... these down times. and I am a firm believer in Opposition in all things... SO... if there will be an opposite for today... and there will be... then buckle up baby... cause it's gonna rock! I can't wait to see what God brings my way! Ohhh... also... Excedrin Migraine medicine... bless you! <----highly recommended.

Congratulations for a sweet baby girl!

I just learned that the Main man at We R was blessed a few weeks ago with the arrival of his new baby girl! HUGE congrats to the Hillers... what a lucky girl she is! I created this card while having a movie day with Ella... stupid head cold really knocked me out.

I used the fairy tail paper and chip board tag by WRMK... along with the almighty Crop-a-dile with copper snaps. I crumbled and inked the solid side of the cardstock with gold pigment ink...as well as the side of the rest of the paper and chip board. it's hard to see... but the flowers are filled in with the Sakura Stardust clear jelly roll pen with a little dot of stardust stickels in the center. I knows it's simple... but it looks so much richer in person... the gold really adds to it and create a shabby chic look. I used a heat tool to distress the organdy ribbon... be really light with the heat tool when doing this.

Ok... not very stampy... but HEY!... this is for the head honcho of We R... I wanted his paper to stand out the most! ;)

quit growing up!

this is a phrase my children are hearing more and more in my house. It's the curse of motherhood *chuckle*. You want them to grow and learn... but don't want them to grow up. {well, I don't at least.}

Hannah turns 12 today. I told here she wasn't allowed to... but she went and did it anyway. {silly girl} 12 is a big age for us...she will leave the Primary organization at church and move to the Young Womans program. {ACK... I am getting old!} she is so cute and really loves being a kid. I hope she never looses that.

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana....love, Yo Mama!

MM Idol!

Check out this fun contest with Making memories. My friend Jennifer Pebbles is in the top 4! she has some incredible talent I tell ya! Head over there and give her a vote. here page is incredible! WHOOHOO!

more Kolette Hall stamps

Its so fun to create samples for a manufacturer. I really try hard to target their particular products when creating directly for them. In this case... stamps needed to take front stage because I was creating for a stamp company. Now... I did use We R Memory Keepers paper products and Clearsnap ink... two of my other fav companies...but you will notice that stamps are the focus on this page for sure.

You might have noticed that I have used these photo's of Pepper before, but they really lend themselves to stamping because of the naturally neutral colors. click here to see the other page I created using the same photo's... it's kinda fun to see a different perspective.

HOW FUN!

I just received my complementary copies from my Debut Issue of Paper Made Easy!

<-----See that snow globe? IT'S MINE!!! They are also using one of my cards and gift boxes for their website ad! this totally brought a smile to my face on a really hard day! Make sure to check out this issue... they really have great projects featured and you will recognize many of the designers! I have 5 projects in here... and if you are an A Muse fan then this is an issue for you. They are ALL A Muse.. even the snow globe featured on the cover!

 

TOTALLY IN LOVE!

I just about fell outta my chair.. ok... I actually did... when I saw the new line from We R Memory Keepers that was just released at Memory Trends.  I kid you not! I searched around online to find photos and  here are some. Check out the twice churned letters! and BULK RIBBON!!! OH MY GOSH!

The Team at WRMK is amazing... and they are Marketing geniuses. they packaged and named those letters to resemble ice cream containers... HOLY HUNGRY COW... I can't wait to get me some of that strawberry Chocolate Chunk! how smart is that... I mean... who doesn't love Ice Cream... and even the thought of it evokes a smile. Then Check out the new designer eyelets and snaps and Dipsticks. I had the pleasure of seeing those dipsticks when I met with the WE R team this summer in SLC. Giggle Factor in the packaging for sure...don't miss out... make sure you read the fine print. They just crack me up.

I feel so blessed to be a little part of We R Memory Keepers. I have the privilege of being on their Design Team with some of the most creative gals in the industry. I cant express enough how professional and down to earth the employees are. I love working with honest and visionary people and they are just that! The products that they carry are such high quality too. I think it's so amazing that I was led to them and as I see their new products unfold I get even more filled with excitement for my line to come out... to be even more a part of such a great company! It's taking a little longer than expected...but I know that when it finally is out, you will see why it was worth waiting for!

Beach Fun!

  My favorite thing about my cruise was that I just got up, got dressed, skipped the make-up and hit the beach. I LOVE that Chris is a outdoors man and that there is no expectations for me to look a certain way. {if you popped by my house I usually have my hair in a messy ponytail and no make up... I can honestly say I am too insecure to go shopping without it though ;) } *giggle* So nobody laugh... too hard. LOL! I snapped this pic too.. sorta cool how you can see your reflection in the lens to do this.

I uploaded a new album with some of our Caribbean cruise pic's. I hope you enjoy them. there are some foggy ones... it was so hot that when I opened the lens on my camera it would happen... It took me a little while to realize it. :)

OOOoooh BOY.... I want to go back so bad... with the girls this time!

Kolette Hall's new stamps!

• Ok... here is the scoop of the Hampton Stamps I used to create the sample for MT. They are by Kolette Hall . She does amazing design work. Hampton also does the stamps for Art Warehouse... some pretty cool images too!

What happens is that I get asked to do samples for the trade show and receive stamps. These are in clear sets and the designs are super fun for both card making as well as Scrapbooking. She is an excellent illustrator and I LOVE her writing. There are a TON of quotes in the sets... which I love. I squealed pretty loud when I spied the stamps.

I loved getting a boy set... I have all girls and a ton of need for boy stamps for school things and nephews. this will be a great set for personal use...(yeah right, like I ever have time to do that anymore!) ;)

Now... a little bit about how to design for a stamp company. First... each company is totally different. (and I try to work with companies who target different markets too) Some have set styles that they want you to create in, some just give you the stamps and pay you to provide the samples. Either way... you have to try to target meeting their needs. (for publications you try to target the editorial needs, because they want something new and fresh) What I have found in common with them is that they usually want simple. This IS the hardest thing for me to do. I tend to feel like I am sending my poor little card into the world Naked. So, I really have to walk away from a few and come back to see if it still feels that way after an hour or so. 

Simple... but not Naked tricks for...

• Sponging
• DTP
• distressing
• glitter
• ribbon tricks
• framing focal images
• Gel Pens
• Masking

More on this with the next post :)

Amazing Reflection

We were at the Hogle Zoo in SLC one summer and I spied Ella checking out the Gorilla. She just stood there and watched him... so serenely. Then I noticed here reflection in the glass. What a perfect photo of her and the feeling of the moment.

I created this for Hampton Art for Memory Trends. (using We R Memory Keepers Papers, Marvy Uchida Punches and ClearSnap ink.) I really like the sets they sent me to use. They are a little different than anything else I have used. Also... they are very easy to use for scrapbooking. They are just being released this week and I don't know exactly when and where they will be available. Keep a watch on the Hampton Art website for the specifics. OHhhh.... I Just love quote stamps!

Debbie Caramel Apples Fishing Horse Hinkes!

You're the WINNER! (Happy Dance!!!) Please email me with your snail mail so I can get this in the mail!