Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve! Whatever you do to celebrate, I wish you good cheer and safety! We're staying in because we're getting up early tomorrow morning and heading to Disneyland to start the new year off at the Happiest Place on Earth!

In the meantime, I thought I'd pop in with a card I made to warm up my mojo featuring images from the Winter Wonderland stamp set by Taylored Expressions, as well as the coordinating dies. I've also used cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon and embellies from my Taylored Expressions December Key Ingredients Kit.

If you happen to see this in time and want the December kit, HURRY!!! I believe it's only available through today! If you miss it, then you'll definitely want to sign up for a Key Ingredients subscription so you won't miss January's kit!!! I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Taylor's Key Ingredients kits are the BEST and make it so easy to create beautiful cards in no time! Everything coordinates perfectly!

Since my mojo is in serious need of reviving, I decided to start with a good sketch. The best place to find one is the Taylored Expressions Sketch Books, the links to which you can find on the Taylored Expressions Blog. I chose Sketch 82 and went to work.

I inked the edges of the patterned paper with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I stamped the greeting in Colorbox Dark Brown chalk ink, and then the snowflakes in Ocean Tides and Aqua Mist ink by Papertrey Ink. I die cut one of the medium sized snowflakes with the coordinating die and then die cut a plain large snowflake to act as a mat for the smaller snowflake.

After tying a bow with a piece of the kit ribbon, I wrapped the prongs of one of the snowflake brads from the kit around the middle of the bow and then pushed the prongs through a small hole I made in the stamped snowflake and spread the prongs flat so it sits nice and snug on top of the ribbon and the matted snowflake. I added tiny rhinestones from the kit to the centers two of the snowflakes just for good measure. 

For more ideas of ways to use your KI kit, be sure to drop by our Gallery!


On a personal note, I know I've been absent most of December... basically, since just before Thanksgiving... but all is well. It's been a time focused on family and friends and enjoying the holidays, which is what it's all about. I'll gradually get back to full swing in January.

I say "gradually," because there has been a recent family development which requires my attention. The day has finally come for our dear step-grandmother, who is 100 years and seven months old, to be moved into assisted living. Yep, she's been living on her own (with folks coming in to help) up until now. It's a step she hoped she'd never have to take...preferring (like all of us, I suppose) to pass peacefully one night in her own apartment...but the Lord has other ideas. We pray we'll find just the right place for her where she'll be comfortable and the folks will be kind to her and blessing to her, and she to them. So Paul and I will be going back and forth to Arizona over the next few weeks to help her and his mom. I expect this will cut into some of my crafting time, but family comes first!

I hope you and yours had a fabulous Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/Festive Season. And here's hoping we all  have a very Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Enabler Alert*Enabler Alert*Enabler Alert!!!

FOR A LIMITED TIME, ONE WEEK ONLY all SEASONAL Marci and Luka stamps - Christmas AND Halloween - are 20% OFF!!!

what's exactly on SALE? These Christmas/Winter Stamps:
- Winter Marci
- Santa Marci
- Ice Skating Marci
- Caroling Luka
and these Halloween Stamps:
- Witch Marci
- Pumpkin Marci
- and Pirate Luka

The sale is LIMITED to items in stock!!!! Don't miss out!!

Click HERE to go SHOPPING!!!!

*digis excluded
**sale price will be reflected in your Shopping Cart
***sale prices valid through January 6th

Also, from now until 11:30 pm PST on December 31st receive a FREE GIFT ~Darling Marci digi ~ with ANY purchase of  $50!!! 

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Enabler Alert * Enabler Alert * Enabler Alert!!!

What do you think?  CUTE, huh??!!  Darling Marci is one of the new stamps in La-La Land Craft's Valentine's Day Collection!!  Darling Marci is the first one of the sitting images in the Marci/Luka collection, and I just absolutely LOVE her! Even though this stamp is a part of Valentine's Day Collection, she most certainly can be used for ANY occasion!!  She is just SO DARLING!!!!

(Card by Irina Blount)
 
We have a SURPRISE for you today!!!!

a SPECIAL OFFER!!!


From now until 11:30 pm PST on December 31st receive a FREE GIFT ~Darling Marci digi ~ with ANY purchase of  $50 or more!!! 

You can even combine rubber stamps from our online store with digi stamps from our blog!!  As long as you spend $50 (before taxes), Darling Marci digi is yours FREE*!!!  And don't forget that SHIPPING is always FREE** on any order of over $50!!

*please include CODE - DARLING in the comments section upon check out.
**US orders only, International customers will receive a shipping discount.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas!

My card features an image and greeting from the Christmas Blessings stamp set by Taylored Expressions, paired with cardstock, patterned paper and rhinestone from the December Key Ingredients Kit.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

You Shouldn't Have...


But I'm glad you did! Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by today. I know everyone is into the busy-ness of the season, which makes your taking the time to visit that much more special. :)

Today is the day that the December Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kits ship. Hurray! Wait until you see this month's kit! It will surely knock your socks off! It's full of wonderful patterned papers from the Wintertime collection by Echo Park, plus snowflake brads, clear Tiny Twinkles, coordinating ribbon and cardstock. Yum!!!

The KI challenge this month is to make Christmas thank-you cards. What a great idea! We concentrate on getting our Christmas cards done and in the mail, but what about thank-you cards for after the holidays?

Since time is short these days, I came up with a super simple card that you can replicate in a snap.


First, you'll want to cut and assemble all the pieces. The card base is one half of a sheet of cardstock cut lengthwise to create a card that is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". The patterned papers are 2 3/4" x 4 1/4". To save paper, rather than cut a full mat to place behind the patterned paper, I cut thin strips (1/8" x 4 1/4") to adhere at the top and bottom of the patterned paper.

The berries embellishment is cut from a branch I purchased at Michael's. They are clearing out these holiday sprigs... this one cost me a dollar. Score!


Next I stamped the greeting from Hangin' Out at the North Pole directly onto the patterned paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink.


After adhering the stamped patterned paper to the card bases, I adhered the thin red strips to the tops and bottoms of each one. Here's a tip: when affixing thin strips such as these, a temporary adhesive, such as Herma's Dotto, works well because any excess will rub right off.


The last step was to add the berries. I used Mini Glue Dots, hiding them under the berries. Voila! Quick and easy, but with a lot of punch, don't you think?

Be sure to visit Taylor's blog and the rest of the KI Design Team to see what they have come up with... no doubt stunning!


Don't forget, for inspiration any time, be sure to check out the Key Ingredients Gallery!

I'll be back soon with more inspiration of my own. This kit gives me lots of great ideas!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Be Good!

Hello again! What's this, a third post for Saturday? When it rains it pours! lol

It just so happens that today starts a new sketch challenge at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge!!!

It's a simple sketch, but one that packs a lot of punch and can be interpreted many ways. Just wait until you see what the Mischief Makers and some of the WMS DT have created!

I pulled out a favorite new holiday stamp set Around Christmastime for my card. The Santa image is perfect for this sketch. I inked him up with black chalk ink and embossed with clear embossing powder before coloring the image. It was easy to cut out with a Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Circle die.

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week! There's a chance to win a stamp set and to receive a Top Mouse award!!!  We'd love to have you!

And be sure to stop by the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog to experience 12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style! This is something you won't want to miss!

Have a fabby day!!!

Note, this is indeed my third post for today. Please scroll down for my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps December Release post... along with a chance to win a prize...and my Sketch Saturday post. Thanks!

Dear Santa

Happy Saturday! Time for another fantastic sketch challenge at Sketch Saturday!!!

I pulled out this adorable image that my dear friend Rachel gave to me and colored her up to coordinate with patterned paper from the Tinsel and Twigs collection by The Girls' Paperie. I think it might be my favorite Christmas paper this year... I just love the patterns and shades of color. And, of course, how can you go wrong when you have an image as adorable as this? It's called Royal Greeting by Penny Black. Love love love!

The greeting is by SRM. I punched the holly with my Martha Stewart Crafts punch. The pearls are by Kaisercraft. I added a bit of Stampendous white Fun Flock to her santa hat, and dotted all the snowflakes with my Signo white gel pen, just to give them a tiny bit of dimension. I inked the edges of the patterned paper with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain distress ink to give them more definition.  I hope you likey!

Why not come along and play with us this week? Take a wee break from the hustle bustle of the holiday season and make a card for someone special? We'd love to have you!

Be sure to nip over to the Sketch Saturday blog to see what the rest of the design team ladies have come up with. They are sure to delight! Plus, you'll have a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to spend at Simon Says Stamp!



Note, this is my second post for today. For Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps December Release... and a chance to win... please scroll down. Thanks!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps December Release Part 2!

Hey everyone! We're back again to showcase the second of two stamps being released right now at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!!!


Today we are showcasing Valentine Oliver. He is so dapper, isn't he? And Oliver surely knows how to please a girl... roses and chocolates! Yeah baby!

I paired Valentine Oliver with patterned paper and a chipboard piece from the Circa 1934 collection by Cosmo Cricket (which I love love love!).  The sentiment is by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Be sure to visit all rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Valentine Oliver.  Sparkle is giving away a Valentine Oliver stamp to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below) then head on over to the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog and comment on the Valentine Oliver post. You have until midnight EST on Saturday Dec 11 to comment. The lucky winner will be announced the following day!
Lisa Hjulberg (that's me!)

Have a sparkling day!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps December Release!

Hey everyone! It's time once again for a new release at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!!!


Today we are showcasing Cupid Emily. Isn't she adorable? I just love her! and She's so fun and easy to color. I turned the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #95 on its side and paired Cupid Emily with patterned paper from Papertrey Ink. The large snap is by We R Memory Keepers... something I dug out of my stash from last year (or was it two?)... topped with a bow tied with pink baker's twine. The sentiment is by Waltzingmouse Stamps. Be sure to cock your head so that you won't notice that "be my" is crooked. (*grin*)

Be sure to visit all rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Cupid Emily Sparkle will be giving away a Cupid Emily to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below) then head on over to the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog and comment on the Cupid Emily post. You have until midnight EST on Friday Dec 10 to comment. The lucky winner will be announced the following day!

Lisa Hjulberg (that's me!)

We'll be back tomorrow with a peek at the second stamp being released this month. He's a cutie!

Christmas in the heart...

Hello friends! I'm popping in to share a card I made featuring my favorite Winter Marci and her sweet little dog Tuffy. Have you seen Tuffy? He's darling! And he comes as a set with different poses and phrases.
Actually, he's more like Luka's friend... you'll find him under Products:Luka in the La-La Land Crafts store... or let's say he's a friend to all!

I paired Marci and Tuffy with patterned paper from the Mitten Weather collection by Cosmo Cricket. I love this hue of green and, of course, the red. So vibrant and cheerful! The little heart pieces are from the coordinating chipboard set. The tag is by Making Memories, and the verse is perfect for this card, don't you think? It's Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. I agree!

And here's something you won't want to miss...

If you live in Southern California, here is your chance to get to meet Irina and Eric (and me Lisa)!!  Next weekend we will be in So Cal for not one, but TWO TRUNK SHOWS!!!

Come see us at Debra's Cottage in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, December 18th, 12 pm to 3 pm.  This event is hosted by the amazing Eva, aka StampinEJ!!


Then on Sunday, December 19th  we will be at Collective Journey in Redlands, CA from 1 pm to 4 pm!! (I will be there, too!)


as always, your $10 ticket entitles you to:

- an EXCLUSIVE preview of our NEWEST stamps!!
- Meet both artists (Eric Berry and Irina Blount) and have your stamps autographed!! ;-)
- Make-and-Take projects
- a Goodie Bag with a FREE stamp included!!
- Refreshments
- a chance to win a GRAND PRIZE valued $100!!

To purchase your tickets for December 18th at Debra's Cottage please call Eva at (949) 362-0697 or purchase your tickets online, HERE is the link.

To purchase your tickets for December 19th at Collective Journey please stop by the store or call them at (949) 362-0697.


I hope to see you at Collective Journey!

In the meantime, have a la la lovely day!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

On the third day of Christmas...

Hello everyone! Welcome to Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style! It's my turn to share with you some ideas for holiday crafting (and beyond)!

My project is a scrapbook page. I know most of you are card makers, but I have a feeling that many of you are also scrapbookers like me. I turns out that many Waltzingmouse Stamps are perfect for scrapbooking!

My first tip is to sew on your pages, not just your cards. It really adds so much interest to your layouts, especially zig-zag stitching.

I use a Janome Sew Petite because it's small and lightweight, easy to set aside in my craft room and pull out when it's time to sew.

My next tip is actually Claire's, but it bears repeating in case you missed it. You know how it can be tough to get a clean image when stamping with solid images? Well, all you need to do is this...

First, ink up your stamp with embossing ink

Then ink the stamp with distress ink, right over the embossing ink. Don't worry, it won't hurt your distress ink pad!


Quickly sprinkle with clear embossing powder

Heat set and voila, a vibrant, clearly stamped image!

I've used the largest ornament stamp from the Vintage Ornaments stamp set, which coordinates with Spellbinders Heirloom Ornament dies. Here's a tip... once you've positioned the die over the stamped image, tape it down with some removable tape.

Your stamped image will turn a different color! LOL... not really. I just decided the Fired Brick version of my ornament didn't match the paper, so I made another one with Peeled Paint. (*grin*)

Another tip is to stamp images directly on your designer paper. You can use images or text to create more interest. Here I've used the pine branch stamp from Festive Foliage and stamped in Tim Holtz Walnut Stain distress ink.

Raise your hand if you've ever tacked things down and then decided you should have done one more thing beforehand. I do it more often than I care to admit. I should have inked the edges of all of my paper layers with Walnut Stain distress ink before stitching. But at least I was able to go back and add ink to the outside edges, which I think gives a nice effect.

Here is the final page. I also added some ribbon to the top of the ornament. I haven't put anything inside the blank space of the ornament yet because I plan to use that for journaling once I pick the pictures for this layout.

I also added a vintage tag for good measure. It's a fairly simple layout, but one I think will showcase a couple of Christmas snapshots very nicely. Note that I stamped "Photo" on my placeholders using Victorian Alphabet, which is an especially good set to have for creating titles for your scrapbook pages.

I hope you've picked up an idea or two. Do try adding some stamped images to your scrapbook pages... you will love the results!

Please be sure to join us everyday through December 17th for more tips and ideas! You'll find all the links on the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog.

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Dashing Through the Snow!

Hi everyone! Time for another fabulous challenge at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps!!!

Yep, it's a color challenge, and I have to say I LOVE this combo! Who knew that brown, white and red would make a terrific Christmas card? Not me!

It's double the fun because Sparkle is hosting sweet Carly Breach's sketch challenge, which goes until December 16th. Carly is my friend Kris Breach's 12 y/o daughter, and she is super talented... just like her mom! She draws up fantastic sketches... a great resource in case you ever find yourself in need of a sketch to get your juices started. (which would be me most of the time!)

Anyhoo, I flipped Carly's sketch on its side for my card featuring Sledding Chloe. Our girl Chloe sure knows how to ride in style!

I created the brown background panel by embossing the star background (by Hero Arts) in white. Reminder: before you heat emboss, use your static remover (e.g., Stampin Up's Embossing Buddy)! I'm going to stick a note on my forehead so I don't forget again next time. lol

Because the image is large, I stitched around it instead of creating a cardstock border. I punched out the snowflake on white cardstock and then covered it with chunky glitter.

Why not come play with us AND Carly this week??? There's a chance to win a stamp in our color challenge and a chance to win the two newest stamps to be released by Sparkle this month if you play in Carly's sketch challenge!!!

For more inspiration, please visit Sparkle and the rest of the design team to see what they've cooked up for the color challenge. You will love them all!




See you again soon!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

More Joy!

More joy indeed! Happy Saturday!!! Because of my recent travels, I've been on break from Sketch Saturday the last three weeks. Yikes!!! I'm so glad I could finally sit down and make a card for this marvelous challenge. Yes, folks, it's time for another fabby sketch at Sketch Saturday!!!

Terry Wietsma-Girbes is our sketch hostess this week and has a very special guest sponsor. You'll have to jump over to the Sketch Saturday blog and check it out! (*wink*) I love Terry's sketch, but I could not figure out how to add an element underneath the angel. I was so anxious to ink up this cutie (Angel Delivering the Christmas Tree by Elisabeth Bell for Whiff of Joy), that I didn't think it through! LOL

The patterned paper is from the beautiful Holly Jolly collection by My Mind's Eye. I stamped text from the Text-It stamp set by Waltzingmouse Stamps on a piece of the patterned paper with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain distress ink and then sponged around the edges of the oval and the main panel with the same ink. The JOY greeting is done in felt by Hero Arts. I created the holly in the left corner with a Martha Stewart Crafts punch.

I love angels because my mother loved angels, and I think of her every time I see one.

I hope you likey and will join us this week for our sketch challenge!

I'm off and running today to, of all places, the American Girl store in Los Angeles to belatedly celebrate my and my sweet friend Alicia's birthdays. We have reservations for tea. Both of us love dolls. Alicia has the most amazing collection of American Girl dolls and accessories I've ever seen, and I'm totally enchanted. I can just imagine we will feel like little girls today. It will be a blast!

I hope you have a JOYFUL day, my friends! Thanks for stopping in!