CPS117 and a few other things....

Good Morning Bloggers!

Here is my card for the sketch from Card Positioning System this week. (CPS117)

Here is what I used:

• Basic Grey's Granola paper pack



• Inkadinkado's Circle and Dot clear stamp set



• Faded Jeans Distress Ink from Ranger



• Adirondack Jet Black archival ink from Ranger



• Technique Tuesday's Small Talk stamp set



• Star embellishment from Darice (? Not positive about that one!)

I was not all that pleased with it and I wanted to start over and make another one, but time would not allow it this week. I have not even had time to do the sketch from 2 sketches 4 you this week! So here it is! I wished I had chosen a different flourish, it did not show up well. I wanted to take some more time and add embellishment and such, but no time.

Why so busy you ask? Well, let's see... I guess we can start with the 4 part-time jobs and 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1 husband (TG) etc... but you all have that to deal with I am sure. This week we had a little health scare with my youngest son, Nick. He seems to be okay, but there are a few things we still need to investigate. So a little worried about him. My oldest Jake, is finishing his ROP program for automotive technology. They have a big awards ceremony for the kids tomorrow. Jake also started a new job and that has been really physically demanding because he is working 10 hours a day between ROP and his new job. You know teenagers, when they are stressed everything flies out the window, so we have been trying to be supportive and yet still get him to PICK YOUR CLOTHES OFF THE FLOOR! Oooops, sorry did I scream that? My bad. A little stressed and trying to work on that patience thing. Hmmm... lets see what else? Oh! I had 2 classes in the last week and had to "kit" for them and teach them. Both were evening classes which is always more stressful for me, because I know my family is home waiting for me to get home. Busy week at the salon this week, too. Not complaining, just more to do. Etsy has been soooo busy this week too. Again, not complaining, just a lot to do. Dave's dad is coming down today from Oregon for the weekend, my girlfriends have a weekend away in Reno planned, there is a graduation party for another friend, and the list goes on, but I can't even remember all of them! So I have had to scale back a bit and limit what I am doing so that I can get the important things in. I wish I could do it all, but I just can't. I think that is as stressful as trying to do it all! I worry about disappointing people. I am lucky to have friends that understand and love me no matter what. Thanks, Girls!

I wanted to have more pictures to post, but I just have not had time to create this week. I probably will next week. My friends and I are working on the Cards 4 Soldiers 25 + 2 challenge. I already have more than 30 to send, so I am working on trying to get to 50! I will share as soon as I have something finished!

2sketches4you Card

Another post! Can you believe it? I had to try another sketch! This is addictive! This one is from 2sketches4you. There is a link in my blog list to the right. Enjoy and be inspired! I used My Mind's Eye paper, Autumn Leaves and Hero Arts Stamps, Adirondack and Color Box inks, Prima flowers, American Crafts buttons, and Kaiser Craft crystals.

Catch ya later!

Susan

P.S. I am so happy for Kris Allen winning American Idol last night! I feel a little bad for Adam, but not too much! He will be just fine! He has had enough exposure to make it big! I can't wait to hear what Kris does!

CPS sketch 116

Hi Everyone!

Okay, so I lectured you all on making and giving cards last time, right? So, I figured I had better follow my own advice and do the same!

The picture on the bottom is my take on the sketch on the top from Card Positioning Systems. I used Bazzill cardstock, Magenta patterned paper, a Penny Back stamp (flowers) and two Hero Arts stamps (message and the flourish at the top of the page), a Magenta stamp (ivy border),Hero Arts crystals, and Distress Stickles from Ranger in Worn Lipstick and Peeled Paint. I used my Copic markers to color the flowers in.

There are some really cool websites and blogs that offer challenges that you can enter your cards in. I have added some of the links to the right as well. Hero Arts usually has a theme that they work with each week. This week is recycling something and using it on your card. www.heroarts.com/blogs/club Card Positioning Systems has a sketch to inspire you every week. http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/ Caardvarks has a new challenge every 2 weeks and their new challenge starts today! I haven't been over there to check it out yet, but can you guess where I am going next? http://www.caardvarks.blogspot.com/ Kristina Werner has a color challenge and I believe it is weekly, but don't quote me on that one. http://www.kwernerdesign.com/ There are tons of others out there! If you keep clicking on interesting links you will find lots of fun and talented people.

A quick note about classes. I have spaces available in my Macho Cards class Thursday 5/21, and Mighty Minis on Tuesday 5/26 if you are local and interested in joining. They are both evening classes. I'd love to see you there! Call Sandy to reserve your spot. The Stamp Art Shoppe - (916) 773-4378

Thanks for the recent comments on my blog! I love to get them! If you would like to be on my email list for classes please leave your email address and I will add you to my list. I promise not to abuse it or sell it to anyone.

Have fun searching and creating today!

Susan

Make some cards!

Hello! Today was one of those days where it is noon before you know it and you are still in your jammies! A friend stopped by for a cup of coffee, and needless to say, it was noon and I hadn't even eaten breakfast! So my whole day was a little off! It was worth it to visit with a good friend though. Thanks! I don't get that kind of opportunity everyday, so I'll take it!

I have been making a lot of cards lately. It feels really good to be making them. I was holding back a little bit and trying to make stuff for Etsy and classes and gifts and things. I really missed making cards. It is always nice to have a few "just in case cards". I find I always need a "Thinking of You", a sympathy, friendship, and a few birthdays in my stash. Especially teenager birthday cards! They take a little more thought. I have been trying to challenge myself to create more and more elaborate cards, but I find that they just are not my style. I am such a simple girl. I do put a lot of detail in my cards, but the overall design is quite simple. That is what my heart creates, so I need to go with that. As my son's kindergarten teacher always used to say, "You can't get blood from a turnip!" So, I guess I will stick with turnip juice!

I was playing around with Copic markers and some grunge paper. Not together! I might try that in the future though! I went a little Stickles crazy too. They add a little dimension to the flowers and bring them to life a bit. Well, I hope you enjoy my eye-candy. More to come soon!

At the price of cards these days, it is worth it to know how to wield the mighty stamp! It is my goal to inspire others to create their own cards. I often browse down the card aisle at Target or Walmart just to see what my competition is. I have to say, there are some cute cards out there. The big card companies are even getting wise to complaints about prices and the they are offering simpler cards for 99 cents. They are also not playing fair by laser cutting beautiful patterns. Whatever. Those are the expensive ones anyway. You can't beat the love that goes into a handmade card! No one says you can't buy a card and embellish it up either! Why not? The card police are not going to come and take you away to paper jail! Have you ever seen those sets from Michael's in the $1 section? They usually have a nice paper base and you can embellish them up with sentiments, rhinestones, etc... You can even give them as a gift!

I met a sweet lady last week who said that she has all of her cards in a box! I was a bit shocked! Okay, some of my cards are in a box too, but I do use them! I just make them faster than I can use them! Come on people! We need to give them away so that we can make more! That's the fun of cards! They are not works of art, they are just cards. Let them fly and be free! Make room for the new cards on the block! If you are looking for inspiration, check out the Hero Arts blog and join the flickr group pool. So many amazing cards!

Now, go and get yourself some inspiration! Make me a card!

Susan

Mother's Day Cards and Pics

Wow! It's been a busy week and a half! No shortage of drama here at the Porter house! Let me recap:

• Nick had his last track meet for the year and was not happy how he finished. (I thought he did very well.) He had a little meltdown.






• Jake started a new job (finally!) and had schedule mix-ups with ROP. It all worked out fine. He did have a little meltdown tho.






• Chrysler announced they were closing over 700 hundred dealerships across America. We had 2 days to stress and see if Dave's dealership was going to be one of them. Thankfully it is not, but the place he used to work is one that will no longer be A chrysler store. They have other car companies there still tho. I wonder how his old buddies are holding up.






• Ok, this one barely counts, but Danny was sent home on American Idol. Wah. We liked Danny Gokey. He was a phenominal singer, but I didn't really know what he would record as an artist, so maybe thats why he went home?? I'm sure we will find out. I'm sure he will have an album. I was so glad Kris is still there. I know everyone is gaga over Adam, but I like Kris much better.

I guess that is about it, but there were a few more personal items I can't share with ya. It's been a week! I did want to post some Mother's Day cards I made. My favorite is the one for my neice-in-law. It's the green one with the birdies. I hope everyone had a great Mother's day and I wish you all a wonderful week!

Susan

American Idol - Top Three

Okay. I have never really cried before when an American Idol contestant is sent home. I always figure it was their time to leave and they will be fine, right? Well tonight I actually cried when Allison was singing! Maybe it is because a friend of mine was sad about a death in her family and she is about the same age as Allison and I was sad about that. Maybe it is because I have teenagers and I know how they process things and I could see how emotional she was and I felt bad for her. But honestly, she sang so well with no holding back for that final song that I thought, "Yeah! You go Girl!" I was so proud of her! She will do well and I'm sure she will hear from her real soon. I am so glad that Kris Allen was safe. I know he is not as good a singer as Allison, but I always loved whatever he sang and I would certainly buy an album that he made. He will probably go home next week, but he is such a cutie he deserves one more week. Okay real quick. Wasn't Chris Daughtry hot?

I have no pics to post today. I have made some cute Mother's Day cards, but I can't post them yet! I'll be sure to post them next week.

I am taking a Magenta class tomorrow at The Stamp Art Shoppe. I am really excited because I love to color and they do a lot of coloring. I expect to learn some new techniques and polish up some old ones. I will have to post my projects!

Well, it is late, and I am tired. So, goodnight!

Susan

New Classes!

Good Morning, Bloggers!

The new class calendar is out! Finally! I have not posted all my photos on flickr yet, so they will not be on my slideshow yet, but they are coming! I do have a couple new photos on there of some cards I submitted for a weekly contest on the Hero Arts blog. Let me know what you think! If you are looking for card ideas, the Hero Arts Blog is a great place to find them. They have archives of ideas to search through and fresh inspiration everyday. Just go to Hero Arts website and click on "blog". Have fun!

Okay, back to the new classes. Classes are filling up nicely - especially the Macho Cards. The first class of the calendar is this Friday, May 8th at 10am. If you are available, call and put yourself in! Call The Stamp Art Shoppe to sign up! (916)773-4378 It is the Sizzling Summer Cards class where we will be making 4 summer themed cards. Here are some pics. Enjoy!

I hope I will see some of you in class!

Susan