Quote of the Week

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Monday, September 29, 2008

Back Home

So, you know how when you are doing something you say " When we look back on this later we will laugh"? Well, that was the start of our camping trip. It took us 2 tries to get the pop up set up. It was sooo much easier in the back yard. But after a little help from our fellow campers, completely taking the pop up down and setting it up again.... we did it! Of course we didn't eat until almost 8:30 that night. Thank goodness for hot dogs or it would have been much later. By day 2 we were loving the life of relaxation. We had such a great time just hanging out. But we didn't need those towels after all. The bathrooms were...well can you say "BLEK!" I know it is camping but, hello, doesn't anyone ever check them out?! So we came home stinky, relaxed and a bit tired...but in a good way.


Ok, I have one quick, funny story out of several...including the one where my husband thought he saw a skunk on the campsite next to us, then figured out it was just their dog, then realized that in fact it really WAS a skunk!

So onto the story of my daughter who is really a very sweet, quite religious child. She still thinks that "stupid" and "shut up" are bad words. So imagine my surprise when in the middle of the day on Saturday she goes into the bed portion of the pop up to change and comes out whining as says " Gosh Mom, it's hotter than hell in there". I wanted to laugh but instead explained that the "h" word was really a bad word. She had no idea...I mean they sometimes say it at church when they talk about the devil. So anyways, it was pretty funny and she was slightly embarrassed.


So, more for family than anything here are some pics of our first camping trip with just our family:

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I hope to post a card later. Stay tuned

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Question of the Week

I wanted to include a question of the week onto my blog. So my first question is this:

What is your favorite color?




I think this is such a simple question but one that provokes a lot of thought. For me there are different answers depending on what I am thinking about. I mean my all time favorite color is green. But I never wear it because I don't like how I look in green. My favorite color to wear is blue. And when I am stamping or decorating I like to use earthy, fall type colors.

I find that colors speaks to different people in different ways. Below is a list of colors and what they "mean". What do your colors say about you?




Color
Meaning
RED:
warmth, love, anger, danger, boldness, excitement, speed, strength, determination, desire, courage

ORANGE:
cheerfulness, low cost, affordability, enthusiasm, stimulation, creativity
YELLOW:
attention-grabbing, comfort, liveliness, cowardliness, hunger, optimism, overwhelm, Summer, comfort, liveliness, intellect, happiness, energy

GREEN:
durability, reliability, environmental, luxurious, optimism, well-being, nature, calm, relaxation, Spring, safety, honesty, optimism, harmony, freshness

BLUE:
peace, professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honor, melancholia, boredom, coldness, Winter, depth, stability, professionalism, honor, trust

PURPLE:
power, royalty, nobility, elegance, sophistication, artificial, luxury, mystery, royalty, elegance, magic

GRAY:
conservatism, traditionalism, intelligence, serious, dull, uninteresting

BROWN:
relaxing, confident, casual, reassuring, nature, earthy, solid, reliable, genuine, Autumn, endurance

BLACK:
Elegance, sophistication, formality, power, strength, illegality, depression, morbidity, night
WHITE:
Cleanliness, purity, newness, virginity, peace, innocence, simplicity, sterility, snow



I had to look up pink seperately

Pink:calm feelings, to neutralize disorder, relaxation, acceptance, contentment, color of beauty


BAJA WEDDING

Here is a quick post of another card I created using the beautiful paper from SU's Urban Garden. I have to admit that when I first saw the new In Color called Baja Breeze I thought is was just ok. But I'm really starting to like it. I made this card because I need a card for a wedding we are going to in Oct.


You can't really tell from the picture but I used the iridescent ice embossing powder on the main image as well as the sentiment at the bottom. How'd I do it you ask? Well, it's really pretty easy. First you ink up your image with versamark and then ink with the baja breeze. Stamp and cover with the iridescent ice and heat. Voila! Sparkle added in detail. I did something a bit different with the sentiment . However, you could do the same technique as above only using Chocolate Chip ink. (HERE IS AN IMPORTANT TIP: If you are making several of the same card, make sure to wash your stamp before you ink up with the versamark again or you will have a nice image on your versamark pad.)


Ok, moving on from that side note. THis is how I did the bottom. I used Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink and stamped onto the designer paper. Then I applied the embossing powder and heat set with my heating gun.




You can see from the image at the top the sparkly detail. This is enclosed in a chipboard frame. I covered this several times with the Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Pocket Silouhettes, Heard From the Heart

Ink: Baja Breeze, Craft Choc Chip, Versamark

Paper: Urban Garden DP, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Accessories: iridescent ice embossing powder, On Board Essentials, Choc Chip Taffeta ribbon, Vintage Brads, embossing buddy.( This is a must to reduce stray flecks of you embossing powder)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

PUTTING SOME SPARKLE IN YOUR DAY (or birthday that is)

As promised I am posting a few cards I was able to finish up the other morning. My goal has been to choose a challenge from the various blogs out there in the wonderful world of talent. So my first card will showcase the challenge to use glitter on a card. And let me tell you what- this card SPARKLES. I have found over the years there are 2 kinds of people..... those that really dig glitter and those that DETESTE it . Usually if you don't care for glitter you fall into a few categories...teacher, janitor, daycare provider, very neat freak, etc. I don't mean to offend anyone. It has just been my experience. I am someone who kind of digs glitter. Not all the time mind you as it does get everywhere. But everyone should sparkle a bit in life. If you have every watched Mr Mongorium's Wonder Emporium then you know that is what life is about...doing what makes you sparkle. So onto the card:








Here is a close up of the chipboard B that I painted with white acrylic paint, let dry and then versamarked and applied iridescent ice embossing powder.


So here is the recipe:
Stamps: Pretty Petals, Just B
Ink: Versamark, Rose Red
Paper: Cert Celery, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Accessories: Glitter, Chipboard, Scalloped Edge Punch, Rose Grosgrain, Heat and Stick powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing powder

Here's how you do the glitter. Ink your stamp with versamark and stamp image on paper. Apply Heat and Stick powder and heat until just glossy with heating tool. Immediately apply glitter all over the heat and stick. Tap off excess and then run the heat over the image again to "set" the glitter. If you do not have Iridescent Ice embossing powder you should really get it. It adds an amazing touch to an image.



Ok, I will post my other card tomorrow as it has taken me all day to get this post completed. We are trying to get ready for camping and I spent most my day doing that on top of work and getting the yard cleaned up from IKE. I'm pooped. See you all tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

We are back from Michigan and while I have a few cards to share I did not get them uploaded to my computer yet. I will do that tomorrow. In the meantime I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Stampin Up is celebrating it's 20th birthday.... with YOU! Isn't it great to buy a gift for yourself and save money in the process...all in celebration of someone else's birthday? So check out the flyer below and let me know if you need anything. UPDATE: Please click on the X to see the image. It will take you to the link. Thank you!


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I'VE FINALLY DONE IT!

I've been wanting to enter the world of blogging for a while now and finally decided to go for it. I am by far a computer wizard so I apologize in advance for errors made in the world of BLOGDOM...not to be confused with boredom. I hope this blog is anything but boring. I will do my best.

So, I decided on Sunday to start my blog officially. However, the remnants of Ike delayed those ideas. Losing power and seeing what survivors in Texas are dealing with made it seem trivial to start something like this. We had quite a bit of damage here and still we are so lucky and blessed.

Also on Sunday, my husband's grandmother passed away. We are leaving for Michigan today to be with family. So, while I start this post on a sad note I am showing a card that is one to focus on....Happiness. This card is also one that we will be making at my stamp camp next Tues the 24th. I hope some of you can join me for this. As always, it is a nice time to visit with other women, moms and friends while creating something to share with someone else....or hoard for yourself. Come on...let's be honest shall we?

So onto the card:


I will provide more details to this card after my class is complete. I will tell you that this is one of the stamps set that is on sale through SU for an additional 15% off called POCKET SILHOUETTES. You can check out the details and images here. Just click on the promotion for Never Before Seen Stamp Sets and it will showcase all the images. Also, if you are interested in learning more about my class please check out my demonstrator website at http://www.nikkischmaltz.stampinup.net/

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Some things you will find each week on this blog are a TIP which may or may not relate to something creative, a QUOTE of the week and hopefully lots of IDEAS and INSPIRATION. I hope to post QUESTIONS so we can get some interaction goin' on! If you know me you know I LOVE to talk. It's a family thing. The great part about this blog is I can chatter away and no one interrupts, well hopefully, and I have no idea if you all have stopped "listening" or not. I also hope to provide you with some LAUGHS which may come at the expense of myself and family but what they don't know won't hurt them. It may cost them years of therapy later in life but hey, I live in the moment. So let's laugh it up shall we?


Now before I go I will post one more card as I am not sure when my next post will be due to our upcoming trip.






This card uses the stamp set called PARTY HEARTY as well as some of the new IN COLORS...Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point. I also used Regal Rose and Rose Red. I ran it through my CUTTLEBUG for some texture and added the decorative edging on the circle with my picking shears. Topped it off with the new Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Satin Ribgon and VOILA. A Birthday card with pizazz. Ok, I'm off to finish packing. Hope you all have a blessed week!