PAPERLICIOUS

Happy Everything

This is number 3 of the 4 birthday cards I promised my coworkers.  I'm not sure I will use this one, but I liked the idea enough to post it. 

Card Construction Details:

1.  Gave up trying to  organize my scraps.  Have  large box under work table filled with scraps.  Dove in and emerged with  Spring Moss from PTI, Chocolate Chip from SU and some version of Rose from Prism.  Since Prism cardstock has bumpy texture, used back side.  Cut strips and adhered with mono multi glue onto another scrap piece of cardstock.  Glue oozed out the sides.  Repeated with first love tape.

2.  Wiped down strips of paper with an embossing buddy to control dreaded flyaway embossing flecks.

3.  Put happy birthday sentiment and strip of stars from Papertrey Ink's Around and About on acrylic block and repeatedly stamped in SU White Craft ink. 

4.  Embossed with Seafoam Ranger embossing powder.

5.  Took another scrap of Prism rose and used an SU slit punch to make deep scallops. 

6.  Mistakenly stamped the "happy everything" circle sentiment (thought it was the happy birthday one) in white ink on rose and embossed.  Decided I liked the sentiment as is and now take credit for clever idea.  Punched out with a 1 and 3/8" punch.  Stamped star in Chocolate on rose and cut out and adhered with SU dimensional.

7. Punched circle scallop with SU punch in Chocolate and adhered with dimensionals. 

8. Showed to Mike, who said colors were too pale for his tastes. Good thing it isn't his birthday...

Mood when done = accomplished

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If you'd like to read a bit about my life, please continue, otherwise, have a stampy day!

So, the plans for CHA are set.  Andy is thrilled to get rid of me for a weekend -- even offered to take care of his Grandma if I went. Lest you think he's doing this out of kindness, let me assure you that it is the former!  No Mom means less nagging! 

I kept toying with the idea of going, often coming close to making plans with others, only to back out and tell them to find another room mate.  On Saturday I got an email from someone I don't know asking me if I was sure I wasn't going and offering to share her room.  I love her work, and "know who she is" on the internet, but we've never chatted other than in a forum, (I need to ask her if it is ok to give her name....).  I think of her as a major rising star, so maybe I'll get some of her talent!

I read the email to Mike, who said Go Go Go.  So I made the plane reservations and that is it.  Feeling a bit indulgent, ok very indulgent, but I don't regret the decision. 

I don't write much about my Mom anymore.  I find that it is best to just keep that part of my life and the emotions attached to it in the scrap box under my work table, and take out what I need only when I have to!  Perhaps another day. 

Off to see if I can conjure up some Sarah Palin stuff! So far no luck!

Happy Birthday, Kincade Style

Happy 4th of July to my friends in the USA! 

Here is a Cornish Heritage Farms Thomas Kinkade stamp.  This went though many, many versions -- however, as I'm off to run an errand ***, I thought I would post this and perhaps add my Card Construction Details later.... 

*** Dear Paperlicious has a meeting to  interview Sarah Palin! ....more later....

I'm Going to CHA!

Got an offer to share a room from a very nice stamper (who is possibly a man in his basement, but appears on the internet to be legit), looked at Mike with pathetic eyes. He said go, baby, go. Before I could change my mind, booked my airfare and I'm all set. 

I'm dying with happiness this morning.....

And, yes, there will be Dear Paperlicious coverage of CHA!  Get ready vendors!

Bird Watching Birthday

I agreed to make 4 birthday cards for folks at work.  Since I have a long weekend, this seems manageable.  Here is #1!

Card Construction Details

1.  Remembered that Debbie Olson made a card that I really liked with PTI's Bird Watching set.  I decided to mimic the strips of handmade background paper.  

2.  Got out the SU Color Coach and chose Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace, and Certainly Celery for my colors.

3.  Stamped in black, and colored in birdhouses with SU Markers.  Die cut with a rectangle nestability and, keeping in place, sponged some celery and bashful blue inks on the image.

4.  Made patterns of paper with stamps from Bird Watching.  Except for the hearts.  They are from Waltzingmouse Gingerbread Joy. 

5.  Fooled around and added the SU gingham ribbon, in part to cover up some not so even strips of paper, and in part cause it looked nice.  Personally, stroke of brilliance moment on my part...

6.  Stamped and cut out bird.  Forgot bird.

7.  Adhered main image on the panel of strips but it needed something. Fooled around with a bunch of buttons and ended up with one big one as shown.

8.  Took multiple photos.

9.  Remembered bird!

10. Added bird with half an SU dimension (my, aren't we precise today!).

11.  Took more photos.

12.  Made Andy an early dinner.

13.  Oops Mike just called. Off to make our dinner.

Hope you are getting in some creative time.  I think I'll post some life chatter later this weekend...

Dear Paperlicious: Legal Updates

Dear Paperlicious:

Since you're a lawyer, how about sharing some legal eagle type news for us "never went to law school types."

Signed,
Perrina Mason

Dear Perrina:

Normally, I'm a $400 an hour lawyer, but since you asked so nicely, I am happy to share some IMPORTANT legal developments with my ever shrinking blog readers. 

1.  Postal Workers of America vs. Stampers:  This no good/awful class action lawsuit was filed on June 1 and could have a MAJOR impact on your pocket book and stamping trends.  PWA is alleging that the ever growing weight of handmade cards has caused irreparable injury to the backs of mail carriers.  In addition to asking for monetary damages (legal speak for cash), they want an INJUNCTION banning buttons, brads, zippers, tongs, cutlery, HAT PINs, and all the other crap embellishments that load down today's cards. 

But wait, there's more!

This horrible group is demanding that cards be LIMITED TO ONE LAYER.  Luckily, the paper manufacturers have the judge in their back pocket, so I am predicting a WIN for us papercrafters on this one. Plus, I've seen a draft of the Stampers' brief and they argue one very significant fact -- stampers just make cards and rarely actually send them, so this bogus lawsuit is sure to be tossed out on its pre scored spine...

2.  Cap and Trade Pending Legislation.  This bill, which recently passed the House (of Representatives -- the "constantly running for re-election guys") is a BOON for stampers.  Please, please send your Senator a lovely hand made card with a note begging these dopes to pass Cap and Trade.  And, if you are in Minnesota, make sure you write in REALLY BIG letters WITH SIMPLE SENTENCES for your new Senator....

So, why is Cap and Trade awesome for us paper artistes?  Section 113(A)(2)(b)(iii) is a little known sub section (I love citations!!!) that provides that the prices of all stamping supplies are being capped at 1992 levels (hereafter referred to as the CAP) and further provides that every stamper will send one box of goodies to the stamper to the right of her (hereafter known as the Trade).  Is this cool or what?

3.  I have more legal developments, but only those with paying subscriptions to my blog will learn about:

        - why Judge Sotomayer will be confirmed to the Supreme Court and how her presence on the Court will destroy the wood mounted stamp industry.

        - why DP's inability to attend CHA threatens the very existence of this blog and will lead to "domestic relations type" litigation in the very near future.  And, finally,

        - why one very well known stamping blogger steals all my ideas before I can execute them and the legal action I am planning against her. 

Sincerely,

DP

Sweet Hearts

Here's another very quick (honest!) 3" x 6" card for someone special!  You don't need the construction details, but I feel funny posting a card with no chit chat!

Card Construction Details

1.  Cut a 6" square of SU Pretty in Pink cardstock, score at 3" and fold.

2.  Stamp the heart from Waltzingmouse Stamps Gingerbread Joy -- Half Baked set three times on white cardstock.  I stamped it twice using SU's Pretty in Pink, with Rose Red ink on the edges.  Because these are clear stamps, it is very easy to overstamp, which means you can get a deeper shade of color.  Just make sure to line up the swirl perfectly, and you will get a clear even image.  Stamp sentiment (same set) in SU's Chocolate Chip ink as shown.

4.  Punch out images using SU punch, making sure to have images on different portions of the punched out cardstock.  Added pink heart Amuse Arts twinkle embellishments. 

5.  Stamped dot (same set) in between the die cuts.  I placed the die cuts on the card, stamped the dots in the center (since the pic is at an angle, they don't look centered, but they are), and then adhered the die cuts with very thick (!!) dimensionals. 

For My Sweetie

Here's a very quick card, but fun and cheery card. 

Card Construction Details

1.  Stamp a few candies from Waltzingmouse Stamps Gingerbread Joy/Oven Fresh in SU  Pixie Pink and Only Orange inks on white paper because Mike likes "bold brights."

2.  Cut out candies.  Cut out one inch strip for inside of card.

3.  Die cut label using SU Matchbox Die.

4.  Faux stitch the white die cut with SU Real Red Marker and stamp sentiment (from same set) with Real Red ink.  I love this sentiment!!!

5.  Make A2 card with Real Red (got a theme going here) cardstock and score where die cut label will go.

6.  Adhere label with dimensionals and glue candies.  Add Ranger Glossy Accents to candies on outside of card.

7.  Give card to Mikey!

Sneaky Sentiment Placement

I often have a hard time putting a sentiment on the cover of a card, and I'm sick of using my Martha tag punch.  So this morning I decided to put "hello" right on the flower.  "Applause may stop now."  Yes, I know I'm not the first one to put text on a flower, but has anyone ever put hello on a flower?  I didn't think so... and if someone has, please don't tell me.

Card Construction Details

1.  Woke up at 3:22, which for me is excellent!  Hung out on Facebook for a while and then moseyed on over to the "craft room/extra bedroom/studio/genius at work" space.

2.  Cut one inch strips of Stampin Up Bella Blue designer paper and adhered on an angle to a scrap rectangle.  Trimmed and mounted on a Not Quite Navy rectangle.

3.  Made a bunch of flowers with the Sizzix Originals Die Flowers Layers (#654979 if you are desperate to copy my every move....) with NQN cardstock, vanilla shimmery paper, and the Bella Bleu papers.

4. Fooled around figuring out which flowers to use and then "light bulb moment surely worthy of cover of magazine" decided to stamp the teeny tiny hello from PTI Mixed Messages in the manner shown.  Edged petals with a NQN marker, bent them to look artsy.

5.  Decided I needed leaves.  Realized that I had no stamp for leaves and ---- more geniousity at work -- drew the leaves with a marker and cut them out, saving a minimum of $24 by not buying set or die of leaves.  Mike, that is so going in my stamping budget!!

6. Made 3 leaves because Julie Ebersole taught me about the rule of 3s, which I still don't understand, but am good at following directions.

7. Inked up edges of leaves with SU Vanilla Craft ink. 

8.  Added little pearl from stash.  Glued the whole thing in time to show Mike.  Not his colors, but I made believe that he loved it and all was well in this house. 

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DON'T FORGET to scroll down for my sale post and did you see Waltzingmouse's new Celtic Heritage and Irish Blessing stamps?????  I'm jumping with excitement at getting my hands on them.  Those sentiments are KILLING me.

Save the Date: Stamp Sale at My House/Mr. DP will be there!

I'm giving you peeps** in the Washington, DC/Northern Ireland area plenty of advance notice, so no whining.  I expect you to be there.

Saturday and Sunday August 22nd and 23rd.  Many details to follow later this summer. 

And:  anyone who shows up gets to meet Mr. DP! 

**Mike just asked me what "peeps" means.  Sigh.  I had to explain it was my buddies, my homies, my pals, my PSFs!!!  Men!

Fused Glass Picture Frame

When we were in Charlottesville, VA last week, I found a little "make you own glass" shop.  Mike and Andy generously went off on their own while I spent an hour or so learning how to cut glass and make a frame.  The frame holds a 5 x 7 picture (it is blank here).  Once a picture is inside, the lines along the edges disappear.  The parts that look white are really clear (you are seeing the white paper underneath).  The black/green pieces change color when you move the frame.  They are kind of shiny. 

Very easy.  Cut the glass to any shapes you want and glue to frame.  That's it.  The shop took care of the "fusing" or baking.  I had a choice of fusing -- making the frame smooth and roundish with my transparent yellow, red and blackish green pieces inside the clear frame, or my pieces could have sat on top of the clear frame.  I chose fusing. 

Fuse baby!  Love the look.  And it is truly one of a kind.

Sorry for the glare on the pic.  It is hard to take a picture of glass! 

Oh settle down!

Just cause I'm selling scads of stamps doesn't mean I'm quitting stamping. Just getting $$ to buy more stuff!! 

Also, I want to take up a bunch of other crafts and I need $$, time, space, and talent.  Would appreciate it if you all could each send me a bit of each. 

I hope to be back sometime in the next whatever with awesome creations to share -- including a rockin' picture frame that I made with NO STAMPS OR PAPER OR INK. 

Gingerbread Hugs

I started my 2009 Christmas cards today.  I was looking for something easy to mail, easy to duplicate, and with few or no embellishments.  And cute!  I can't tolerate making too many identical cards, but I think I can make quite a bit of these.  Very easy. 

Card Construction Details

1.  Made huge mess with previous versions. Sulked for a day or two.

2.  Stamped the outline Gingerbread boy from Waltzingmouse's Gingerbread Joy - Oven Fresh with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Stampin Up Creamy Caramel cardstock.  I prefer the latter to Kraft cardstock, but either would work.

3.  Colored in with Copics -- took about 1 minute.  I used Copic Sketch E00 Skin White, E33 Sand, and just  a bit of E35 Chamois on the edges, making sure to blend in with the E00.

4.  Used my Japanese Screw Punch to punch out the swirls on the Gingerbread's tummy. I was planning on adding brads or eyelets, but changed my mind and just taped a scrap piece of SU Real Red Cardstock under the holes. 

5.  Stamped sentiment on bottom -- one of my favorite sentiments -- praying it would stamp cleanly and straight. Victory!  These are high quality stamps! (I can see mailing this to Andy when he is at college next year (sniff)).

6.  Trimmed and then trimmed again with my Mom's pinking shears.  These are only supposed to be used for fabric, but...she doesn't sew anymore and I stole them out of her sewing box.  Her eyesight isn't sharp enough to sew anymore.  But, I digress!

7.  Made A2 card with Real Red cardstock and mounted trimmed piece with SU dimensionals.  These are thin enough that they do not affect mailing, but add just a bit of interest.  

By the way, am planning HUGE sale of most of my stamps in an in-home yard sale. If you live in the DC area, keep an eye out for an announcement. I'm trying to figure out a good weekend for this!

the love of a FATHER

Mike is a terrific Dad to Andy and Andy knows it.  What a treasure.  And on this first Father's Day after the loss of Mike's father last October, I also want to mention how much we miss Mike's Dad.

Happy Father's Day.

Card Construction Details:

1.  I kept making Father's Day cards and tossing them in the trash. Ugh.  Mike finally said -- just make a bold bright background and throw on a happy father's day sentiment.

2.  So, I did.  I stamped some trees from Papertrey Ink's Father Knows Best, stamping them with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloring them with SU Green Galore and Pixie Pink Markers.  The tree trunks are colored with Brocade Blue several times (which significantly darkened them). 

3.  Went over some of the leaves and the trunks with a Versamark pen and embossed with clear embossing powder.  This darkened the trunks even more.

4.  Stamped sentiment twice, cutting out Father and Masterpiece for emphasis, and cut with a nestability circle die and added it with dimensionals.  Added some non masculine twinkle embellishments on the sentiment just for fun.  Mike can handle them!

5. Rounded corners and assembled card onto a Night of Navy base. 

Sale at I Heart Papers!

Kate's having a sale at I Heart Papers.  Lots of good stuff, including the JustRite Stampers.  That reminds me that I have this -- I put them away when I was organizing.  I hate that!

I'm a little late noticing this as I've been away for a few days.  Hopefully, I'll have some stamping to share sometime in the next day or two!

Dear Paperlicious: do you know what day it is?

First, here's another card I made.  See the previous post for chatter on the design, etc. 

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Sunday June 14th:

DP:  Do you know what day it is?
Mr. DP:  Flag day?

DP:  Yes, but that isn't what I was going for.
Mr. DP:  (Ruminating out loud).  It's Sunday ... it's not your birthday ... it is June 14th ... not our anniversary.  Nope. No idea.

DP:  Ok, it was kind of a trick question. Do you know what day it is at midnight?
Mr. DP:  It's Papertrey Release Day!  Should we have cake for dessert?

DP:  Cute, husband man.  Yes it is!  Although I think it is kind of scary that you know this and even know who Nichole is.
Mr. DP:  Doesn't every decent husband of a stamper know that the 15th of the month is Papertrey Release Day?

DP:  Like I said, maybe I talk a bit too much about stamping.  Or maybe you've got a crush on Nichole! 
Mr. DP:  Oh please.  I'm just trying to relate.  Show I listen.  By the way, what are the new colors this month?  What are you getting?

DP:  I've created a very strange husband..........