Cleanliness is Next to Impossible!!!!

LOL It's difficult to keep your stamps 100% clean without spending a lot of money on cleaners that you have to be SO careful with. It's good to be on the careful side with any cleaners but when they require rubber gloves I tend to back off from them. If rubber gloves are needed for my skin, should I be wearing a mask so I don't breathe in any fumes??? Red flags fly there and I look for an alternative.

Here is one of my stamps I just recently stamped with Staz-on ink.

I used this fabulous cleaner that I got for $1.00 at the Dollar Tree. I sprayed it right on the Stamp and Scrub pad and rubbed the stamp in it. And as you can see it got it extremely clean. Not brand new clean but pretty darn close. But there is one more step I take after I get it cleaned. I spray my stamps with the Stampin' Up! Stampin' Mist. I don't feel it cleans off the Staz-on very well but it does keep my stamps from drying out. I use it on all of my rubber stamps, including non-Stampin' Up! ones. It's important to keep that rubber from drying out. Once that happens your stamps are no longer any good. You can not bring the stamp back to life either. SO it's best to take care of them from the beginning.

Here's the stamp cleaned up. Not 100% but pretty close!

Take care of those stamps, they are an investment! Plus when you go to sell them, if they look wonderful, clean and not dried out you'll get a decent price for them.

Thank you for visiting today!
Wanda

Buckets of Fun!

I got these adorable little buckets at the Dollar Tree. And yes, I just recently purchased them. Nothing I had in a drawer for a long time and just ran across. It's an item you can still find in the store. Better run now!! They may go fast after you see what you can do with them. These are in the bridal section. Not my choice of uses for them but that's just me!!! I saw them and a some stamps immediately came to mind. I went in the store to pick up a plastic container and I just happened to go down that aisle only because the aisle I wanted to go down was very congested with shoppers. I think I need a pair of blinders so I can stay focused on my shopping!!! LOL Anyway, I only picked up one package of them and went home to play!

I stamped my design on tissue paper using Staz-on black ink. Then I colored it in with markers. I cut the design out making sure I was no more than 1/4 inch from the edge. I didn't want the tissue paper to be visible. I adhered the tissue paper onto the bucket with Crystal Effects that I put on with a paint brush. I covered the design with more Crystal Effects and then sprinkled it with the 5 mm clear micro no hole beads. These are the same beads you'd use for the decorative beaded pens. I set them aside to dry. Now that they are dry I will tie a bow on the handle and make them even cuter!!!

This was very difficult to take a picture of. The beads kept reflecting on the flash. I should have taken the photo outside in the daylight but today we had rain!! Maybe I'll try a new photo tomorrow outside and see what I get. For a closer view just click on the photo. The beads give the bucket a frosty look but yet allows you to see the design. You can whip up a bunch of these in no time. The most time consuming part of this project is waiting for the Crystal Effects to dry. Best to just do them and tie the bows on the next day. The buckets cost you under $.40 to make. Nice profit margin on them if you're looking for a fast money maker at a craft fair. These are also great for party favors, Halloween Gifts, Hostess Gifts, Customer Appreciation Gifts, Halloween Gifts, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Parties and the list goes on!!! You could even hang them from the Christmas tree as an ornament!!

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

Spooky House

Ok, to be honest with you I HATE haunted houses. I don't believe in ghost, that's not the problem. I hate those haunted houses that are set up in early October and run through Halloween Night. I don't like things jumping out at me. I remember taking a group of teenagers to one at the State Fair Grounds many years back!!! I had hardly a voice when we got out of there. I think the more you scream the more the people who work at them hunt you down and taunt you!! LOL I don't mind a scary movie now and then but those where someone is constantly being chased in the movie don't sit well with me. But this Haunted House is pretty cute. Though if I saw one like this (with the eyes in the windows) you can pretty much bet that I won't be going anywhere near it. Now the bats on the other hand don't bother me at all. Personally I think they are an interesting and fascinating creature.

Here's your "Interesting Halloween Fact" for the month!!! I remember last year on the radio there was talk of vampires. Now had there been real vampires they would have to find regular people to bite. And those they bite have to find regular people. At the rate of one a night it would take 3 to 4 months for the whole world to all be vampires. SO, do vampires exist?? I guess the answer would have to be no!!! Only in Hollywood!!!

Ok, back to my card. I used the Spooky Skyline jumbo wheel for the line of trees and pumpkins. I was going to do that same wheel on Pumpkin Pie card stock and cut out the pumpkins but I thought it would be too much orange. The House with the ghost on it, the moon & bat, the tree and the tiny bat at the upper right are all from the little sticker set from Sandylion Essentials. And they were only $1 at Michael's. Do you know how many $1 Michael's has of mine??? LOL

The background paper is a form of polished stone. I will be sharing that technique on my blog sometime next week. It's a very fun and quick technique. (no telling anyone yet Sue!!!) I LOVE the way the oranges pop out. Creates a wonderful "Halloween" atmosphere!

Again it's another quick card to make. It's fun combining stamping with stickers. Much like what is done with scrapbook pages!

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

I've Been Nominated!

It's such an honor. Nikki at Military Wife Stamping Spot has nominated me for the BBF award! (Best Blog Friend) I am so excited and touched! Thank you so much Nikki!

I have had this blog for almost a year. I can't believe how fast that time has gone by. I have "met" a lot of wonderful people, some bloggers and others are readers. Stamping has such a wonderful community of fabulous people. I love sharing the information I find or design. That's what it's all about, isn't it? Helping each other out.

Now I must pass this along to 4 other Best Blog Friends. Not an easy task.

First I'd like to nominate Sara over at Sara's Studio. Sara and I email back and forth every now and then. She's a delight and has a wonderful blog. I don't know how she does it while raising 3 children too!!!

And there's Lauri at I Lie, I Cheat, I Case. She hasn't posted anything lately and hopefully this will let her know that she is missed.

Then I'd like to nominate Melissa at Simply Pink. She has some wonderful posts on her blog as well and we've emailed back and forth a bit. She's a sweetie!!

And lastly I'd like to nominate Debbi at Debbi's Dribble. This is one busy lady! This is a GREAT place to send your extra cards to. Plus it's a WONDERFUL tax deduction!!! Take a look over at her site and see if you can help her out. Collecting the cards is a year round thing so gather them up as you go and when you get a box full contact Debbi and she'll give you the mailing address to send them on.

This was a fun "award!" I enjoy blogging and I enjoy sharing what I create, design and sometimes case. Yes, I have been known to case on occasion. I use to all the time and then one day I started to design my own cards with inspiration from other cards I see. Every journey has to start someplace!!

Thank you all for keeping me inspired with your emails and comments.
Stampin' Hugs to you all!
Wanda

Acetate Box Information & Directions

Ok, my post showing the Halloween acetate window box was posted a few days ago. I couldn't find the website where I got the instructions on how to make it. One of my readers, Rochelle (you know how I hate to mention names on here!!! LOL) sent me an email letting me know where to find the directions for the acetate box. The directions are found at SplitCoastStampers and also at Susie's Spot. I scrolled about half way down, maybe a little more and there it was, her box and the link to the instructions. They are in the form of a PDF file and can be downloaded for you to print out and save for a later date. I actually save the whole PDF file and save it. I can find that easier than a piece of paper I printed out. These are SO much fun to make. They are a take off on the 2, 4, 6, 8 box on SplitCoastStampers but with a lid and base and acetate! LOL They are fun to make and fun to fill. I really have a lot of fun making them!

Who Knows??

Who knows what is up with the Feedblitz. This is the place where you can subscribe to my blog. It's listed on the right side of this post, near the top. I also subscribe to my own blog to see if and when the emails go out. I didn't see mine in my email this morning. I did see it in the Google Reader though. I also subscribe to my blog through there. It seems that through the Google Reader I get the updates pretty much as soon as they are posted. That's pretty cool. Feedblitz sends out all of them in one mass emailing. Most of the times it works fine but sometimes they have problems. Google Reader on the other hand has not failed yet. I'm still waiting!! LOL

So tomorrow in your email you'll get a few new posts from me!! I've got some fun and informative "stuff" coming up for you this weekend. But ALL of my "stuff" is fun and informative, isn't it?? LOL Ok, almost all of it!!!

This would have been a good time to put up some Blog Candy just for that one day!!!! LOL

Stay tuned for some fun things coming up!
Thanks for stopping by,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers

Ok, here is my Sketch Challenge (SC) for the Wednesday SC at SplitCoastStampers! I started doing these about 3 or 4 months ago and just LOVE it. It gives me a new layout to try each week. Some of them I have used over and over and others I haven't touched since the sketch was completed. But I keep them just in case I find the perfect card and need that special layout! If I would have known how fun it was I would have started way back with SC1. I can always go back and do each one and maybe one of these days I'll start that. Like I don't have anything else to do!!! LOL But it would still be fun!

Anyway, here's my SC for today. I know, another snowman. I had started out across the top with the row of trees from "Lovely As A Tree" but I didn't like what it looked like up there and moved on to a wheel. Well, what is my favorite wheel right now? Of course the "Snow" wheel. I just love the little snowflakes on it. But here I covered them with snowflake buttons. Silly me. But I thought the top needed a little more dimension but I didn't want to tie a ribbon across, I didn't think it would look right. It's an ok card and NOT in the running for our yearly Christmas card.

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

A Little One's Halloween

Some layouts I just can't get enough of and this is one of them. It's a very quick and simple layout and great for those little stamps. This stamp came from the "All in the Family" and "Family Accessories" sets by Stampin' Up! I haven't played much with those sets yet. What I had in mind for this card was about what I got. I wanted the little child to look like the pumpkin was his costume. Sort of does. This really reminds me of our son when he was a little over a year. We lit the candle in the pumpkin, put it between his legs and took a photo. He kept lifting the lid and looking at the flame. He LOVED fire. Kind of scary!!! And took a picture like that for a few years while he was young. I would like to redo his scrapbook pages from that time. It's one of those deals where you say, "If I knew then what I know now about scrapbooking....." I know the scrapbook would be a lot nicer. But back to the card. This could be used as a "Baby's First Halloween" card. And the concept of the baby and the pumpkin could be incorporated onto Halloween scrapbook pages.

Credits:

This card layout is called a "Circle Window With Frame" and it's by Kristina Werner. The pattern can be found at her blog. And here is my tutorial on improving that second larger punched hole. It saves a lot of time and steps! You can find it here.

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

WOW! Another Milestone!

My blog hit 140,000+ hits on Monday! I'm SO thrilled! And you will be too because you all know what that means. Yup. Blog Candy time again. But . . . not this week. Sorry. I am in the process of getting some items set up in queue on my blog so I can have a little R&R this weekend. A hot tub awaits me in Duluth!!! I was told the leaves are almost done changing up there. That's ok. Even if it rains the entire time we are up there, that is ok too. I mean, it's a HUGE hot tub!! I plan on being pruned! I'll step out and add one of the fabulous posts I have set up for you and back in the tub!! There is a wonderful stamping store near the Miller Hill Mall and of course I'm going to have to check it out. My DH will be just fine with it because there is a coffee shop right next door. Give him a cup of coffee and the newspaper and he's good for an hour or so!!! LOL And he never questions the stamping stuff I buy up there anymore. I just say, "They don't have this in the stores back home and he doesn't ask any more questions." Like he's going to go look when we get home!!! LOL If I find anything fun I'll be sure to show you when I get back. But personally, I think I own it all now!!! My workroom is full and I mean full!!! I'm trying (seriously) to use the stuff I have. Imagine that??? What a novel concept!!! LOL I am stamping "things" (everyone should have stamped "things") to work on during the ride up there and back. DH is not big on talking while he drives. SO I need something to do. And what better thing to do than to work on "things" for the upcoming craft fairs. Oh and not to mention the Christmas cards. 130 of them!!! UGH!!! I should have picked one with less pieces. Oh well, too late now to turn back!

I have some wonderful posts coming up for you and you won't even notice I'm gone!

And when I get back I'll put up some Blog Candy to celebrate the 140,000+ hits.

A Box of Eyeballs You Can Clearly See!!!

I've been seeing these adorable acetate boxes pop up on SplitCoastStampers every now and then and I just had to make one. They are really very fun to make and fairly easy too. I like easy!

You take the acetate, cut and score it. It's taped together at the small side seam and you have a square "tube." Then you cut the decorative paper to fit on top and bottom. Attach the paper to the bottom, fill them up and add the top piece. To add to the "easy" part of this one I used a 3D sticker on top of a black scalloped punched piece of card stock. SUPER easy and not to mention SUPER quick. SO if you have a lot of these to make this would be the way to go! The economical way to go is to stamp and color them. I was looking for quick this time. I'll be more frugal later!!! LOL

Aren't they just adorable? These would make wonderful Halloween favors. Can't you see these at a baby shower with theme candies in it? They would make fabulous Customer Appreciation or Hostess Appreciation gifts.

The gal who made the tutorial for this is at SplitCoastStampers her name is Susie McCormick. I tired to look for her post but was unable to find it and I don't know her user name there either. You may be able to do a search under acetate boxes. If anyone knows who she is would you please email me so I can post that information here?

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

Filling Your Blender Pen

Ok, now you have this fabulous recipe for Blender Pen Refill but what do you do with it?

There's a couple of ways you can use it. You can pour a very little bit in a glass votive cup and put the tips of your blender pens in it to soak or you can take your blender pen apart and refill the fiber shaft. This is the most effective way of filling the pen because it lasts longer.

These instructions are for the Stampin' Up! Blender Pens. Both ends of your blender pen come off but it's only necessary to remove one end.

Take the cap off and with a pliers squeeze the area nearest the body of the pen. Pull straight out and set the tip aside. You will want to replace the cover, it will keep the tip from drying out. Tap the pen on your work surface and a white plastic covered fiber filled tube will come out. This is what holds the fluid. Now you can add the refill to this tube. You can add to both ends or wait until it runs out the other end. At this point you have too much in the shaft and you may want to squeeze it a bit so it stops dripping. My bottle has a tip on it which makes it easier to fill the shaft. An eye dropper will do well too. I have even been known to dip my finger in the solution and let drops fall off it onto the end of the fiber filled shaft. Sometimes you just make due with what you have!

When you are done refilling your pen, put the shaft back in the pen barrel. Put the tip back in place (with the cover on) and push it on top of your work surface until you hear it snap back in place. Wipe up your area and wash your hands. By the time you get back to your work area your blender pen will be ready to use.

The recipe for the refill is found on the right side of the blog under the labels "recipe." You can click here to be directed to the recipe.

Thanks for stopping by,
Wanda

A Basket of Fun!

These little baskets are from Michael's and they are only 99 cents!! Such a deal! The come complete with a lid! Just decorate them and they're ready for gift giving or selling!

I just covered the top with decorative paper. I used a glue stick to adhere it in place. Double sided tape won't work. Plus the glue stick lets you move the paper around a bit before it sets up so you can get it exactly where you want it. I decorated the top of it with some cute Halloween stickers I got at Michael's too for only a dollar!! There's SO many bargains there! And I tied a contrasting bow to the top if it and VIOLA a cute little decorated basket. This would make a great hostess or customer appreciation gift. I will probably be giving it to one of my lucky stampers next month when they get together here. Shhh, don't tell my stampers the basket is full of chocolate eyeballs!!! LOL I bought this HUGE bag of them in my quest to find eyeballs earlier this month. And get this (ready to gag) they are crunchy ones!!! LOL The bigger eyeballs are fudge filled. Talk about gross!!! LOL I just bought them to have fun finding different ways to package them for Halloween and for October gift giving not for the chocolate. I'm not a big fan of chocolate anyway. It's ok once in a while. My idea of a chocolate chip cookie is one that has 3 normal size chocolate chips in it!! The PERFECT chocolate chip cookie!!! LOL

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

Blender Pen Refill Recipe

I'm adding my Blender Pen Refill Recipe to my blog so I will always know where it is!!! I can't believe I didn't think of this before! I keep losing things and I'd hate to lose this. I really like how this recipe works with my pens, markers and crayons. Yes, this is the recipe I gave to all my Watercolor Crayon Club members and now it's here for you too!!

You will need a one ounce bottle.

2 teaspoons Glycerin
4 teaspoons Distilled* Water
1/4 teaspoon Rubbing Alcohol

Mix all ingredients together.

*Note: You MUST use distilled water. Tap water has minerals, Chlorine and other impurities in it. These will cause your pen to smell and/or get moldy.

I keep misting bottles on my worktable and they are ALWAYS filled with Distilled Water. It's not worth the stink, mold or scum that could form inside the bottles. A gallon is under $1 and it lasts a LONG time. I highly recommend you invest in it.

There now you know where you can always find your recipe too!
Wanda

Flap Over Flap

This is a fun layout to try. I've never made one like this before. One of my stampers, Mary (you know how I don't like to use names here!!! LOL) made some cards with this layout. I just LOVED it and the card design she did. SO of course when I saw this stamp I immediately thought of that layout since the design area of this card was about that size. The "Love & Joy" set is a bit limiting. There really is not a whole lot you can make with it, though I do love those little stamps that are in the set. I would suppose they go inside the "O" of the Love and the Joy stamps.

This is an interesting card to put together. That little flap needs to be added before you lay that Bashful Blue layer on. Did I remember that when it came to put it together? Of course not!!! So I had to pull the side up a bit to get it in there. UGH!!! I do stuff like that every time. I'm either getting too old to retain any information anymore or too anxious to put the card together that I forget these things.

And you look at this card and think "not another snowman!" LOL I don't have anymore snowmen coming up for a little while. I do have a Santa on the way and in the form of a tutorial too!!! WOW, lucky you!!!

I do like the card but it's not in the running for our Christmas card this year. I don't want to be too frustrated pulling back edges on each card I put together. By the time I'd remember to add it before I tape the layer down it will be the final one. That's how things work out for me. Murphy's Law. Hey, who is this Murphy guy anyway? I kind of feel sorry for him!! LOL

I should add that the snowflake background on this card was done using glossy card stock and embossing on it with the VersaMark pad and using clear embossing powder. Then I sponged Ballet Blue ink over the top of it. In real life it has a nice shiny look to it. It is almost impossible to photograph it (for me that is) without a HUGE glare.

Thank you for stopping by!
Wanda