In a Timely Manner- Mojo 247

Yay!  I did it this week...pulled the Mojo Monday sketch and posted it before the end of the week.  No longer will I be number 167, or 205, or 250 (you get the idea) in the list, but maybe closer to the middle?



Sadly, mine is neither Round nor Square, but slightly rectangular, as I have no envelopes to match the square.  I streched my talent a bit and decided to use the Patio Party (126916) DSP and Make a Cake (126742) stamp set.  I say streched because the paper is sooooo busy! 

Very little stamping, lots of pretty paper and hanging lanterns.  Hey, it's a party!

I really hope you enjoy it:

Don't forget the inside!

More lanterns and patterned paper (why stop now?), and one of my very favorite retired Stampin' Up! sets, from way back in 2005, Mixed Greetings.

Gardeners Scrubby Soap

I've been experimenting with a new soap recipe, and I have to say, this batch turned out perfectly...creamy soft lather with lots of bubbles, lovely scent that is not disappearing, just the right touch of scrubbiness...lovely!  You can see the finished bars below. 
Doesn't this just look like the beginning of dessert?

Don't eat it...it's all my oils and lye water mixed and soaponified via the Hot Process method (Crock Pot Soap!) and you can see bits of ground oats and traces of newly added shea butter to add a nice bit of unsaponified oil to condition your skin while cleaning. 

I used to be a bit of a stickler, something of a snob really, about 'cold process' soap.  But I've played around a bit and am loving the texture of the soap and really, the whole Hot Process process.  I still need to leave it to harden a week or two, but you can check it right away, you don't loose your expensive essential oils in the heating, and I get to play in the bubbles while washing up.  And I can easily picture myself in my little forest dwelling, stirring my kettle of soap and waiting for it to finish.  I really need to get these to market...and go harvest some more herbs for my next batch...

Ok, back to the present...I don't know if you've ever made soap, but the smell is so nice while it's cooking...I've now come to identify the 'fresh soap' smell with creativity and relaxation.  And yes, I sit there and sniff it a few times through the whole process just to get that 'I'm making soap' high.  Just remember if you do this, wait till the lye water is incorporated to sniff, don't sniff the lye fumes...not really pleasant.

I tried a new recipe that was supposed to give more lather, added a few of my own touches, and re-sized the recipe to give me a small batch (and I do mean small).  It worked perfectly, samples were given to strangers, thanks to my loving husband, and the sampler-people reported back very happy. Yep, as creamy soft as it looks, with a gentle scrub...not for your face though.

And as these things often go...more free samples were provided and my perfect soap is down to three bars, a little over 3oz each, and dwindling fast.  I hope that if I make a bigger batch, it turns out just as well.  Do I save them or sell them?  Oh the choices!

One last note, I just made another small batch last night, testing a baby soap this time, and I must say, it's coming out lovely!  Chamomile & Calendula, but I'll post that later. 

Go dream of bubbles...

A Little Different

Something a bit different today.  Yes, I used some Stampin' Up! supplies, but no...it's not a card!  It's my Gnome Garden!

With all the popularity of the banners and pennants this year, I felt my gnome garden needed some sprucing up for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

 It was so easy, especially on a mini garden.  A few folded triangles taped to pretty gold cording. 

I'm thinking I need to do this in my own garden...I don't think the skewers will work, they're a bit short, but I'll find some way to hang them.

Isn't that just the cutest!

Mojo 246

I know it's not Monday, but my week seems to have flown by.  On the plus, it's not Sunday night, so really, I'm ahead of the game this week!

Hope you enjoy this.  I was hoping to figure out how to use the peacock without having to color the whole thing, and here it was...what does your Mojo Monday creation look like?

Paper - International Bazaar DSP (126920), Pacific Point textured paper, Kiwi Kiss textured paper, Sahara Sand paper (121043)

Stamp Set - World Treasures (126767)

Ribbon - Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, moss green silk ribbon scrap

Die-cut - Nestabilities Labels Eighteen

Ink - StazOn Jet Black, Pacific Point (126951)

Odds and Ends

Bits and Pieces, Odds and Ends

I loved the card at the top right of page 79 in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue. 

This is my attempt to recreate it using things on hand.  I haven't placed my first big order from the new catalogue yet, so I only have a few items. 

Using my 'Nestabilities' set (Labels 18), and some scraps of 'Urban Garden' DSP left in my craft drawer, and a few bits and pieces, I re-created the card.  Who would have thought my old DSP scraps would fit so nicely with a new set?  I knew I'd have use for them someday!

Stamp sets - 'Serene Silhouettes' (127324) and 'One in a Million' (126382)

Ribbon - 'Baja Breeze' 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon (122331)

Paper - Chocolate Chip textured, Whisper White, and Sahara Sand

Ink - Chocolate Chip (126979) and Baja Breeze (126960)

Accessories:  Nestabilities Labels 18, thick double-sided tape, Scotch ATG tape, Scallop Edge Border punch (119882), white printer paper (for the inside!)



A Bit of Amour

I've had this set for years and never used it, along with the pretty DSP.  I set myself a goal to make at least one card with it or give it away to a friend.  And honestly, I love the set...even though I haven't used it, I would hate to  get rid of it.

The set is Artistic Etchings (120573). 

This set would be lovely with the Fan Fair Product Suite in the new Catalogue, perfect with all those travel sets...and just in time for your summer travel! 

I used a few odds and ends lying around the craft room...Antique Brads (117273), the tiny clips from a previous catalogue, and some scrap silk ribbon I've been hoarding.

The ribbon is from Cam Creations, they have beautiful silk ribbon in a rainbow of colors, many hand dyed.  The red ribbon is Candy Apple in 13mm - an almost perfect match for the Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler paper.  And of course, you need something that looks extravagant with this set, and silky, sensuous red ribbon is perfect.  Silk ribbon frays easily and and can give that 'lost treasure' look quickly.  On the flip side, silk ribbon can also be turned into gorgeous, lush bows.  If you're going for the bow, get the larger 32mm size...perfect.

Set yourself a goal today - pull out that set you love but have never used and challenge yourself to make something with it - now. 

2012 Pals Blog Hop

Welcome to the Pals New Catalog Blog Hop! The Stampin' Pretty Pals are excited to share some fabulous cards and projects showcasing our favorite products from the new Stampin' Up! Catalog! You've probably hopped over from Nakaba Rager's blog at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/naki/blog, I'm stop number 31 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for new Stampin' Up! products from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track.

My cards today are from the Animal Talk (126392) set.  If you look at the previous post, you'll see my first attempt with the set.  Here are my next two cards, the Frog and Dog:

Look closely at the puppy - yes, his nose it wet!  OK, not really...it's a bit of Liquid Glass again...a dab on his little tail spot and eyes, too.  I'm really taken with the popularity of the banners, also...I've been using them everywhere lately.  The colors, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point.  The pretty paper banners are scraps from International Bazaar DSP, again.  I tried to make it look like he was holding the banners in his teeth. The stylized flowers inside the card are from the World Treasures (126767) set again, to go with the paper scrap. 

The frog card...my favorite so far.  The overall design idea?  Mojo Monday 245!  Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip, and Sahara Sand - what a combination!  I would not have normally put the green and orange colors together, but the International Bazaar DSP has these two designs as flip sides, so I figured, why not?  And how perfect and bouncy looking for a frog card! The Chocolate Chip background piece was textured with Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Square Lattice folder (119976) to add even more dimension to the card.  Inside, yes, it's the stylized flower from the World Treasures (126767) set, again.  

Now hop along for more inspiring ideas from Laurie Mercer at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/creativetalent/blog, stop number 32 on the Pals New Catalog Blog Hop! Thanks for "hopping" by!

In case you get lost, here's the full blog hop line-up.  Hop along and enjoy! 

1. Nina Dee at Deesigns by Nina Dee 
2. Brian King at Stamp with Brian 
3. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Scrap with Susan
4. Angela Richwine at Stampin' Away with Angela
5. Debbie Pierce at Stampin' Sunshine
6. Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog
7. Kim Luithle at Kim's Stampin Stuff
8. Kim Czenszak at Live Love Stamp
9. Angie Blake at Angie's Musings
10. Kylie Nicolosi at Kylie's Crafty Corner
11. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin' Space
12. Marian Kay at All Aboard the Crafting Train
13. Shannon Jaramillo at EZPeasyCards
14. Mary Fish at Stampin Pretty
15. Nicole Picadura at Scraps & Stamps
16. Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
17. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
18. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
19. Leslie Davis at Ellalicious Elements
20. Jennifer Takacs at My Stampin' Blog
21. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
22. Kimberly Deacon at Delightful Stampin
23. Kris Kilcoyne at Kween Bee Kreations
24. Nicole Watt at Impressions By Nicole
25. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
26. Mikki Sarkisyan at Mikki's Creative Corner
27. Sandie Conner at Pretty Provisions
28. Max Conrad at Stamp to the MAX
29. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
30. Nakaba Rager at My Stampin' Blog
31. Wendy Smith at West Wind Curiosities
32. Laurie Mercer at My Stampin' Blog

Variation on a Theme

Using the basic outline from a previous Mojo Monday (see a few posts down), I made a quick card this afternoon to share and show off some more of my new sets.

The image and words are from the new Animal Talk (126392) set.  So many cute animals!  I'll have to use the others and post a few cards with them so you can see - this is a great set for anyone who wants a quick card all from one set (words and images) and loves animals.

Isn't it sweet!  The blue is Pacific Point, the DSP is a scrap from International Bazaar (126920) and a strip from Patio Party (126916), the card, the circle, and the word strip are in Whisper White, and the large scallop circle is an old scrap of Pacific Point paper I found lying around...I love being able to use scraps.

Don't forget the inside...I used the coordinating set for the International Bazaar DSP, World Treasures (126767) and the stylized flower to add a bit of color inside.

I don't know if you can see it in the picture or not, but I also used the Stampin' Up! Liquid Glass to raise the branch, leaves, and the little eye on the birdie to give a bit of dimension to the image, and a bit of double sided thick tape to pop up the 'bird talk' wording. 

Mojo 244 - Friendship

Mojo Monday, Saturday evening!I love this card ~ clean lines, bright and happy colors, lovely message.  The blue (Pacific Point) really seems to pop against the simple white and grayish (Sahara Sand) background colors, and the yellow (Daffodil Delight) adds that bit of color that ties it all together.  The paper is International Bazaar (126920) DSP from Stampin' Up! and the set is World Treasures (126767).  I used the Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies (127003) and a bit of thick double-sided tape to pop-up the  'friend' message. 

 Don't forget to decorate the inside!  I used the stylized flower from the World Treasures set and added a bit of color inside.

I really hope you like it!

PPA136 - Color Challenge

I thought I'd use my cute new Make a Cake (126742) set from Stampin' Up! to work on this week's challenge.  It's adorable!  It's free this month when you sign up as a demonstrator - along with the pretty matching DSP.

Back to the card - the sets I used are Make a Cake (126724), One in a Million (126382), Framlits-Apothecary Accents (127003), & Textured Impressions Square Lattice (119976).

The colors were from the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge, PPA136 - Night of Navy, Real Red, & Whisper White.  Just a bit of early 4th of July inspiration, or a nod to the Queen's 60th Jubilee...take it as you like, the words can always be adjusted, but both celebrations are surely worth a cake!

The little bit on the left is from the top of the 'framlit' cut-out used on the front - I added the second half of the saying on the inside of the card, with a few small pennants and some thick double-sided tape.

I just love the extra dimension the double sided tape adds to the card.  I even cut out the cake and stuck it back with the thick tape.  The baby pennants above the cake I just used regular glue/tape to stick on.

Hope you enjoy!

Mojo 243, A week or so late...

Only a week or so late! 

Yes, i made this in time, but forgot to post anywhere, not here, not the Mojo site.  But, I just love the clean lines and colors.  This was from the Island DSP (retired, check eBay) set, and the little crown and 'friends' stamp was from Tiny Tags (118091) from Stampin' Up!, the bird is the Bird Builder punch (117197).  The inside was decorated with a small strip of leftover paper.

 

A few more butterflies...

It's so hard to get the colors right in the pictures...I really need to practice, or paint a box white and go that route (make my own light box).  Any tips from all the pros out there?

These are the rest of the cards I made using some of my DSP stash.  So hard to use it...must...use...it...Surely some of you understand?

 These are my favorites of the lot.  I was hugely inspired by the Mojo Monday crowd, and Mary Fish, my upline in Stampin' Up!...her blog is http://www.stampinpretty.typepad.com/ ...completely talented, very inspiring...

Amazing, Thoughtful, Sweet...

Forgot to post!!

  ...Amazing, Thoughtful, Sweet...

Last week...I think it was last week...For a bit of inspiration, I went out to the 'Mojo Monday' site for the latest template to play with.  I hope you enjoy it. 

I'm trying to use a bit of my Stampin' Up! DSP before I buy anymore for my stash...my hubby is afraid the house will be overrun, and I just hate to use it...because, well, then I won't have it, will I?  So...as hard as it is to part with it (I suppose that's technically why I bought it...), here's my card:

And, don't forget to decorate the inside.  I had so much fun punching butterflies, that 2 or 3 loose ones made it inside the card...

I love my Stampin' Up! toys...wait till you see the other cards, also using up my saved-up DSP.