Design Team First Challenge Winner

Heartstrings Design Team issued their first challenge a couple weeks ago with a Red, White and Blue theme.  All of the entries into the challenge were so wonderful, I would have had an impossible time choosing which one won based on creativity.  Thank goodness for a random number generator!  Based on those results, our lucky winner is:

#5 Christine! 

Christine, please send me your address and I will send out your free stamp set courtesy of our wonderful sponsor My Heart Stamps For You.

On July 7th, the Design Team will be back to share some more fun creations.  We hope all will want to play along with us again.  Stay tuned!

Baby Day...Coming Soon!

This evening I decided I needed to give my Cricut some love because I haven't used it in quite awhile.  It has been very difficult of late for me to focus on creating new projects for my blog...life has been SO hectic.  Training for a new job that has my brain zapped completely, trying to get my stamps ready for selling, family reunions going on....and last but certainly NOT least, the due date of my darling 1st grandbaby just a couple weeks away.  I need to get busy on making a home for all the fun photos I am going to want to scrap when she is born.  Tonight I decided to peruse the New Arrival cricut cartridge, and it is SO CUTE!  I made this simple page as a starter page for Brinnsen's new photo album.

I am very rusty when it comes to scrapbooking.  I would love lots of tips and ideas to make my pages a lot more interesting than this.  But the cartridge is really cute, so it helped me out quite a bit!

Tomorrow is the last day you can join us in the Red, White and Blue challenge.  I would love to see a few more entries.  Remember, there will be a prize awarded randomly to one of the entries....so your chances are quite excellent!  We already have some very wonderful entries and I am so pleased with the participants that played along with us.  And, there will be more upcoming challenges very soon...so stay tuned.  The Design Team is gearing up for another fun-filled day VERY soon!!  OH!  And don't forget, if you mention our Design Team sent you when ordering any stamps from our sponsor My Heart Stamps For You, she will send you a FREE stamp with your purchase!

CNS Blog Hop-Blog Candy Winner!

I wanted to announce the winner of the blog candy I offered during the CNS Blog Hop over this past weekend.  Before I do, I want to thank everyone who took the time to come over and check out my new stamp site.  A few asked if I was offering my free shipping to Canada.  At this time, I don't offer free shipping to Canada, although I wish I could.  I am very willing to ship for the actual cost of shipping though.  I am also willing to accept checks and money orders if you want to email me directly at shelleybeanstamps@gmail.com ; we can discuss that.  Paypal imposes ridiculous fees (in my opinion) so alternative options will be considered.  But, enough about that!  Let's get onto the winner!!

creative patti said...

I love Copic markers!!! Great stamp, would love to own it!!! Loved your store and your blog, Great Job!! This was sooo much fun, learned sooo much!!!! pattig161@yahoo.com

June 26, 2010 10:34 AM

Patti, please let me know the stamp of your choice and I will send it out to you right away!  Congratulations!

Now...more about Copic Markers!

Thank you for the overwhelming response to my videos on Copic markers.  You can find my past videos at the link above, and I hope to contribute more as I go along.  I really hope to impress on everyone that the only thing scary about these markers is their price.  They are soooo fun to use.  With all that being said, I do know of a website that I highly recommend that has an excellent price and the best customer service I have ever seen.  (I am not mentioning the name of another well-known store that claims an ever lower price but my experience with their lousy customer service made me cancel an order with them...no, I won't mention them by name.  Seize the Day!)

OOzak had my order to me in one and a half days!  I was so surprised and happy!  When I ordered, Copic sketch markers were $4.15 each with a minimum $50 order (not hard to do).  I thought to be helpful, I would also recommend some colors that I think go well together for basic shading.

Flesh = E000, E00, E11

Denim = B97, B95, B91

Red = R29, R27, R24, R22

Pink = R39, R85, R83, R81 (you can eliminate R39)

Orange = YR00, YR12, YR16, YR18

Green = G99, YG63, G40

Lavender = V000, V12, V15, V17

These are just a few suggestions.  Usually you can get away with only buying 2 shades...a light and a dark within the same group.  (the 3rd in the middle is even better if you can manage to get it too) but using the blending tricks you can create that third color with some practise.  But, enough about Copics. (for this time, anyway!)

Canadian Nickel Scrap'n Blog Hop!!!

This is Shelley and I want to welcome you to Heartstring-Designs and the fantastic Canadian Nickel Scrap’n Blog Hop! If you just found this hop via me, you are in for a treat, because there are nine of us with some helpful and creative techniques to share with you. If you are already on the hop then you probably arrived from Melanie’s blog and were thinking this was the end of the hop. But, you would be wrong…hop back over to Nicole’s blog (after you check me out of course) for some exciting blog candy and more information!


Today I thought I would share a Copic marker technique on blending colors and something special at the end that will amaze and thrill you. (or at least make you think, “aha…kinda cool”) Please watch my video tutorial for all the info:





And here is the finished product after I made it into a polka-dot inspired card.

Do you like this stamp? Well, I am hoping you do! This is one of my brand new designs that I have for sale over at my brand spankin’ new stamp store! Please check out Shelley Bean Stamps for this and other stamps now ready for purchase. (with free shipping-always!) And, if you leave a comment here (on this post) after visiting my store and checking it all out and become a follower of this site and the stamp store you are automatically entered into a super blog candy prize of 1 free stamp of your choosing.

Now, please hop back to Canadian Nickel Scrap’n to finish off this fun-filled blog hop!

Here is the list of blogs in case you've lost your way:

1. Nicole
2. Alex
3. Eulanda
4. Jessica
5. Liz
6. Mari
7. Meighen
8. Melanie
9. Shelley (that’s me!)

So much to catch Up on!

I thought I would give everyone a peek at how my stamps are packaged and sent to customers.  Each stamp is individually packaged in a quality clear bag along with enough static cling mounting foam and an example on front and back of packaging of the image itself.

If you might be interested in checking out these and other images, please click on this button:

I hope everyone checks out my new venture, leaves me some feedback, becomes a follower, and I would be entirely flattered if they wanted to purchase one of my original hand drawn stamps.

There are some terrific challenge entries going on with our current Red, White and Blue challenge.  Thank you all for your wonderful submissions.  There is still time to share with us what you made along this theme.  Look at this link for all the details:  Red, White and Blue Challenge.

I am very honored and excited to be picked to participate in the Canadian Nickel Scrapin Blog hop this weekend.  Please check in to see what fun things we will all share with you.  I hope you remember to check us out.  I for one will be offering some bloghop candy!  Woohoo!

And last but not least...I am still waiting to hear back from one of my prize winners in the big double prize giveaway.  If they have not responded by Thursday evening, I will re-draw for the Indie Art Cricut cartridge.  So.....you may still win.

Shelley Bean Stamps!

Just a quick blurb before I go to bed.  The page to view my stamps for sale is ready.  I hope you come and take a look!  There is a handy button to the right of this post or you can take this link. 
More info and chat about it tomorrow...but I couldn't wait. :)

The Winners are chosen and a couple important announcements!!

Good Morning everyone!

I first of all want to thank you all for participating in my give away! The response was wonderful and I was really excited to giveaway such great prizes. I hope the winners make something fun with their loot and share it with us all over at the facebook page. It would be so fun to see what you make. I also have an open invitation to everyone to visit us there and share their blog links, photos and so forth of all their crafty stuff. That page is for ALL of us! Please follow this LINK to join!

I also want to invite everyone who reads this post to join us in the Red, White and Blue challenge going on through the 31st.  The randomly chosen entry will win a couple of really cute stamps.  We can never have enough stamps right?

Which brings me to my next announcement......drum roll please......

I will be offering my OWN line of rubber stamps starting this week.  I am soooo excited! They aren't quite ready to present to the world, but I am shooting for THIS WEEK...so please stay tuned.

Now, on to the winners!!

1.  The winner of the Independence Day Cricut Cartridge, stamp set and stickers is:

• Lori said...
  
  just posted a link on my blog!
  
  http://thepaisleyturtle.blogspot.com/2010/06/heartstrings-blog-candy.html
  
  June 5, 2010 5:14 PM

2.  The Winner of the Indie Art Cricut Cartridge in the super special 2nd giveaway is:

• NUTHINBUTDABUG said...
  
  hey shelly, im already a follower! ladybug1376@hotmail.com
  
  June 8, 2010 8:00 AM

All right ladies...send me an email with your address in the next 24 hours to claim your prize!

Heartstrings Design Team-Red, White and Blue! (And a Challenge!!)

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the first ever, Heartstrings Design Team Wednesday! I am so happy you decided to visit today because I have a lot of fun stuff to share with you. Our theme for today was to create something Red, White and Blue. The designers were given a variety of stamps to work with and allowed to choose whichever one inspired them. Let me preface everything by saying that the stamps were provided by, “My Heart Stamps for You”, our wonderful sponsor. Julie over at MHSFY was nice enough to donate the prize for our challenge today and along with that she has a special offer for everyone! If you visit her site during the next 2 weeks of the challenge and place an order with her, and mention you found her through Shelley (me)or Heartstring Designs (or the Design Team) she will include a free stamp in your order! Isn’t that fantastic?

But that is not all…somewhere on one of the Design Team blogs is another special giveaway. I encourage you to visit them all, find the second giveaway and follow the instructions to win!!

And last but in no way the least….we offer a challenge to all of you. After you have visited all the blogs, please come back here and enter our Red, White and Blue challenge. Please submit your very own Red, White and Blue creations to the linky below and you are automatically entered! Here is the prize!!

So without further ado…here we go!

This is my submission. I had a stamp of a little quilter and I turned the quilt into a flag , colored it with Copic markers (of course) and turned my little quilter into Betsy Ross! The background paper was embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, the ribbon trimmed edging was cut with a Fiskars edge cutter and my tag was merely curled a bit around a pencil to give it the “waving” banner effect. A few star embellishments, a little stickles and distressing and I feel like I am ready to light the fireworks and have a BBQ!

*****

Beth loves to create projects with lots of color. She is fortunate to have a crafting group she meets with every weekend so she can use her creativity as form of therapy. (How lucky! I wish I lived closer!) She has this beautiful card to share with shooting stars! Please check out her blog for all the details. Stinkin’ Sweet Scrappin’.

******

Over at Mariam’s blog, you will find her adorable card and a matching bracelet she created. Mariam is well known for her beautiful jewelry creations. She will give you all the details over at her blog: Mariam Satchell


*******

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Madison is our youngest albeit very creative designer. I really appreciate her unique and fun approach to everything she makes. She has some very cute and thoughtful gift ideas to share, so please visit her blog to find out all the details: Funky Cards.

Gaby is a High School Librarian/teacher with a penchant to create. Whether it be crocheting, drawing or paper-crafting, she loves it all and does it all. She is very interested in the Copic markers (which is my current passion) so I am excited to share with her all I can. She has created this beautiful card with the very unique folds. She will tell you all about it over at her blog: Scrapbookaholic.

*******

Pam (PJ) is another very talented lady that creates the most beautiful cards and layouts. She colors her items so well and that is because she has been Copic certified and teaches various classes. Please check out her blog and see this and many other wonderful creations. Scrapbookflair.

******

Anne is a very creative and an inspiring entrepreneur. She owns her own online craft business and still finds the time to create and maintain her vast network of crafty friends. Please check out her blog as well. Paper Patch Crafts.

*******

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think.  And we would love to have you join us in the challenge and show us your creations too!  We will pick one winner through a randomly generated number.  Good luck!

Copic Certified Designer and Something Exciting!

I just finished up my certification for Copic markers.  It was a lot of fun.  My instructor was Jennie Black.  She was great!  I learned some new tricks and techniques I hope to share soon. 

I also thought now was a good opportunity to tell you all about something I have been keeping under my hat (sort of) for a little while.  I will very soon...be offering a small line of rubber stamps!  I hope to show you all some new designs that will be exclusive to me and for sale through me.  (Actually, you have already seen a few of them on here.)  I am starting small to see if there is interest, but hopefully will add more as I go along.  Finished previews will be on here soon.  I may also offer a few digital stamps in the future.  I am very excited about all of this and really look forward to sharing my artwork with all of you.

Something Pink and Design Team News!!

Whew...what a week!  If anyone has been following my comments on facebook, you will know that on Wednesday afternoon I decided to load up the car and my son and I headed the 7 hours to Portland to spend a few days with my hubby.  I really wasn't ready or prepared to go, what with Copics certification on Sunday as well as a class on Saturday afternoon.  Also, next week is the launch of my new Design Team and there was much to do there...not to mention, starting a new job on Monday.  Seemed crazy...but it was such a nice visit, I am glad that I went.  At least I have something to share with you today, since I took my class this afternoon. :)

This is a Loralie Stamp.  I am going to be honest with you, I didn't really like them all that much at first look.  But, as I started coloring this one, she started to grow on me a little bit.  They are definately characters!  There is another one I am working on that I didn't quite get done, but hopefully will post it tomorrow or soon!  That is...if I have enough life in my camera battery.  I actually left my charger card in Portland!  Agh...

Now, onto bigger news.  Wednesday is the day you can check in to see what my wonderful Design Team ladies have to share with you.  I will give you a hint...the theme is red, white and blue.  I have had a couple sneak peeks and am so excited for you all to see what they have come up with.  Our wonderful sponsor is My Heart Stamps for You...and stay tuned to hear about a very special offer from them!  Also, we will be issuing a challenge to all of YOU that goes along with our theme, so be thinking of what you might like to show-off to us!  We can't wait!!  Oh, and did I mention there will be a prize awarded to one of our challenge participants?  Lots of fun coming up! 

The give-away has one more week to go.  Do you think we will make it to 200?  If we do, I will happily give away the 2nd Cricut cartridge, Indie Art. 

Unbelievable, I know...but....

Wow!  I logged on to my blog this evening to discover we hit the 150 new followers goal.  I am in Portland until Saturday and don't have any of my paper or stamps around and so I asked my hubby, "what should I do to make this give-away even better?"  His reply was that I better share the love and add a 2nd drawing for ANOTHER cool cartridge.  Don't we all love my husband?

Speaking of "cool"...this cartridge is the epitome of coolness! 

So, what does someone have to do to enter and win this cartridge, along with my other giveaway?  It's pretty simple!  Click on the link HERE and follow the instructions in that post.  All the comments HAVE to follow after that post and you will have up to 5 chances to win.  Also, please..please...please...include your email address or a way for me to get hold of you should you win.  I would hate to have to choose someone else when it really should have gone to you.  I am so excited about these giveaways....aren't you?

A Quick Card

I thought it had been a few days since I actually posted anything new...so here is a quick card I put together using some paper scraps.  The image is one of my drawings, and I colored it with Copic Markers...added a little bow and some scraps for embellishment, and there you are!

The edge cut was made with by Fiskars.  It also embosses as it cuts, but to be honest...that feature failed to impress me!  The cut is nice though.  I hope you enjoy!

Scrappy Moms

I wanted to give a shout-out to everyone about a fun new venture for one of my bloggie buddies.  Mel is introducing a brand new line of stamps that go along perfectly with create a critter (but lots of other fun things too).  Please check it out!  Scrappy Moms.  They are so super cute!!  I want them!

Feeling Overwhelmed and Blessed

Have I mentioned you are all the best?  I really want to thank everyone for their support as I grow my little blog here.  I promised more loot in the give-away....so here you go!

It's a STICKER-O-RAMA!  (now, try to say that 3 times fast)

There are a lot of sticker sheets here.  Just about everything you can imagine.  I counted about 32 individual sheets.  Some are the long sheets, some are smaller and in packages of 3, some are glittery, puffy and chipboard.  Actually, I think I want this!  But then again, who wouldn't?  It's a lot of fun and hours and hours of sticker-tastic adventures.  So...what's the catch?   How do you get a chance to win this pile of sticky fun along with the adorable rubber stamps, not to mention that brand new cricut cartridge? 

Help me get to 150 followers....

by....

Follow the give-away link at the upper right corner of this page....and follow the directions.  You have up to 5 chances to win. 

It's free...it's fun...and anyone can play.  Anyone...anywhere.  Spread the news.

Update on Give-Away Prize

Wow, we are only 6 followers away from adding on the additional prize in the give-away!  I thought I would let you all peek at what I am offering:

These measure about 3 1/2" in length and are made of red (very nicely) pressed rubber.  You can specify whether you would like them mounted onto a static cling vinyl backing or left as is to mount yourself.  They are pretty cute if you ask me and I should humble myself a little bit more when I say that, because I was the artist that drew them.

So, if you would like to win the really cool Cricut cartridge AND this set of angel stamps....coerce all your crafty friends into coming and visiting this blog and joining me.  It makes you wonder what I might have up my sleeve after we reach 125 followers....hhhmmmm....?

Copics Tutorial Video: Blending with 2 Colors

I had a few requests to show how to blend with 2 colors using Copic markers.  I haven't had a lot of experience with this because I bought my color families in 3's so I would have a light, mid-tone and dark color for blending purposes.  But, with the price of these things running from $4-$6 each, it is understandable to want to find less expensive alternatives to using them.

I played around with the techniques I researched and gave it a whirl.  I want to apologize in advance for some choppy editing.  When I finished it I was nearly 12 minutes long and am only allowed 10 on youtube.  So, here and there I whittled away 2 minutes and it wasn't easy!  LOL...Please let me know if this is helpful and if there are any other tips or ideas you would like to see.

After the video...please come and join me at my facebook page.  Here is a quick link!

Hey Foxy...

I was quite surprised that I had to agree with all the rave reviews on the Create-a-Critter cricut cartridge.  Everywhere I looked people were using it and gushing about it to the point that after I bought it I didn't use it.  That's right.  I have had it for over a month and other than removing it from the plastic overlay, I had not even cracked it open. (I am a little bit stubborn and didn't want to seem too redundant)  Well...this cart is awesome.  Yes, the images are cute as a button, but the creative features are so easy to use.  I cut this little fox out quicker than anything...didn't even have to use much brain power (let me tell you, that is a bonus)!

Emma over at My Creative Time is having her first challenge.  She used an older cartridge for her example, but I didn't see in the rules as that was a prerequisite to enter, so am taking my chances with this little character.

Bow-chica-wow-wow

 I decided to make it for my hubby (hoping he isn't reading today) for Father's Day.  I am really dating myself with the verse, but being a child of the '70's we used to call a good looking guy (or gal) a fox.  Well, the main thing is...he will 'get it'.  And why oh why don't I ever notice things before I take pictures and edit them (such as slightly crooked ribbons)...ah well.  It's not a perfect world.

CNS Summer Vacation Challenge

Happy Saturday everyone.  You will probably see a few posts from me today, because I am in a really crafty mood.  I think some of it is because of the amazing activity over here yesterday with my new give-away.  You all are the greatest!  As you have probably heard, we hit 100 pretty fast, and so I am upping the value of the prize by adding on a cool set of un-mounted stamps from My Heart Stamps for You.  The card I am going to show in this post is from them and was designed by yours truly.  Check them out!

Nicole over at Canadian Nickel Scrap'n has a very cool Summer Vacation Challenge going on.  She is giving away a fun summer themed cricut cartridge.  Here is the card I made to enter in the challenge.

I am always inspired by the sea and collect lighthouses.  Some of the reason may be I am a Pisces, but I think the actual reason is because I was born in a little seaside town in Oregon, and grew up only 13 miles away.  Now I live in the desert area in Idaho and really miss the ocean and (believe it or not) a gray rainy day now and then.  *sigh....So anything having to do with the beach; that would be my pick for the perfect summer vacation.

I used Copic markers to color in my images.  I didn't track which ones I used for what because I was in a grab-and-see-what-happens kind of mood.

Heartstrings Needs to Hit 100!

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom where I have added some very important information!  Plus a 5th way to win this give-away!

The time has come. I have been hovering under 100 followers for a few weeks now and it is time to bring in the big guns. I decided to offer something special that will be drawn on June 20th to one lucky follower of my blog. And here it is!

Yes, that's right. The brand new (for a limited time only) Cricut Independence Day Seasonal Cartridge. I don't even have this one yet. It looks like a lot of fun and will arrive to you just in time to make fun things for July 4th.

This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. While it is designed more towards United States residents, I am not opposed to giving it away to my friends in other countries too. :)

You can win up to 4 ways:

1. (This one is required before you can be eligible for the other 3)  If you are not a follower...become a follower and leave a comment that you did. If you are already a follower (hugs) leave me a comment, "hey Shelley....I already am a follower!" and you are entered. (1 comment, 1 chance)
2. If you make a post at your blog about this giveaway...and leave a comment here that you did...you are entered 2 times! (2 comments, 2 chances)
3. If you post this giveaway button on your blog, leave another comment that you did and you are entered 3 times! WOW! (3 comments, 3 chances)
4. After you have done either 1,2, or 3...If you own or frequent a crafting fan page on Facebook or any other social networking site and leave a post there about this giveaway with a link back to me...you are entered 4 times! (be sure the fan page is ok with outside links...some are sensitive about taking traffic away from them. I don't want to make anyone mad at us!) And once again, come and leave me comment here at this post that you did. (4 comments, 4 chances)
5. One more just added!  Join me at my new facebook fan page for another chance to win!  Be sure to leave a comment that you did. (5 comments, 5 chances to win) ~~Click on the widget to the left to be directed to the page.

All the individual comments are important.  Like little individual lottery tickets. ;)

Important Reminder....leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you if you win!!!

Insert Fireworks Display! :) oooooo....ahhhhhhhh

Whew...that's a lot of work. But, it's worth it. :) And since this isn't one of those heavy traffic sites...your odds of winning are pretty good!)

Here is the button I would be honored to have you add to your blog. 

Insert the code below into your side bar and it should do all the linking for you.

<a href="http://heartstring-designs.blogspot.com/2010/06/heartstrings-needs-to-hit-100.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l256/shelldian/giveawaybutton.jpg" /></a>

disclaimer: If by some chance I have not reached 100 followers by June 20th...we will give the cartridge away anyway. At least we tried....right?

Wow!  Who knew we could reach 100 in the first afternoon?!  You are all so awesome.  I am still going to run this giveaway through June 20th, but since the response has been so huge....I am sweetening the pot!  Now...if we reach 125 followers, I will add in some unmounted stamps from our Design Team sponsor, My Heart Stamps for You.  And....you guessed it...as the numbers keep climbing so will the Prize!

Well, now we have a new goal!  Another prize is added to the pile should we reach 150 followers by June 20th!  This is becoming a sensational giveaway!

I was astounded to log onto my blog today and discover we actually made the 150 followers goal.  Holy Snap!  (as my son always says)  To make this give-away even more awesome, I am adding to this amazing deal an entirely 2nd giveaway should we reach 200 followers by June 20th.  So, out of the many that have already entered, you now could potentially be in the running for 2 great prizes.  And for those that still want to participate, you have plenty of time.  Why am I being a crazy woman and providing all these amazing prizes?  Well, because I am a little crazy, but mostly because I really appreciate all of you and think you are all the bomb for helping to promote this site!  So....50 more followers in 10 days...can we do it?

When we hit 200 followers...someone is going to win this!

 

Paper Rose Tutorial

Hello everyone! I showed these flowers on my blog way back in the beginning, but I thought since I was getting brave enough to do videos, I would give it another shot. I think you will see they are really rather easy to make. If you want to make more than one, I suggest doing it assembly line style. It makes the steps a lot easier to get through, and by the time you finish each step you are going to feel like a pro at it.

I also am selling these flowers in sets over on my Etsy Store, Stringing Hearts. (for those that really want them but don't want to make them) Oh, and I have free shipping! woohoo. Gotta love that!

Design Team News

I made the final decisions on who will be on my DT and believe me, it wasn't easy.  I wanted to pick everyone!  I was overwhelmed with many talented and wonderful bloggers..but had to narrow it down to 5.  Then when that became impossible, I narrowed it down to 6!  I do want those that didn't make it this time to know that I hope there will be a next time and along the way, we hope to have some challenges and give-aways that can benefit everyone.  But, without further ado...here are my new DT members.

Anne

Beth

Gaby

Madison

Mariam

Pam

Thank you everyone who participated and we hope you will continue to follow us here at Heartstrings.

Shelley

Copics Video...Coloring Hair

I thought I would do a continuation on the same image I demonstrated coloring flesh tones.  I want to apologize for the angle of the video.  For the life of me, I couldn't set up my camera to run a straight on view of my workspace that would work in this video.  If there is a way to actually flip a video around, I haven't learned it.  But in the meantime, I hope this will further demonstrate a few tips and techniques I discovered while working with these amazing pens.


I do not claim to be a pro at these things.  In fact, I am merely a novice.  I may in fact be leading you astray on correct techniques and procedures.  But, I do like the effects I have been achieving and wanted to share what I have learned and hopefully, a few people who have invested the money in these pens (yes, they are costly) will dig them out and give them another try.  They are so worth it!

Father's Day Challenge at MPS

I wanted to get my submission in for the Father's Day Challenge at My Pink Stamper.  This idea came to me last night and it probably needs some explaining...because it is one of those back-story kind of cards that would be a private joke between my dad and I but probably seem a little lame to anyone else.

When I was a little girl, my dad collected those old 78 rpm records from flea markets and auctions.  We always had these stacks of them around the house and I would sometimes listen to them on my little disco record player. (yeah...I know..)  There were a couple of them that were children themed and he would let me use them all I wanted.  One in particular was made by Danny Kaye and his daughter Dena Kaye in 1955.  (Yes, before my time) If you are interested, I found a recording of it here.  Anyhoo.....One of my happy memories with my dad is singing.  We always sang in the car on road trips, while gardening...where ever!  And my dad being the teaser he was, whenever I would sing the opening line in the afore mentioned song, "Daddy Dear, Daddy Dear...is the world really round?"  He would state flatly, "No.  It's flat!"  My dad is now 76 years old, and when I see him...he will still say the very same thing!  So, I decided it was finally time to give him a special Father's Day card this year:

The inside of the card, of course, reads:  "NO, it's flat!"  I think he will get a kick out of the memory.  Happy Father's Day my Daddy Dear. :)

I used Design Studio and Makin' the Grade Cricut font cartridge and Give a Hoot for the image cut.  I also decided to keep the card very, very simple...because this card was more about the message than the design.

Give-Away Winner and First Video Offering

Good morning!

Before I announce the winner of my give-away, I wanted to share with you my first ever video attempt.  I have to tell you, this was no easy feat.  Any of you that have made these tutorials probably know what I am talking about.  I hope though, you find some use out of it, and hopefully I will get better and have content that you will find helpful.  For now though...here we go!

And, last but not least..... 

I am happy to announce the winner of my 1st give-away.  Using random.org the following was selected to win my card set and handmade flowers:

1disney_scrapper said...

Shelley~I am glad I found your blog! I love making the paper flowers!! Thanks for a chance to win your notecards and flowers!!
HeartAMZ1@aol.com
Debbie Chapman

Congratulations, Debbie!  Please email me your address, so I can send your prize out to you.