My Newest LOVE!

Ok, you wanna hear a secret about me? Well, if not, stop reading now because here I go!!!!

I become easily obsessed over simple things!

Yes, its true. If you show me something and I think its cool, or interesting I will go on a shopping spree and end up breaking the bank in my new quest of owning EVERYTHING!

Well, my new "quest" is lunch boxes! But, not just any lunch boxes. My new love, if you will, is all in one boxes. 

But, don't worry, I am still WAY into stamping!

If you are interested in seeing what I am now into I added some links to the bottom of the blog. Just a warning though: I am not endorsing any type of lunch box or seller. And, the list is not in any certain type of order. But, my all time favorite is the LunchSense.

Check back tomorrow for the color challenge!!!!

Blog Searching

This morning I was blog surfing (instead of cleaning, or spending time with Chris), and I came across an idea. The idea was to list a bunch of things that you want to do in your life time, or have already done. Then, highlight or underline those things as you accomplish them. Now, you may be asking your self.... "How is this stamp related?". My idea, take your camera with you and use the list as a starter/title for a scrapbook. Think about it.... family vacations, the sites you may see, the people you may meet. The possibilities are endless.

So, here is mine:

1. Swim with wild dolphins
2. Climb a mountain
3. Take a Ferrari for a test drive
4. Go inside the Great Pyramid
5. Taken a candlelit bath with someone 
6. Said “I love you” and meant it
7. Hugged a tree
8. Bungee jumped
9. Visited Paris (not in California)
10. Watched a lightning storm at sea
11. Seen the Northern Lights
12. Gone to a huge sports game
13. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
14. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
15. Touched an iceberg
16. Slept under the stars
17. Changed a baby's diaper
18. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
19. Watched a meteor shower (with Wally and Alex a couple of years ago in our front yard)
20. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
21. Seen a total eclipse
22. Ridden a roller coaster
23. Danced like a fool and didn’t care who was looking (I don't know any other way to dance)
24. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
25. Visited all 50 states in the US
26. Watched whales 
27. Backpacked through Europe
28. Taken a road-trip
29. Midnight walk on the beach
30. Visit Ireland
31. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
32. Visit Japan
33. Milk a cow
34. Pretended to be a superhero
35. Sung karaoke
36. Lounged around in bed all day
37. Gone scuba diving
38. Kissed in the rain
39. Played in the mud
40. Played in the rain
41. Gone to a drive-in theater
42. Visit the Great Wall of China
43. Start a business
44. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
45. Toured ancient sites 
46. Gotten married
47. Gone without food for 5 days (it was actually 7 and I wouldn't want to do it again)
48. Made cookies from scratch
49. Ridden a gondola in Venice
50. Get a tattoo
51. White Water Raft the Grand Cayon
52. Gotten flowers for no reason (on Wally's Birthday- he got me flowers)
53. Go to Las Vegas
54. Kissed on the first date
55. Go to Thailand
56. Go on a cruise 
57. Spoken more than one language fluently
58. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country (even Hawaii would count)
59. Go to San Francisco
60. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
61. Written articles for a large publication 
62. Lose over 100 pounds
63. Touch a stingray
64. Helped an animal give birth (my little Hanna Bell and her 3 puppies)
65. Broken a bone
66. Gone on an African photo safari
67. Ridden a horse (but I would do it again in a heart beat)
68. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
69. Visited all 7 continents
70. Take a white water trip that lasts more than 2 days
71. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about 
72. Gone back to school
73. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read them
74. Skipped all your school reunions
75. Had a booth at a street fair
76. Go back to my normal hair color and stay there
77. Saved someone’s life 

So, there's mine. What does yours look like?

Blog Candy

This weeks winner will receive this very cute Valentines Day basket. Of course, I am going to fill it full of goodies (after all I can not send someone an empty basket).

Here are some of the items that you will receive with your Valentines Day basket:

For your chance to win, leave me a comment on any of the posts on this site between today and Thursday, February 12th.

After next weeks drawing I will be posting directions on how to make these baskets. These are great to use for any type of occassion simply by changing color combinations and decorative elements.

Good luck to every one!

P.S. Sorry my pictures are blurry. For some reason my camera was not being good today.

New Classes Added!

I have just added three new classes to this months calendar. I will add pictures of the events in the next few days but for now here is what I am offering:

Progressive Scrapbook Class: This is not the page we will be making at out class but just an example of what kind of pages this technique can create.

• February 20th: Progressive Scrapbook Class (4pm to 7pm)- Come and learn how to turn a 6x6 page into an 8 1/2x11 and 12x12 page. Class cost is $10.00. For more information or to join in the fun please contact me at ana4stampin@gmail.com
• February 26th (my birthday): Stamp A Stack (4pm to 7pm) - Help me celebrate my birthday by making 8 birthday cards (2 each of 4 designs) that you can use this coming year. Class cost is $15.00. For more information or to join in the fun please contact me at ana4stampin@aol.com
• February 27th: Altered Scrapbook Class (4pm to 7pm) - Transform plain paper bags into a treasured album that is great for your photos and keepsakes.

Next month we will be having another Stamp A Stack class, a class to make a Circle Flip-up Album, and a Easter Scrapbook Class. 

Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment so that you can enter this weeks Blog Candy give-away. So far there is only 2 entries!

ARRRG!

I was in the middle of finishing the 31 cards I needed to make for yesterdays challenge, and also the one scrap book page that was inspired by the cards when I ran out of tape!!!!

I have ordered more tape refills but it will take them a couple of days to arrive. So, until then I will have to just wait. But, I do promise that I have made a couple of things for yesterdays challenge and will post them all once I get the tape in.

Check back in a bit if you want to check out todays challenge!

Waiting in California (for tape that is...),

Ana

Today's Challenge: Straight From Me!

Today's challenge comes straight from me. I decided to host my own challenge today mainly because I didn't like the other challenges that I seen on other sites. (hee-hee)

So here's the challenge:

1. You must make a Valentines Day project. (This can be a card, page, pouch.... it's up to you!)

2. You must use a stamp, and at least one punch.

3. You must use a brayer (if you do not have a brayer you can use a sponge)

4. You must have a least 4 layers.

5. You must use a brown color, a red color and a white color.

All the rest is up to you. You can use any other colors in your project as long as it contains brown, red and white.

I am going to use this challenge to help make Chris's Friendship cards for Valentines day. I will post pictures after they are done!

Have a great day crafting!

WT202 Challenge: Pizzazz it Up!

Todays challenge comes straight from SCS. (I told you that this was one of my favorite sites!) Here are the rules:

If you're like me you love patterned paper. The more the better and those new glittered, flocked, or die-cut papers....well, I have a serious addiction. The problem is...they really lighten my wallet! I thought it would be fun to design a challenge around adding your own pizzazz to existing patterned paper. The challenge: Ways to Alter Patterned Paper. Make it special. You may want to glitter, emboss, heat emboss, flock, die-cut...whatever you can think of, some patterned paper that you have on hand to make it extra special. Just like that fancy specialty paper that carries the big $2-$3 price tag. Have fun! And in this economy...saving money always a plus! Just in case there is any question...you MUST use patterned paper to start and then customize it.

If you are interested in checking out what others have made please click here.

And, if you have taken on this challenge, then please send me a copy of, or a link to, your picture. I would love to see what you have done.

I am off to create now!

Happy Thursday,

Ana

Card Heart Card

This card is for Challenge #3 from Late Night Stampers. I actually had enough time to finish it before I went to work so I am able to post it much earlier than I thought I would be able too.

I use the Love You Much bundle with Ruby Red, Real Red and Whisper White Cardstock. I only used Real Red Classic Ink.

I am going to make about 50 of these for my kids to take to school on Valentines Day. So, this challenge gave me what I needed to get started.

Hope you like it!:

Sundays Challenge

SCS does not offer challenges on Sunday so I had to get this challenge straight from Late Night Stampers. So, are you ready to play? If so, here is the challenge:

In honor of Valentine's day...we challenge you to make a HEART shaped CARD, that MUST INCLUDE some form of CANDY!!!

 

It doesn't matter what color, size, etc--it just has to be heart shaped, with candy!!!  And of course, all materials must be current Stampin' Up! only (except for the candy, of course - hehe) 

I wont be able to get to this challenge, or any others until Thursday. But, if decide to take on this challenge please feel free to send me a link to your picture.

Also, today I am adding a link to all the other challenges that I have posted so far to the SCS albums that show case the projects all ready submitted! Take a look!!!

My Challenge Results: SC211 and LSC202

I have been really behind on challenges lately. I was planning on getting caught up yesterday but I am still not feeling well, and yesterday was just a bad day.

I made this card using just a few supplies. I used Real Red, Whisper White and Ruby Red cardstock, Real Red Classic Ink, and the Love You Much Bundle Kit.

I am still behind by one old challenge and one new challenge (that I will post in a minute or two). As soon as I get those done I will post them with the recipe. I will also post two new challenges at the end of this week. One on Thursday and one on Friday.

Please feel free to play along, and if you do, please send me a link to your post!

Wednesday's Challenge: SC211

Wednesday's Challenge is to use this sketch as a guide to making a card.

I always LOVE sketch challenges. They open my eyes to new layouts which usually suprise me.

I'm posting this layout early so tomorrow morning (Wednesday) I will take on this challenge and hopefully the last two. Check back tomorrow evening to see what I have come up with!!!!!

To see more cards that use this sketch please click here!

CC201: Not Quite Sage

Tuesday Challenge is to use the colors:

• Not Quite Navy
• Craft or Creamy Caramel
• Sage Shadow

You can use these colors in any type of project... scrapbook, card, 3-D. 

I will take on these challenge (and last weeks) tomorrow. Plus, I will also try to take on tomorrows challenge. (Maybe I will try to role them all into one!)

If you take on this challenge please send me a link to your posting. I'd love to see it!

To see other projects made using this guidelines please click here!

I'm a little behind on challenges right now. But, I really have a good reason why.... Really!

My son, Alex, is starting a Science Fair project. We have been busy the last week trying to come up with a good topic, and writing up a proposal for his science teacher.

Alex and I started a blog for his project today. You can visit it by clicking here. He will be updating the site as his project progresses (about once a week once he gets the ok).

I promise to be back tomorrow with some finished projects and two more challenges!

Ana

1/9/09: LSC202

Today's challenge is to use hearts, but this is a limited supply challenge so don't go crazy with your design. Here are the rules: 

Here is your challenge...to use a heart...any heart!

*Stamps: Any (bonus points for using a heart image!)
*Paper: any + red...any shade of red
*if you use a punch or die it must be heart shaped
*if you use embossing folders...they must have a heart
*if you use an accessory it MUST be heart shaped or red
*if you use designer paper...yup you guessed it, red or hearts!

I hope you enjoy the challenge, I had a lot of fun with it!

I will post my complete project later on today. And, like always, if you choose to play along please send me a link to your project!

To see more projects from this challenge, please click here!

Mousies Card

I completed the challenge yesterday but was unable to post until today. I made this card off of the Mousies cake at Cake Nouveau. The card was made for my brother-in-law who just celebrated his 60th birthday!

The hardest part of making this card was punching all the holes. Use different size hole punches and you have instant cheese. I did use a retired stamp set. The bigs holes were sponged after they were punched with a dark shade of yellow (Yo Yo Yellow sponged on So Saffron). If you need or want better instructions, please let me know!

There are no challenges today. Sorry! I will be back on Friday with a whole new challenge.

Until then,

Today's Challenge: IC161

Todays challenge is to make a card, or scrapbook page, using the inspiration that you get from his website: www.cakenouveau.com

You do not have to recreate the cake just take inspiration from the colors and/or theme.

I am choosing to use Mousies off of page 4. I will post my card a little later today after its done.

Like always, if you choose to play along please send me a link to your card or page. I would love to see it.

To see cards from this challenge please click here...

SBVC57 Projects

I ended up making 3 scrapbook pages for this challenge. I finished the 3rd project this morning. Before making the pages I decided to use old pictures of my grandmother. I was kind of nervous using pink and red with the black and white photos, but I really love how the pages turned out.

I will post a basic recipe for the 3 pages at the end of the pictures. I ended up using some non-SU! products to complete the pages (ie: straight pins, buttons, large pink eyelets and rick-a-rack).

I hope you enjoy the projects below:

Recipe:

Wild Rose Stamp Set

Real Red Hostess Designer Series Paper

Close to Cocoa Designer Series Paper

Pretty in Pink Cardstock

Real Red Cardstock

Close to Cocoa Cardstock

Pretty in Pink Classic Ink

Real Red Classic Ink

Old Olive Classic Ink

Stampin Glitter Chunky Sprinkles

Rhinestone Brads Fire Circles

Todays Challenge: SBVC57

Here is todays challenge information. I decided to choose a scrapbook page instead of a card this week. This challenge is a little different and that's why I am posting exactly what SCS said.

**********

SBVC57...Party Time...12.31.08


Good morning scrappers and Happy New Years! While growing up, we didn't celebrate New Years, we had birthday parties. My paternal Grandfather's birthday was December 31st and maternal Grandmother's birthday was January 1st.


One last "Using our stash" challenge - We are going to revisit the recipe challenge I did 2 years ago for Halloween, except you are going to choose a cake instead of a full menu. After you've chosen your dessert, I'll PM you with your recipe. You must use the items listed (they aren't manufacture related, nor are they hard, so don't be scared away) You can add any "spices" (aka other items) to your layout. Feel free to do this challenge more than once as each recipe will be very different.


Dessert menu:

Angel Food Cake (ingredients: white cardstock, ribbon, a circle, handwritten journaling, flowers, and bling)

Carrot Cake (ingredients: orange, vanilla, sanding, stars, harware and buttons)

Cheesecake (ingredients: white and brown, felt, stampin, cut work, buttons and bling)

Chocolate Cake (ingredients: brown cardstock, swirls/flourishes, doodling, brads, chipboard and a quote)

Fruit Cake (ingredients: black background, stamping, hardware, buttons, chipboard, and the use of a punch)

Rainbow Chip Cake (ingredients: printed paper with rainbow colors, flowers, stitching, rub-ons, and ribbon)

Sponge Cake (ingredients: yellow, inking, flowers, stamping, ribbon, paper piercing)

Strawberry Shortcake (recipe below)

*********

So, I picked Strawberry Shortcake (mainly because I love strawberries and I thought I would like the colors). My ingredients are:

Pink

Red

Hardware

Inking

Bling

Ribbon

I am now off to create. And, as always, please feel free to join in. If you do, please send me a link to your project.

Here is a link to see other cards made for this challenge.

New Years Greetings,

Ana

Sizzix vs. Others

I just received a posting from a fellow SU! demonstrator on the differences between the Sizzix/Big Shot, Cricut, Xyron and the Cuttlebug machines. I thought that this might be helpful to more people than myself so I am posting it to this blog.... Thanks June!:

The original Sizzix is similiar to the Big Shot in that it is a plain die cut machine. It's bulky and can only use dies made for the Sizzix. Our machine (Big Shot) is a roller machine. The original Sizzix is a crank thru.

 

The Cricut is a fancy typewriter. It's a bit like a word processor. You get a cartridge and a rubber mat that fits on the keyboard area. You type in the word, words or image that you want and select the size. Then you set the machine to cut. It cuts the letters you want in any size from 1/4 inch to 5 inches. Some cartridges have larger and smaller sizes. Cartridges cost about $100 each.

 

The Xyron is a sticker making machine. You can make any die cut, stamped image, picture, ribbon, or basically anything flat into a sticker. I have a small size that can use images about 1 inch wide and a medium sized machine that goes up to 3 1/2 inches wide. It's great when making large batches of card candy. Refills are available in temporary or permanent adhesive.

 

The Cuttlebug is a roller die cut and embossing machine. It's claim to fame is that you can use any die cut made for any of the other machines out there. You could also emboss paper with it and die cut the same paper in the same machine.

 

The Big Shot is similiar to the Cuttlebug but it is wider and can use the wider dies designed to make baskets and pennants. You can use any of the dies from other machines in it as well. Besides being wider, the other cool feature is that the adjustable cutting mat also has the sandwich lists on it. Basically, you don't have to go running to look for a sheet of paper anytime you want to cut something with another brand of die. Everything is right at your hand.

 

Cuttlebug and Big Shot are approx the same cost

CC199: A Light Unto My Path

 This is my creation for todays SCS challenge. I really like how this card turned out. I was really nervous about the colors but I really like the rich look of the finished project.

Card Recipe:

A Light Unto My Path

Whisper White Cardstock

Bravo Burgundy Cardstock

Handsome Hunter Cardstock

So Saffron Cardstock

Not Quite Navy Watercolor Crayon

Bravo Burgundy Watercolor Crayon

Handsome Hunter Watercolor Crayon

So Saffron Watercolor Crayon

Rich Regal Colored Buttons

Linen Thread

(Retired) Wine Ribbon

Ticket Corner Punch

SNAIL Adhesive

Mini Glue Dots

Blender Pens

Now, this card took a little more time to do then some of my other recent projects. I'm not going to fib to you about this, but I still think this is a card that a beginner can do. Of course, that beginner will need a few items in his/her stamp room.... Hey, but shopping for new, fun items to play with is half the fun.

Now its your turn. Show me your challenge projects!