Last Day Samples

I know this the last day to purchase May 2012's Stamp of the Month "Friendship Bouquet", but I like these samples and I'd hate to think I let another opportunity to share go by.  The flowers in these samples can be changed out with any flower and leaf (although I think these look especially good).

May Stamp of the Month Samples

The top card measures 3" x 4.75" and can be found in Originals on page 29.  I've rotated the Right Spotlight pattern 90 degrees clockwise.  The strip of paper is from the Stella paper packet.  The base color is Olive green and the focal mat is Brown Bag under Colonial White.  The background of the Olive paper is from directly rubbing the Olive stamp pad against the paper.  I looks even better in person!

I've colored both flowers with colored pencil and then went back in with a wet paintbrush to blend the colors.  The hat's flower was stamped using the Brown Stazon Ink Pad.  I was afraid our Chocolate water based ink would bleed with the water.  The top flower is stamped with Chocolate -- the leaves are stamped in Garden Green.  I must have waited long enough for the Chocolate and Garden Green ink to thoroughly dry (and not used a lot of water) because neither bled.  I didn't have to throw away a flower! :)

The hat is 3" x 8" and come from an old pattern I have.  The band is the other side of the Stella paper used in the top card.  The grid for the hat was accomplished by using my Martha Stewart Scoring board with the envelope maker piece fitted in.  The envelope maker allows for 45 degree angles to be scored.  The first direction was easy because the paper fit up against the envelope maker piece.  The second direction was a little more challenging because I couldn't figure out a way to fit my paper against the maker without repeating the same lines or flipping the paper over (and I couldn't do that or the score lines would be opposite the first set -- going down instead of up).

In the end, I  flipped the card over with the writing part dangling above. The fold of the card rested against the envelope maker.  Then I scored every 1/2" just like I did in the first direction.

The last things done to the card was sanding the lines and then direct to paper the edges of the card with Brown Bag ink (on the Brown Bag cardstock).  :)

A Generous Award

My good girlfriend, Heather Plotzke, has been gracious enough to nominate me for the Liebster Blog Award, an award for inspirational blogging.

The origins of the Liebster Blog Award are somewhat unclear to us but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany, Liebster, meaning "favorite" or "dearest", to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Upon receiving this award, the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of note.

My concern is that I don't feel comfortable receiving this award, nor passing it along.  I do have blogs bookmarked, but they aren't small blogs.  I will turn you around to Heather's blog: Heatherplotzke.blogspot.com and you will find some inspiration as well as good information there. The reason why I shouldn't receive the award is that I don't spend enough time here.  My intentions are great, but I haven't been able to update it as often as I'd like -- darn life!  I am working on it though.

So, thank you, Heather, for the vote and nomination.  Love you!

A Better Picture

Sorry about the poor picture quality for my next workshop.  I wouldn't want to come if the colors were that orangy-yellow!

Here is a much better picture.

You'll make what you see -- 4 cards (with 4 envelopes, not just one), and a card holder.  The cards are 4"x4" and are cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Workshop nights are Monday May 21st and Tuesday May 29, both from 7 to 9pm at my house.  The cost is $12 and includes what you see and a pack of bitty pearl opaques.  If you'd like to make more than one set, each additional set will be $10 and not include the bitty pearl opaques (because you'll have plenty left over).  Please email me at dskdots@san.rr.com with which night and how many kits you'd like by SUNDAY May 13th.  If you can't come either night, I'm happy to put together a kit for you.

May 2012 Workshop

I have to change the Tuesday night workshop date.  Since  the newsletter came out, I learned that I will be unavailable on the 22nd to host a workshop.  I have moved my Tuesday workshop back a week to May 29th.  I'm sorry for any inconvenience.  We are still on for Monday May 21st.

Also, there should have been a picture of the workshop in the newsletter.  I'm not really sure what happened, but since you came here you not only get the update, but you get the pictures.  :)

May's workshop featuring Florentine Paper

The workshop sign-up deadline is Friday May 11th.  If you'd like more than one kit, please let me know when you sign up.  The workshop will include the four 4"x4" cards with the paper box, 4 envelopes, and a packet of bitty opaques.  The cost is $12 for the workshop.  If you'd like additional kits, they will be $10 each and will not include the opaques. Please email me at dskdots@san.rr.com to tell me which day you'll be coming and how many additional kits you'd like.

May Stamp of the Month

Another wonderful stamp set!  This month's stamp of the month celebrates the Sunflower.  The samples pictured show all of the images within this 8 stamp set, so you can see how wonderful it is.

This set certainly brightens my day.  And it can be yours during the month of May 2012.  You can buy it for $17.95 if that's the only thing you want from the Idea Book.  But I'm sure if you look a little closer, you'll find more awesome items to buy to bring down the cost of the stamp of the month to $5.  Go ahead and shop online at dsdoodles.ctmh.com or you can email me at dskdots@san.rr.com.