More is More

Remember that Clean Sweep I started awhile back?  Well it’s finally time to get that box of stamp sets out of my living room and in the mail to you!  Please take a look at what I have for sale and e-mail me [email protected]) if you’d like to purchase anything.

Important Information:

–I will only ship Priority Mail. Usually 1 small set will fit in a Flat Rate envelope for $4.80. Otherwise, the next best rate will most likely be $9.50 for a Flat Rate box.  If you live locally and want to come by to pick up your purchase, let me know.

–I will only accept PayPal for payment. I apologize to those of you without a PayPal account, but I just don’t have time to wait for checks and run to the bank, etc.

–When you email me, please include your full name, the sets you are interested in, and the email address where you would like me to send a PayPal invoice. Once I figure shipping costs, I will send you an invoice through PayPal.

All sets are mounted, very gently used or never used and in excellent condition unless otherwise noted.

All sets are mounted, very gently used or never used and in excellent condition unless otherwise noted.

Let’s Party – $4 SOLD
Wishing You the Best $4 (slight staining on 2 blocks)
The Fine Print $4
Reverse Prints $5 SOLD
Fresh Flowers $5 (some staining on a few blocks)
Blooming With Happiness $6 SOLD
The Art of Life $6 SOLD
Mini Messages $6 SOLD
Sparkling Season $7
Simply Spring $7
Loving Hearts + matching wheel $8 (staining on several blocks)
French Flair Background $8 SOLD
Well Worn Words Background $8 SOLD
Pindot Plaid Background $6
Watercolor Garden $8 (some staining on several blocks)
Polka Dots & Petals $8 (+ free bonus sample card) SOLD
Polka Dots & Paisley $9 (+ free bonus sample card)
Infinite Goodness $12
Brushstroke Double Alpha $15 SOLD

Wild Rose $20 (+ free bonus 2 sample cards) SOLD
What Could Be Better – new unmounted – $9

The following are older more rare sets. I can provide photos of any of these if needed.
Little Shapes $3
Gifted Greetings $4
Bold & Bright $4 SCS gallery
Rose Rhapsody $7 SCS gallery
Victorian Frame $9
Shapes & Shadows $8

Ink Pad – SU Rose Romance Classic ink – NEW still in plastic – $2 SOLD
Ink Pad – SU Forest Foliage Craft Ink – NEW still in plastic – $2 SOLD

FOR TRADE – Heartfelt Thanks (mounted barely ever used)- will trade for used Fun & Fast Notes or All Scallops or new Only Ovals – each pays own shipping.

Thanks for looking. 
 

Warning:

the following is a rambling NSR post ’cause sometimes I just have stuff to say.

I love going to tea and have for many years.  It’s not the tea I love (although it’s nice enough) it’s the experience.  Sitting in a beautiful tea room and being served pretty and tasty food in dainty morsels that still fills you up…and most importantly relaxing with friends.  I hadn’t been to tea in about a year, until this past week when I got to go twice.  How cool is that?

Last Sunday I went to Vintage Tea Leaf with PACT (my women’s prayer group).  Each year we get together to go to tea to celebrate all of our birthdays.  We each buy a special birthday gift for one other member of the group.

Vintage Tea Leaf is my all-time favorite tea room.  It has mostly traditional English Victorian style and one of my favorite things is the large selection of beautiful china teacups where Beverly invites you to choose one to sip from for the afternoon.  We had yummy moist scones and a wide variety of tea sandwiches along with three different pots of tea.

Vintage Tea Leaf is located in Long Beach and the tea we selected – 2 scones and your choice of 4 pair of tea sandwiches along with unlimited pots of tea – was $20 an average fair price.

Then on Friday I was asked to go to tea with two girlfriends I hadn’t seen much of in awhile.  We decided to try a fairly new tea room called Paris in a Cup. It has a Parisian Salon feel and the decor is absolutely beautiful!  Their menu is just slightly more varied than most tea rooms and includes coffees along with the hot and iced tea choices.

The scones were small, but wonderful.  They had vanilla cream and orange chocolate scones the day we were there.  Those of you who know me, know my ban on chocolate touching or being mixed with fruit so I requested two vanilla and they accomodated me.  Kim and Judy said the orange chocolate was quite yummy and I looked the other way.

Paris in a Cup is a tea room I will definitely go back to.  It is located in Old Towne Orange amongst all the boutiques and antiques shops and is a little more expensive than VTL.  We choose to have scones, tea sandwiches (we were served 3 as opposed to the 8 at VTL), a small cup of soup, and cookies (the cookies were the only disappointing part) for $23.  Although it doesn’t sound like a lot of food we were all quite full when we finished.

After tea we walked around and shopped a bit and I purchased a vintage tea towel in the colors I hope to re-do my kitchen in.  It will be a great inspiration piece.  As if all of this didn’t make for a nice enough day, I returned home to see flowers left on my front porch with a very sweet note from an out-of-state friend.

Another one of the lilys has opened up since I took this photo.  I was just blown away by this thoughtfulness.

While at tea on Friday talk turned to shoes (and afterall what would a tea be without some discussion of shoes or fashion).  My friend Judy was telling us about some red shoes she had found at an awesome discount store.  Well, wouldn’t you know that I have been looking for red shoes and what she described sounded perfect.   Today Curt and I needed to go to Costco and I talked him into taking me to find this shoe store first.  It was a HUGE store and I think Curt started to quake in his boots when we walked in the door.  It was the kind of store I could spend all day in.  I promised to hurry and he was such a trooper.  He went down every aisle with me to help me scout out what I was looking for.  I never did find the shoes Judy told me about, but no worries, I ended up with super cute red shoes just the same.

Check out these adorable low healed red sandals by Guess!  There’s just nothing better than a pair of new red shoes!  Oh and in the background is the vintage tea towel I mentioned earlier – so pretty!  I’m excited because I got a new Liz & Co. skirt and top outfit about a week ago and I even bought jewelry to match.  Now I have the shoes.  I can’t remember the last time I had a whole new outfit including jewelry and shoes.  I’ll be stylin’ for church tomorrow – not that that’s what it’s all about, but it doesn’t hurt!  LOL!  I’ve been missing my best friend Ruth (she lives in WA now).  No one shops like Ruth!  Since she moved (oh and since I’ve put on weight) I just have a harder time pulling together whole outfits with all the accessories.  So Ruth…know that I bought these shoes with you in mind.

For anyone still reading – thanks for indulging my ramblings and I hope you’ll make reservations to go to tea with some girl friends really soon!  Don’t forget tomorrow (Sunday) is the last day of new challenges being posted for DTGD.  Then you’ll have another week or two toplay and catch up.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jami

I just got my Demo Sneak Peek Pre-order and I had to stop everything and make myself a color chart for the brand new In Colors.  Since I took the time to do it I thought I might as well take a few more minutes to share it here with y’all.

 Click the thumbnail to see it much larger.

On the left are the ink colors stamped out onto Whisper White cardstock.  Next to that are smaller images of other ink colors for comparison.  On the right the large scallop circles are the cardstocks and just to the left of them are some of the other cardstocks punched out as smaller circles for comparison.  Obviously scanning it only gives you an idea – but at least you can see some of the colors side by side if you don’t have them yet.  On my screen the cardstock colors are reading a little darker than they are IRL.

My initial thoughts (knowing that new things usually have to grow on me):

Kiwi Kiss – Kind of a lighter version of Olive – prettier than I expected from photos I had seen.

Tangerine Tango – I’m not an orange person at all, but this is a nice color with a feeling of depth to it. The ink is pretty similar to Pumpkin Pie, but there is more of a difference in the cardstock.

Riding Hood Red – I definitley AM a red person and have been looking forward to this color.  I’m very surprised at how similar it is to Ruby Red (especially the ink – more of a difference with the cardstock).  To me it seems just a tad less orange though and so I do like it better.  I see it as a *barn red* which is the color I’ve been wanting to paint my kitchen.

Pink Piroutte – a true soft baby pink – more different from Pretty in Pink than I thought from previous photos.  The ink seems really light, but the cardstock is grogeous and will be one of my new faves I think.

Baja Breeze – I’m also not a blue person.  This is a grayish blue – closest to Bordering Blue, but more blue and less gray.  I’m sure I’ll like it more when I see some beautiful cards made with it, but for now it’s my least favorite.

Pacific Point – I’m actually surprised how much I like this color.  It’s very vivid, but not obnoxious like Brilliant Blue.  It has a richness to it.  It seems closest to Not Quite Navy which is one of my favorite blues.

So tell me – which of the new colors is you favorite?  I’m really going to miss Purely Pomegranate and River Rock, but I guess I need to start playing with Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette and see where they take me.

If you’re having trouble deciding which new In Colors to get or if you have limited funds and need to be selective here’s what I would recommend – buy a sampler pack or two of the cardstock to start and buy the ink pads in Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point (if you like blue then add in Baja Breeze).  For the other three colors you could start off trying to use the inks in Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red and Pretty in Pink and see if you are happy with them being *close enough* or not.  I’d love to hear what you think.

I’m off to finish getting ready for my class tonight.  I kind of threw myself off schedule…time to play catch up.  Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. be sure to check out Mary Jo’s blog (linked in my last post – she’s one of the Cupcake Crew) for some awesome ideas on using the brand new SU scallop edge punch!

I’m finally back to share some pics from the wedding on Saturday.  Curt pulled the Model T in the backyard that morning and we decorated it with white tulle, ribbon and silk flowers.  He did an awesome job helping me.  I made a big “Just Married” sign, but unfortunately didn’t get any good pictures of it.

It was already 90 degrees in the shade that morning and it was over 100 at the outdoor reception after the wedding…but everyone was so happy for Donovan and Heather that it just didn’t matter.  Everyone was so crowded around the car as Curt drove off with them I had a hard time getting any good shots…

For their wedding gift we decided to go with something non-traditional since they plan to eventually be overseas missionaries and didn’t want a lot of fancy stuff.  We got them gift certificates to two of our favorite restaurants.  I picked up menus too.  The dilemma then became how to wrap them.  I ended up making a folio out of 12×12 cardstock.  I had been told the wedding colors were turquoise and navy so that’s the color scheme I used.  There must have been a miscommunication somewhere because the wedding was actually teal rather than turquoise, but the gift turned out cute I thought – especially considering I made the folio and card about an hour before I had to be at the church.

I wrapped the folio in some tulle (left over from the car) and then made a simple little 3×3 card to attach.

And now it’s time for an ENABLER ALERT!  There’s just so much news to share!

First – be sure to head over to Taylored Expressions to see Taylor’s newest kit offering.  It’s so stinkin’ adorable!  I had the opportunity to see the cards in person and they are even cuter IRL!

Second – Have you seen Kittie’s new line of Rubbernecker stamps called “Cause a Scene”?  They are so cool and I am so happy for Kittie and this wonderful accomplishment.  Check out the details on her blog!  You too can make Kittie Cards now!

Third – I got this news from Debbie Olson’s blog – so you’ve all probably seen it already – just in case you haven’t been over there yet I thought you’d want to know about the big Inque Boutique sale this weekend – 20% off your entire order.  You can see Debbie’s post for the details.

Fourth and FORMOST – the new Elzybells UK on-line shop has opened.  I have a cart going and am just waiting for a friend (you know who you are) to get back to me with her final list.  Shipping charges are not as bad as I had anticipated and if you share an order with some friends it’s even better.  I’m so anxious to get some of these larger images in my hands to play with!  You must go check them out – CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

Happy Shopping and thanks for stopping by.

Just a quick post to enable you….head on over to Taylored Expressions (click here) to see the fun new products she’s just added to the store (including my favorite teeny tiny rhinestones see this post for an example of them) as well as a special *26* sale she has going on.

And be sure to join me tomorrow morning after 8:00 for some very special FUN!  I can hardly wait!

Oo La La!  Shopping in Paris!  Isn’t this Rubber Romance image so FUN?  And it just seemed to fit today’s Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge (follow the sketch – cupcakes not required) just perfectly.  Click here to go to Taylor’s blog for details and please come play with us!  You just might become a featured stamper at Taylored Expressions!  This week’s featured stamper is Carol at Happiness Blooms.  Hi Carol!  Congrats!  I was very lucky to meet Carol IRL at CHA this Winter and I love her blog! 

Here’s my take on this week’s sketch.

I honestly really love this card and I think it’s because I actually made it over a three day period – continually adding more and more detail (further proof that More really IS More! *wink*).  Lately I just haven’t been all that happy with a lot of my stamping…maybe because I seem to always be in a hurry to finish something.  But this card was truly joyful and satisfying!  I got the vast majority of it done in the first sitting, but then put it aside to decide later on embellishments.  Here’s some of the deets –

• image was stamped on shimmer white cardstock and colored with Copic markers and SU Metallic Pencils

• shop windows are covered in Crystal Effects

• clouds are covered in white flock adhered with Crystal Effects

• Real Red and Cool Caribbean panels are embossed with Cuttlebug folders Swiss Dots and Textile Texture

• silver SU ribbon slide is embellished with a mixture of Crystal Effects and Real Red re-inker.  I put it in the groove with the tip of a toothpick.  It looks awesome!  Thank you to whoever came up with that clever idea…certainly wasn’t me!

• trees are highlighted with Stardust Stickles

• black panel is outlined with Polymark white pearl irridescent fabric paint (generic liquid pearls)

• red corners are snipped with the SU ticket corner punch and saffron brads are added.

• card base is So Saffron

I’m anxious to check out all of the samples created by the rest of Taylor’s Tarts (bwahahahahhaha – I crack myself up!)  Join me in some blog hopping –

Stephanie Hargis: Steph’s Stampin’ Stuff

Sherrie Siemens: Card Creme

Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy

Mary Jo Albright: Beauty Lies Within

Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper

Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity

Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp

I’ll be without a car for most of today.  We dropped my car off last night at the dealership for an oil change. I have more than enough *stuff* to do around the house to keep me busy…and of course there’s always stamping!  *wink*  I have a super busy weekend scheduled plus tons of fun next week (I’ll share about that later), so don’t worry if I’m a little bit scarce over the next week or so.  I’ll stamp when I can and post when I can. 

SPECIAL SHOPPING ALERT!

If you are in or near SoCal – the L.A. Furniture Mart will be open to the public this weekend for a special sample sale with prices up to 70% off designer furniture pieces!  The Mart is usually only open to interior designers, so this will be a cool opportunity if you have some time available.  Hours are:  Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4.  The Mart is located at 19335 Broadway.  I won’t be able to get down there, so if you go please please tell me all about it!

Thanks for stopping by.

I totally didn’t even realize I was posting two dog cards in a row until I sat down to actually type up this post.  I stamped two cards this morning – both using images I had colored with Copics a couple of weeks ago – and today I wanted to share the one I did for the SCS Sketch Challenge.  Just so happens to be another doggie card.  For some reason I love cute dog stamps – we don’t even have a dog!  LOL!  Anna Wight’s dog stamps are some of my faves and oh my I just now discovered that her new set this month is Good Dog!  Just last week I put myself on stamp restriction and now my head might explode.  AAACCCCKKKK!  It’s not that I can’t afford to buy stamps – I have money in my stamping account – it’s just that I have sets I haven’t even inked and I told myself until I start stamping more (as opposed to just thinking about stamping – LOL!) that I need to hold off on buying any more sets – especially anything unmounted since I tend to use those waaaay less than my wood mounted sets.  Like I said AAACCCCKKKKK!

Well here’s the card I made this morning using one of Anna’s single Whipper Snapper images.

I experimented this morning with taking my photos outside in natural light.  It was pretty bright out and I’m not convinced that I got an overall better result – I’m not liking the big shadow under the wasabi ribbon, but the colors are probably a little more true.

After coloring the dog with Copics I used the Colorless Blender Pen in a pouncing motion all over him to create a bit of a textured look.  I picked up that trick from Marianne the Queen of Copics at her demo/class at CHA.  The background stamp I used is Geometric Flowers II designed by Lisa Strahl for Cornish Heritage Farms.  It was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on Close to Cocoa cardstock.  The designer paper is SU Afternoon Tea.  The sentiment is Elzybells.  Jewels at the bottom are Adorn It Jewel Droplets from eclectic Paperie (they seem to be out of stock at the moment and I’m getting the shakes as I need to replenish my supply!)  The little cocoa droplets around the sentiment are Scribbles Irridescent 3D Paint in Golden Brown (just like liquid pearls).  Wow – I guess this was really an equal opportunity card!  Pieces and parts from everywhere – just had fun playing!

Shopping Alerts!

• Tuesday Morning just got a shipment of Fiskar’s Rotary Cutters (12″) in and they are selling for $19.95.  I have a Fiskar’s Rotary I’ve used for years and it’s finally gone wonky on me over the past several months.  But I had no complaints with it at all for many years. I just purchased the SU Tabletop Cutter.  It cuts like a dream – I am just getting used to the guillotine style (I resist change, you know!)  I almost went ahead and bought a Fiskar’s at Tuesday morning today for that great price, but I managed to talk myself out of it.
• Taylor has shared a sneak peek of her new kit to be released on May 20th.  Check out her  May 13th blog post!

It’s been a busy day and I have one more errand to run before dinner.  I’ll be back sometime tomorrow to share the other card I created this morning.  Thanks for stopping by.