Exciting (and crafty) News!

I have been busy busy busy these last few months and today, I can finally tell you what's kept me busy busy busy!

I've had something up my sleeve for a while now...and TODAY  everyone will finally know what I've been up to...and I wanted my blogging friends to know about what I've had in the works...and what's kept me away from my blog for a while now

Today.... October 14th...at 8 a.m...... I will be launching my new web site and on line business....Cards, Kits and Pages

Here's a little bit about Cards, Kits and Pages..taken straight from the web site

Cards, Kits and Pages provides paper crafters who create at all levels of crafting expertise the opportunity to create advanced level projects.
As the crafter, you will explore and achieve your best and fullest creative potential....in YOUR home... at YOUR pace....at YOUR convenience....with YOUR Kit!

Cards, Kits and Pages offers prepped ready-to-go kits, along with simple easy to follow instructions. You'll just need to have some of your basic crafting tools handy, and you'll be ready to create papercrafting  projects that will look beautifully finished, right down to the last detail.

Your kit will be delivered to your mailbox, and will contain all of the " paper parts and pieces" needed to complete the featured project of the month.
Card stock and paper pieces will be pre-cut, pre-scored...and if they are embossed...punched or die cut...they will be embossed, punched and die-cut for you!  
If your chosen project includes embellishments, bling, brads, ribbon etc....you'll find those elements in your kit as well!

You'll just need to get out some of your basic tools and adhesives, follow the easy to read instructions, and you'll be set to go!


The first Kit will be available for sale TODAY....and you can order it HERE...at the web site

The web site is also mobile..so you can access it via your IPhone..and Ipad.......and...we also have a Facebook page that you can visit and "LIKE"...HERE

I have had  a steady interest from many customers and crafty friends to offer kits..primarily for card making...and thought that it was time that I got a web business together to offer what you've asked for.

I am also happy to provide Kit projects for those of you who can't make it to the monthly workshops/classes....or who may live in far away places...
these kits will keep you inspired..and in the creative mode...month after month...in your own home!

I am very excited about Cards Kits ad Pages finally becoming real...and being ready to launch TODAY!.... I have a feeling that when you visit the web site..you'll feel excited too!

The web site/ "store" link is: http://cardskitsandpages.webs.com/
(you've got to visit the web store...there's lots to see...
and
The Facebook link is: https://www.facebook.com/CardsKitsAndPages

If you enjoy using Facebook...it would be great if you could share the Facebook  link for Cards, Kits and Pages on your FB wall...to help get the word out!
Kits will be shipped nationwide...so all of your crafty Facebook friends in the U.S. will be able to enjoy the opportunity to create with Cards, Kits and Pages  kits!

Your help in getting the word out about Cards, Kits and Pages would be very much appreciated!

Be sure to click LIKE when you visit the Facebook page...and leave a comment to let us know that you visited!

I hope that you'll be one of the first to order the October Kit and will enjoy making beautiful cards of your own!

Cards, Kits and Pages~ October Kit of the Month

....Lots of Reasons to Break a Promise

I've broken my promise...but I come here now armed with a good excuse (aka reason).

I had good intentions...an vowed t0 begin posting weekly...to my blog.

but....in the midst of good intentions...my sweet daughter, Chelsea graduated from high school...and then 2 days later...it was Prom !

While it wasn't MY graduation...or prom...I was very much focused on all that went along with both of those events...and so everything else has (happily) taken a back seat to Chelsea's excitement!

And...as if that's not enough hub-bub for one family...Chelsea was a Scholastic Alliance for Young Writers and Artists National Gold Medal Winner!..
Yes!...she was one of 2 Gold Medal Winners for her Photography Portfolio ....there are lots of categories...writing...art...photography are a few...
this year...220,000 + student submitted work...and from the 220,000...only 15 were chosen as Gold Medalists in al categories combined!

This is HUGE...we actually didn't know how huge it was until everything began to unfold...
a generous college scholarship...a grand gala in Manhattan...the Empire State Building was illuminated in gold on the day of the gala in honor of the 15 gold medalists....and the next day....Chelsea and the other medalists were on stage at Carnegie Hall receiving acknowledgement  and thunderous applause...for their work

BUT..the on stage part at Carnegie Hall was only after she and the other Gold Medalists got to hang out backstage with Meryl Streep...(who was the guest speaker at the event at Carnegie hall...and who by the way was charming...delightful..witty and so down to earth...I could have listened to her speak for  hours)

In addition..Chelsea work..and the work of other award winners were on display for a few weeks at the Parson new School in Manhattan..(yes..that's where project Runway is Filmed...they have a wonderful gallery there)

Chelsea's work is now traveling throughout the country with the exhibit...which in and of itself is amazing to think about!

In between all of the awards festivities...graduation and prom...we have attended lots of awards ceremonies...
Chelsea really finished her high school life with a bang...being inducted into her high school's Photography Hall of Fame...receiving numerous awards...and scholarships...
She truly has made us proud, beyond measure

June was one big wonderful blur of happiness...celebration as well as gathering of new and cherished memories for us...
Thank you for letting me boast a bit...

PS..I can't find the photo of the Empire State Bldg illuminated in gold, with Chelsea posing in the forefront of the photo.....I'll share that next time.

Video of Chelsea's Artist Talk at Parsons

Chelsea ~ Formal and Informal Graduation portraits

Scholastic Step and Repeat Photo

Chelsea on stage at Carnegie hall with some of her work displayed behind her

Hanging out with Meryl Streep ~Backstage in the Green Room at Carnegie Hall

Chelsea giving her Artist talk in front of her work (Parsons Gallery ~ Manhattan)

Video of Chelsea's Artist talk

Prom

Berry Blossoms Returns

Berry Blossoms is a beautiful, colorful and fun pack of Designer Series print paper to create with ...I love when certain shades of purple and green go well together..and this pack of paper allows for the perfect mix of these 2 colors...and that little burst of Calypso Coral in the mix adds just the right "oomph" and kick of color...don't you agree?

Last weeks card was created with this beautiful paper......and this weeks card was too!

For this card....I used lots of the same Stampin Up goodies as I did for last weeks card..
Card Stock: Lucky Limeade...Wisteria Wonder...Whisper White
Classic Ink: Lucky Limeade
Designer Series Paper:: Berry Blossoms
Punches: Modern Label....and misc small Butterfly
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots
Misc: Self Adhesive Pearls

As always...I hope that this card inspires you to create...

Have a great...safe...and happy holiday weekend!

PS..now who is going to give me some applause...I promised to post to my blog once a week..and so far.....I've kept my promise!

Catching up....a card....and a "Not So New Year's" Resolution


It's been SO long since I've given my blog any attention...
I am beginning to feel guilty...
and so...today...in front of everyone here..I am making a resolution...

are you ready?
here goes...
(I know that once I put this out there in front of everyone...then I really MUST live up to my word)...
I'm not a nail biter...but I may turn into one right now..
(oh the pressure...the pressure)

okay...well...here it is...(to all of you who blog daily...pre-post blogs..and give your blogs lots of TLC.....you'll probably think.."what's the big deal"?.....for me..this is a biggie...especially with my blogging track record of late...

so...
here it is...
(oh..did  say that already?)

well anyway...here I go...

I, Michelle, will...beginning this week...post to my blog...once a week...(more would be nice...but too lofty a goal for me right now)

so..once a week
I promise
I'll share something...most likely a card ...here on my blog...

Now you've all witnessed it.
There's no turning back for me now!

and so...to show you that I am a woman of my word...I have a card to share!
(I am patting myself on the back right now as you sit there and read that!)

This is one of the cards that I just did with the ladies who attend the Card Making Workshop that I host every month
Using stamps that have coordinating punches is something the ladies always seem to enjoy.....and so...this card was a hit
(We always do 2 cards at a workshop.....(variations..using the same materials)...I'll share the other card next week...(when I keep my "one post a week" promise!)

Here's the card...(you can click on the pic for an up-close-and-personal-view of details)

What do you think?
Bright?
Cheerful?
"Do-able"?...even for a beginner?

For this card....we used lots of Stampin Up goodies..
Card Stock: Calypso Coral...Lucky Limeade...Wisteria Wonder...Whisper White
Classic Ink: Calypso Coral..Lucky Limeade
Designer Series Paper:: Berry Blossoms
Stamp set: Mixed Bunch
Punches: Blossom Punch...Modern Label....and misc Butterfly
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dot...Stripes

As always...I hope that this card inspires you...

See you next week!

(It feels good to be back!)

Customer Appreciation Giveaway Winner(s)

 

 

 

It's always nice to let my customers know how much they are appreciated.....and so, I'll say thank you to everyone who placed an order and was "in it" for a chance to win a prize package of Stampin Up goodies valued at $50!

The Customer Appreciation Winner is....

 ELMARIE!

Congratulations Elmarie!...You are the winner of a $50 Stampin Up prize package!

and just because I have some extra goodies here looking for a crafty home....a second winner was plucked from the hat...
and the winner is.......

RACHEL!!!

congratulations. Rachel.......you're the winner of a mini package of goodies valued at $20

Thanks again to all of my creative and fantastic customers....
Your enthusiasm to create inspires me!

Be sure to check back for my end of year inventory reduction sale....when I begin my end of the year
"out with the old..in with the new" sale!

Customer Appreciation Giveaway

Customer Appreciation Giveaway

THIS WEEKEND
SATURDAY and SUNDAY ONLY
November 26th and 27th

Place an ON LINE order of $60  or more for your chance to win a Stampin Up prize package valued at $50.
Order items can be selected from the Holiday Mini...Regular Idea Book...Clearance Rack...or items featured in the current Holiday Extravaganza
($60 = merchandise total~ prior to tax & shipping fees)

You can visit my web site, "The Ink Spot", to place your order TODAY or TOMORROW

( http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/theinkspot/promotions )

**ONLY orders placed today thru tomorrow evening (midnight...Sunday...Nov 27th) will be eligible for the giveaway

WINNER will be announced via email and here at My Paper Bliss on Monday, Nov 28th

*prize package will contain asst Stampin Up items valued at $50...(ie....ink.....ribbon...card stock/paper...stamps)

My favorite Color Combo Part 2...The "girly" Version

Yesterday I shared a card with you that used my favorite guy color combo..and today...I am sharing the girly version of that same color combo...blue...tan..ivory....and have this time...I've used Stampin Ups Not Quite Navy with Crumb Cake (aka Kraft) and Very Vanilla...with an added touch of Old Olive (ribbon and bird image)

I'll be sharing this card over at Card and a Half for Sketch Challenge #3

I hope that this "girly" version of my favorite guy color combo..together with a nice sketch inspires you to create at least one card today!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

My Favorite "Guy" Card Color Combo

I have always loved this color combo for guy things....clothes....decor....and yes...cards!
back in the 80's...i discovered my love of this navy..tan and cream color combo when I made an afghan for a male friend..and I have loved it ever since.

I have long since retired my crochet hooks....and have replaced them with anything and everything related to card stock..ink..and rubber stamps.....and still...I have found myself going back to this color combination countless times when creating  "guy cards"...

This Father's Day card is CAS (my style of choice!) and is ideal, I think, for Sketch Challenge #3 over at Card and a Half and it's done in my favorite guy color combo...using Stampin Ups Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel and Very Vanilla

While I love this color combo for guy" cards....I know that it translates well to feminine cards..and so tomorrow I'll share a second card...also created for this card challenge...using similar colors...

Until then...I hope that you enjoy your Saturday...and that maybe...you'll visit Card and a Half to check out this Sketch Challenge

Stampin'... Stampin'...Stampin'.....for a Moxie Fab Challenge!

I've received some emails asking about the background print on this card (posted here on my blog earlier this month).....
so..I thought I'd answer the questions.....and while I am at it...tell you that I am entering this card in a challenge at Stamp It! Cards Week Challenge in the Moxie Fab World ......and if you've created a card in which stamping is the predominant element....be sure to visit Cath Edvalson..at the Papercrafts Moxie Fab World Blog to enter your card in thie weeks challenge!

So...now...onto my card....
here I created one card...used two colors (*Basic Grey and Very Vanilla card stock) and lots of stamping with one beautiful stamp set....(The Open Sea...from Stampin up!)..and the result is what you see below!..and oh!...yes... I almost forgot to mention that I used a Color Spritzer (for the little "splatter" of ink dots around the image of the ship)

Now....about the background..which is what everyone asked about ...
I used the globe and the stamp that replicates a ships manifest for the background...using Stampin Up Basic Grey  Classic ink on Basic Grey card stock...stamp stamp stamp.....and wha-la!..a beautiful background pattern that coordinates with the ship image from the same stamp set!
(I love creating background patterns with stamps...using the same color ink as the card stock...like I did here...with Basic Grey)

I enjoyed making this card SO much..and am looking forward to making a few more of them to keep on hand for "guy" occasions...

P.S....don't you just love the little stamped anchor that I cut out and used as an embellishment! (the anchor is  another stamp included in "The Open Sea" stamp set)

Spritzer fun.....

Every so often I dig out a tool or supply that I haven't used in a while....put us both on the guest list.....and the I throw a little reunion party....

This time the guest of honor was the Stampin Up Color Spritzer Tool...
As soon as we were reunited..I realized how much I had missed my Spritzer....

After a wonderful reunion..I decided to throw another party..same guest of honor..but a bigger guest list..
and so...I brought my Spritzer to last month's card making Workshop.....and introduced it to the ladies who attended...and the party took off!

This is the "Spritzerized" card that we did..(we always make 4 of each  of 2 cards at every workshop...)...
once everyone got the hang of how much pressure to put on the Spritzer bulb..the fun began!

The Spritzer...the colors (*Basic Grey and Very Vanilla).....and Stamp set (*The Open Sea) and the Designer Series Paper (*Nautical Expedition) ....were all a big hit!

Imagine...a color and generic as Basic Grey being a hit! (that was our color  that night....we always work off of one Stampin Up color each month)

So without further ado...I give you our "Spritzerized" card

 ...and here it is again...side by side ...with the second workshop card for that evening..also using Basic Grey ....our color of the night......along with Concord Crush...Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla...

Thanks for stopping by....
I hope that these cards inspire you to plan your own reunion party with a stool or supply that you haven't used in a while...and that you fall in love all over again with it...like I did..with my Color Spritzer