Running Pretty

So do you write To Do lists so you can get the satisfaction of crossing the tasks off?  I totally do!  My husband is currently teasing me because I actually typed out my To Do list this time.  But there was just so many things that had to get done, it just helped me organize everything and get it out of my head.  I hate that feeling of having too much stuff running around my mind, so once I put it down on paper I feel like I can now let it go because I wrote it down.  Now I still have to complete the task, but I don't have to think about it anymore.


So to check one of my tasks off, I get to show off one of the stamps that I just had to have when I saw it: Ham on the Run by Hambo Stamps.  To make it even better, they have an awesome Fractured Funnies sentiment that just cracks me up to go with it.  I used the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #132 for my layout and the colors come from the Color Throwdown Challenge #165.  I left it very simple...remember that long To Do list I have mentioned?!  Anyway, I watercolored my naked pig with Cameo Coral ink.  

The rest of the Fractured Funnies sentiment, I Feel Pretty, is on the inside of the card.  True confession time...I have some experience with running naked during my college years.  There was a tradition at the University of Michigan called the Naked Mile and I may have participated once or twice!  So I couldn't help the feeling that the inside should read "Oh wait that was me!".  I am confident that will be what my friend receiving this will think too!  Ok true confession time is over now...onto regular blog posts without embarassing stories!


Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!


The Engineering Details
Stamps - Ham on the Run, I Feel Pretty (Hambo Stamps); Paper - Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Old Olive, Rainbow Sherbert DP (SU!), watercolor paper; Ink - Cameo Coral (SU!), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); Accessories - Circle and Big Scallop Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Olive pearls (Oriental Trading), dimensionals

Fall Wish

I really love Fall...the colors, the smell, the crispness of the air.  We had a totally Fall weekend this weekend and it was fantastic!  Got a date night with my Hubby to finally celebrate out Anniversary, went to a couple soccer games, visited a corn maze at night, sat by a bonfire, and went pumpkin picking (hay ride and all).  


So it is no wonder that with all of those Fall activities, I wanted to play with the Color It Autumn set from Paper Makeup Stamps.  This set is great for coloring...or not coloring like I did!  I did some masking to layer the images on a piece of Solar White Classic Linen from Paper Temptress.  Gives the card a lovely texture...which is easier to see in the detail shot.  My other panels were dressed up with Copper Ore Glimmer cardstock and Nero Incandescent cardstock...both are some of my favorites from Paper Temptress!  

The layout for the card is from the SCS Sketch Challenge #355 and the color combination came from the Color Throwndown #164 Challenge.  I dyed white taffeta ribbon with my Rich Razzleberry marker and added some olive pearls for some added detail.


This will be my last official card (and Company Blog Post) with Paper Temptress as my Design Team term is up.  I have so enjoyed representing Paper Temptress and have fallen in love with the cardstock.  I know I will be back for more!  Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!


The Engineering Details
Stamps - Color It Autumn, Celebration Sentiments (Paper Makeup Stamps); Paper - Olive Basis 80#, Copper Ore Glimmer, Nero Incandescent, Solar White Classic Linen (Paper Temptress); Ink - Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories - white taffeta ribbon (SU!), edge punch (Friskars), Corner Rounder Punch (SU!), Olive Pearls (Oriental Trading), dimensionals

Sympathetic Mojo

We are nearing the end of summer...still a lot of fun to be had!  But, man, has it flown by!  My yard shows how busy we have been...there are weeds (and some trees that shouldn't be there) everywhere.  I am either going to "invite" my Mom over for a weekend or actually set aside some time to do some yardwork.  I think I like the Mom idea better.  Afterall, she loves to garden...I would only be making her happy right?!  In the midst of all of the fun, my husband had a co-worker that lost his wife to a battle with cancer, so a sympathy card was requested.


So pulling the latest Mojo Monday Sketch (by the way, did you guys see that I was one of the winners of the last Mojo Monday contests!  You can see my card that won HERE), the color combo from the Color Throwdown Challenge #154 , and my beautiful Paper Temptress cardstock, I went to creating a sympathy card.  I recently got the "When There's Nothing Left to Say" stamp  set from Paper Makeup Stamps...one of those sets that can be so perfect in times like these, but yet one you hope you don't have to use.  Anyway, this was the first time I inked it up.  

The beautiful shimmer and sparkle of the card (seen better in the close-up shot) come from the Autumn Hay Glimmer and Gold Sparkle cardstock from Paper Temptress.  Truly beautiful cardstock!  Not sure I would have ever added the photo corner in the LH corner, but it was part of the sketch, so I kept it in.  You can see my post on the Paper Temptress Blog HERE.


Back to bright summer days filled with happiness, so I don't have to think about how it would feel to lose a spouse at such a young age!  Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details
Stamps - When There's Nothing Left to Say (Paper Makeup Stamps); Paper - Autumn Hay Glimmer, Gold Sparkle, Olive Basis #80, Gray Basis #80 (Paper Temptress), Porcelain Collection (Basic Grey); Ink - Basic Gray (SU!); Accessories - Circle and Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scallop Edge Punch and Photo Corner Punch (SU!), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo), Olive Green Pearls (Oriental Trading), white gel pen, dimensionals

A Blog Hop for a Cutie

It is time for a Paper Makeup Stamps Blog Hop and this month's theme is Oldies But Goodies!  Since I am the first stop on the Hop past the PMS Blog, you are in the right spot!  But do make sure to check out the PMS Blog for all of the details on the prizes to be won!


I pulled out an oldie that hadn't seen any ink yet...one of the Retro Cutie Critters: Lucy Mouse.  She is all dressed up (purse and all) and ready to go!  I actually didn't use a sketch for this card (I know, I gasped too!), but then again my layout is pretty basic.  But sometimes simplicity is the key.  Lucy was stamped in Brilliance Graphite Black on watercolor paper and then I watercolored her with ink pads and an aquabrush.  The pattern paper is from a very long retired Bali Breeze from Stampin' Up! The sentiment is from the Cutie Critter Sayings that perfectly matches some of the Retro Cutie Critters...I think it is about time to add an addition to the sayings for the new critters!  The color choice comes from the current Color Throwdown Challenge #153.


Now you are off to Anita's Blog to see what kind of Oldie she has in store for you.  Once you finish the hop, make sure to jump over to Paper Makeup Stamps and fill a cart with some of these Oldies (some of them are even on Sale too!).  Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!


The Engineering Details
Stamps - Lucy Mouse, Cutie Critter Sayings (Paper Makeup Stamps); Paper - Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Bali Breeze Pattern Paper (SU!), watercolor paper; Ink - Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette Marker (SU!), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); Accessories - Signo White Gel Pen, Clear Star Gelly Roll Pen (Sakura), Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder (Provo), Clear Rhinstones (Darice), Ticket Corner Punch (SU!), dimensionals, aquabrush

A Monster of a Father's Day

School is finally winding down here and summer is starting to get into full swing!  I think my son's school is one of the last to get out for some reason this year.  I am pretty excited for summer.  I will be taking care of a couple extra kids two days a week, so I think that will be fun, especially since my son and the girl get along famously! I actually have decided to have theme weeks throughout the summer.  I will be sharing them here in case anyone is wondering what I am talking about...I will hopefully even let you know ahead of time so you could join in on the fun!  


But in teh meantime, let me share with you the Father's Day card I made for my wonderful husband.  The adorable monsters (called Me and Pops) are from Paper Makeup Stamps and I have been wanting to ink this one up for awhile!  Just love it!  The layout is from the SCS Sketch Challenge #337 and the colors were taken from the Color Throwdown Challenge #146.  


Well off to work on my Father's Day project...have a great night and thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details
Stamps - Me & Pops (Paper Makeup Stamps), So Many Sayings (SU!); Paper - Kiwi Kiss, Early Espresso, Crushed Curry Textured (SU!), Green at Heart Paper Pad (Basic Grey), watercolor paper; Ink - Kiwi Kiss, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry (SU!), Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories - Brown & White Baker's Twine (unknown), aquabrush, dimensionals

Whooo Did Some Stamping?

Yup I managed to get a little stamping in tonight...yay for me! I was prompted by the fact that I never did the current Sketch For You to Try for March and well March is just about over...seriously not sure how that happened. Now if only the weather around here would agree with the calendar and give us some spring like weather. I am so ready to put away the winter coat!

So like I said I used the current Jen Del Muro's Sketch For You To Try for March for my layout and the Color Throwdown #135 colors (Vanilla, Black, Red, and Yellow). I got the cutie Webster the Owl from Paper Makeup Stamps awhile ago and hadn't inked him up yet. And as cute as he is, that is just a shame! So I stamped him on vanilla cardstock and then used a blender pen to color him except for the present which I paper pieced.

Don't forget the BIG news will be coming out soon, so make sure you stay tuned. Now I am off to bed...thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details

Stamps - Webster the Owl, Cutie Critter Sayings (Paper Makeup Stamps); Paper - Basic Black, Real Red, So Saffron Very Vanilla (SU!), Black & Ivory Fusion Paper Pad (K&Company); Ink - Real Red, So Saffron (SU!), Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch (SU!), Red Rhinestones (Darice), paper piercer, dimensionals

God is Big

Phew! I think I made it through my husband's massive overtime period...not sure I made it out in flying colors. I will admit it got a little rough there in the end...plus it is winter...all adding up to some emotional moments for me in dealing with the kids normal behaviors. But I feel a weight has at least been lessened, so I am thankful. But after reading a story of a fellow stamper (I do not know her personally), I am far more thankful to be healthy and have the family I do. See, Katie has stage 4 cancer and she actually has to think about that she may have a defined number of days left with her three kids. How does one handle that? In my opinion, you don't...you give it to God to handle and just pray that you can follow what God has in His plan. Believe not an easy task for me, a control freak, and that is only for minor in comparison problems.

The Color Throwdown Challenge Blog has decided to do this week's challenge in support of Katie...there is even a prize involved. So while I would have no idea what to say to Katie besides I will pray for you, this quote from Paper Makeup Stamps makes me remember that sometimes our problems are too big for us to handle and we need to give them to God. So I will be sending this card to Katie and I will continue to pray for her and her family.

The Color Throwdown Challenge #124 is to use Melon Mambo, Soft Sky, and Early Espresso. Very nice color combo, but I had only a smidge of Soft Sky left and no ink of any sort in that color. So I had to limit my Soft Sky portion of the card. I also used the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #173 for the layout, turned 90 degrees.

So if you can, join me in making a card for the Color Throwdown Challenge and send it to Katie...you might just be rewarded with a prize! Also check out Katie's blog...she is basically journaling her way through her treatment and it is definitely a story you need to read. Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details

Stamps - How Big Your God Is Wordart (Paper Makeup Stamps); Paper - Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Sahara Sand (SU!); Ink - Early Espresso Marker, Melon Mambo Marker, Sahara Sand (SU!); Accessories - Apron Border Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Labels 16 and Big Scalloped Oval Dies (Spellbinders), Flower Punch (Marvy), White Satin Ribbon (Offray), Pink Fairy Rhinestones (Bazzill Basics), dimensionals

Double Take

Well happy Friday to you! We have a busy weekend ahead of us. First date night for Hubby and I...my parents are in town, so we get the night off! What good movies are out right now? I literally have no idea! Then Saturday will bring us Kindergarten soccer, finding the perfect pumpkin, and then my son's gymnastics performance..haven't been able to watch him in awhile, so we are really excited for this! Then a birthday party for my Mother-in-Law on Sunday in which my son designed a cake for her (picture to come later...didn't feel like getting the camera out)...I executed, but I let him tell me how he wanted it done. He cracks me up sometimes! So I hope that all of you enjoy your upcoming weekend as well!

Now onto what we are really here for...the Makeup 4 The Weekend Challenge #47. The challenge is to make a card in any shape but a square or rectangle. I don't make non-rectangle cards much, so this was a fun challenge. I needed some more masculine cards, so I pulled out the newly released Leif Monster from Paper Makeup Stamps. I got my color combo for the first version from the SCS Color Challenge #293...Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Concord, and Old Olive...I only have one of the colors, so I went with Old Olive, Ruby Red, and Elegant Eggplant. Leif was stamped in Black Stazon ink on watercolor paper and colored with an aquabrush and ink pads. In my typical masculine fashion, I distressed some edges and added some hemp twine. The sentiment was stamped with a dollar aisle alphabet stamp set...the inside reads "from your birthday".

Since I liked how the first card turned out and I needed more masculine cards (slew of male birthdays right now!) I found the Color Throwdown Challenge #115 had a good color scheme...So Saffron, Dusty Durango, Perfect Plum...so I made the same card in these colors. Not sure which one I like better...think the first one. What do you think?

So now it is your turn to make a card...make sure that it is not a square or rectangle...and use a stamp from Paper Makeup Stamps to have a chance to win some free rubbah! Make sure to link it up to the Makeup 4 The Weekend Challenge post. Have fun getting inky and thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details

Stamps - Leif Monster (Paper Makeup Stamps), Small Alphabet (unknown); Paper - Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Old Olive (SU!), watercolor paper; Ink - Black Stazon, Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Old Olive (SU!); Accessories - Large Scallop and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), hemp twine, scissors, dimensionals

Meow to You!

Is it Friday already? Man this week feels like it has flown by! Not that I am upset or anything, but I am just sayin'...still can't believe that it is July already! I may actually scrapbook tonight...although only one friend is making it out, so maybe we will just make cards instead. Not feelin' the scrapbooking vibe right now!

Anyway, today you are getting a double duty of PMS! Wow that sounds bad...who wants a double duty of PMS...see there are times to use an acronym and there are times not to. So let's try that again...today you are getting a double duty of Paper Makeup Stamps. It is the Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge #34 and it is the first Review day from the amazing July Release. So what was your favorite set/image released?? Honestly, mine is one I haven't even shown here yet...Dandy Wishes...totally love it...don't worry you WILL be seeing it here! But this Francesa kitty is right up there as well...she is just SO sassy! So the Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge #34 is to use "Critters" on your card and what luck, Paper Makeup Stamps has some of the cutest critters around! Diem Pascarella, yup the illustrator of the PMS Beautiful Day fairies, has created these Retro Critters in 1950's fashion! They are just so cute. And today we just so happen to be reviewing the recently released Critters, Francesca the Cat and Felicity the Fawn, and the new Cutie Critter Sayings to match! So make sure you hit the PMS Blog to see what all of the designers have to show you with these great critters!

So Francesca, like I said, is a sassy kitten...she normally comes with a martini glass in her left paw...which I am sure she is drinking before Noon because that is just how sassy she is. But I have a niece that LOVES cats...so I immediately thought of making a birthday card for her with Francesca. Problem is she is turning 12 (I think!) and a martini glass is not really appropriate. So I put clear tape over the martini glass (kinda tricky since it is small), inked up the stamp, pulled the clear tape off and stamped the image on my cardstock. Her left paw didn't quite look right and I was stumped as to what else I could put in her hand to cover it up, so I got a little of the ink on my blender pen and kinda "filled in" her paw. Not perfect, but I think it worked...can you tell? Now she just looks like she is showing us a Sassy pose! Then I colored her with the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge #100 (you gotta checkout this week's challenge as there are HUGE prizes in celebration...Katie even donated the entire July Release!): Baja Breeze, Real Red, Certainly Celery, and Regal Rose. I colored with the ink pads and blender pen. Then a little star dust stickles on the red parts to match my sparkle red rhinestones. I also went around her and the edge of my paper with a grey watercolor pencil and then blended it out with the blender pen. It kind of makes her jump out a little since I kept her white.

The layout for my card came from the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #63...told you I would be back! This is a great sketch! I pulled out some pattern paper from Parisian Breeze collection that is retired SU!, added my scallop border and some white gel pen accents. The certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon was tied with silver cord and a button from the Button Latte collection from SU!.

So now you need to check out what the other designers did for the Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge at the PMS Blog. Better yet, break out your "critters" and create something...then link it up to the PMS Blog so we all can see! Thanks for checking out my kind of engineering!

The Engineering Details

Stamps - Francesca the Cat, Cutie Critter Sayings (PMS); Paper - Certainly Celery, Real Red, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze DSP (SU!); Ink - Brilliance Graphite Black, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Real Red marker, Regal Rose marker (SU!); Accessories - Watercolor Pencils (SU!), Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon (SU!), Flower button from Button Latte Collection (SU!), Silver cord (retired SU!), Sparkle Red Rhinstones - Kisses (Bazzill), Scallop Border punch (SU!), white gel pen, Stardust Stickles, Blender Pen, dimensionals