I CASED this and I love it!

Ok, I CASED the idea to do the herd of cows with one pig from this card I saw on Laura's site. I loved the card. It was difficult for me not to totally take the entire card and remake it but I made myself do it a little different. See mine have a hand drawn background and my layout is a bit different. These stamps are SU from the Sell-A-Bration set "Just Punny" or "Very Punny" or something like that, you know the one.. with the cows and pigs and other stuff.

Anyhow I'm not sending it for publication or a contest or anything. I'm sending it to my SU demo who is the coolest demo ever. (Email me if you don't have a demo and I'll hook you up with her)

I'm crazy but I'm doing another "no-buy"! I just sent my SU demo a check, (It's in the card you see here) for more than I care to share. I really, really HAVE TO HAVE the crab set from the spring catalog. So I said to myself, "Erin order the set as part of the special, get the other things you want, but then no buying until the END OF APRIL." You have to be stern with yourself. Then I remembered that the LSS has it's garage sale next month so I decided that I can spend at that but nothing else. Of course I always sell way more in that than I spend so it's fine. (Like that justification?) Also Angie MADE ME sign up for Self Addressed last month and so that will come. I did get my first kit and I LOVE it. It smells good too which is interesting. (I'll pause while all you go smell your Self Addressed kits, see what I mean?)

Ok, that's all I can share tonight I'm super tired. Love you guys!

Even More Card Candy

Finally got my boys to take a good nap so I made more Card Candy. I am going to have one of these as either a hostess gift or a prize at my TAC party. This set is a special limited-time-only set that I have a few to give out of as well. It's pretty cute if I do say so myself! The second I'm using for the swap I told you about. I asked and I can use 4 different ones so that's good, I get bored easily. Oh I colored these with markers. Soon everyone will forget that I'm such a big fan of prismacolors!

I currently have this swap and one using Just Johanna stamps going. Oh and my "Huge Bella Image Swap" of course. That one I'm running and I'm swapping out Friday. So my point is that I need to get going with some Just Johanna cards and get stuff in the mail. Maybe I'll make a goal of having everything ready for Friday when I need to go to the PO anyhow. We shall see!

More Card Candy and a new look for the blog

I hope you can tell, these flowers are layered and the petals are shaped in curves that are supported by varying thicknesses of glue dots. I colored with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. Can you believe it no prismacolor pencils in sight! These stamps are Hero Arts and they are probably my favorite flowers ever. I am really liking this card candy stuff.

Oh and chime in on the new look. I love the brown with pastels, but I am afraid that it is clashing with my cards. I need you guys to tell me if it's totally distracting. Keep in mind that I really like it and want it to work! heehee.

Well I have a decision to make, I'm super tired, my boys haven't been sleeping right, but are napping right now. I can either take a nap or make more fun projects. I can't decide. I did make the dinner for tonight already, so all I have to do is heat it up in the microwave later. Hurray me! It's frito chilli bake or something like that, you know, chilli and fritos with cheese and onion. (maybe too much onion, I always put too much.)

Card Candy

Ok, apparently these are all the rage. You make a set of embelishments and then give them or trade them or whatever. This is my first attempt. I'm pretty happy with it. I'm not sure if I'm going to use it for a Card Candy swap I'm in or if I'll give it as a hostess or other prize at my upcoming TAC Funshop. I've never used this set before, I think it's cute, but I just never pull it out.

Published!

I received a note in the mail that said:

THANK YOU!

Your material has recently been pub-

lished in either Scrap & Stamp Arts

or Just Cards. We hope that you will

consider submitting again in the

future. Should you have any ques-

tions, please do not hesitate to visit

our Web site,

www.scottpublications.com

How cool is that? They included one of my cards, I assume the one they chose. It's a dark colored one with an Asian Lady. I paper pieced her clothing. It's actually one of my least favorite ones I sent them but thats exactly why I sent them a whole pile of different type ones so they could pick what they liked best you know? Anyhow I'm on cloud nine. I wonder if I'll get a free issue, I know that's pretty standard.. I hope so I love those magazines. I sent it to the Just Cards division but I know they are related so if they liked it more for something in the Scrap and Stamp Arts they would just use it there. Have I mentioned that I'm excited?

I actually got all sorts of cool mail today:

A book I ordered on Amazon

An order of cloth diapers (we are giving it a try)

Some almonds I did a free survey for

A magazine (It's this magazine Ready Made, it's not crafts,but about reusing stuff and generally not having so much waste... we'll see how I like it, it's only my second issue)

A Swap for my Bella Image Swap.

and the Notification of Publication

So it was a banner mail day for me! :)

Cloth diapers are CUTE I got mine from Hugga Buns. Stephen, my toddler didn't like it when I tried to put one on him. I think he doesn't understand he's allowed to pee in there.. Anyhow I got them for Ethan my baby. :) I'll let you all know what I think of them. :)

More Masking Fun

More Eat Cake cards with masking. Oh actually the stack of animals comes that way, I didn't stack them, I masked only the feet to stick them on the a muse oval. Everything else had masking done to make these funny scenes. I colored with gamsol and prismacolor pencils. Arn't they just funny! I think so. :)

Blog Candy

Ok, so if you haven't heard Michael's craft store has these adorable clear sets for just a dollar each. So I had to go right out and get some and also get you guys some too!

You can win this blog candy if you act fast. You will have to be a full member at The Stamp Shack to win. I have a number of cards over there. There is one lonely card though that has the dredded "no comments"! Not a single person has seen this card and thought, "Oh I like that I'll tell Erin." So... if you are an Erin K Creations blog reader AND a member of The Stamp Shack AND find and like my one sad lonely card you can win. Only the first person to post on that card wins. You must post there then post over her and tell me that you did.

I am totally willing to send this collection to my friends in Canada and overseas, so don't worry one bit about the shipping. I'm happy to send it wherever the winner lives.

Thanks for playing my third Blog Candy contest!

Got creating again

The first is bag toppers. I'm going to do these in Christy's TAC workshop that is next week. They are super easy and quick and I'm hopeing each girl has time to make a handful of them. Stamps and paper TAC.

The second is water bottle lables I'm doing for my friend Shara's baby shower. She's having a girl so I'm so excited to work in pinks! We also had to shop all over for the cutest little girl dresses! I LOVE my boys, but man girls are CUTE too. The babies are from a SU wheel and the phrase is TAC. I'm hoping the drinks don't make a mess of this when they sweat. I did use waterproof ink so hopefully! Anyhow they will be cute for a minute at least right? *wink*

Here's my newest card. I used my Eat Cake Graphics stamps that came today. I think it sorta looks like Stephen and Ethan in a year filling a pool. It's all seperate stamps I masked everything. I'm really happy with how it turned out. The second pic is the inside. This card is for my friend Mary and has a special gift inside for her. :)

Survivor Shack Style

So over at The Stamp Shack there is a game going on. It's called Survivor Shack Style and basicly you make a zany card and then each day Sherry puts up a predetermined elimination. Like one day she might say "Cards that have pink are eliminated." and it goes on until there is only one card standing! How totally fun. This bug card is my entry, I'll keep you bloggers posted as to how it goes.

Just Johanna Cards Posted

Well I felt it was about time to jump on the Just Johanna bandwagon. So here's my stuff.

The bird is supposed to be a boy but I wanted a girl bird so I could use that "you go girl" (michael's dollar bin) stamp so I just drew some eyelashes on him and "BAM" he's a SHE! I'm sure the Just Johanna police will be at my door in a matter of hours! heehee

The fish card I've been wanting to make every sense I first laid eyes on the Just Johanna catalog! So there it is.

I may use both of these in the swap that I'm in that uses JJ stamps, I believe she said we could do more than one design.

Well what do you think? Can I join the exclusive Just Johanna club?? Are my cards up to snuff?

Talk about motivation!

So I did it! I cleaned my craft room in spite of my high fever! Nothing like new stamps to motivate a girl. Actually I'm feeling somewhat better.

I made this card to celebrate. I copied some things from the always inspiring AmyR whose Bella Card I stole a lot from. Actually I just looked it up to get the link for you and I didn't realize just how much of it I stole!

You know that brings up a good point. This is my personal belief. I would not submit this card for publication or in a contest. It's too much a copy. I do feel that it's ok to make and give to a friend. I feel it's ok to put on here because I gave credit for the inspiration to Amy. How do you all feel? This may be the closest copy I've done. I might use these ideas again...

Oh and I just read Julie's note, if I'd known she was awaiting my Just Johanna card I would have done that first! I'll make one as my very next card just for you Julie. ;) Actually I'm in a Just Johanna swap so I'd better get on the ball!

Ok, back to laying around and being pitiful.

Edited to include: It has come to my attention that some of my very best friends DONT BELIEVE ME! :( heehee See, I really did clean my craft room! :)

Crazy Resolutions!

Ok, so I made a personal resolution to not make any more cards or stamp anything at all until I totally clean my craft room. I'm talking, opening up all the drawers and sorting beads and alphabetizing stamps and just everything. I have a few drawers that sort of just collect junk, I need to sort all that stuff. Also I need to pull stuff for the Garage Sale my LSS has twice a year. I usually make a ton of money selling old supplies I won't use anymore. I also sorted my scarry tangle of ribbon and twined it all and organized it by color.

Well I do want to do all that but now I'm sick! I have some crazy fever sort throat illness, both my babies had it, they are over it though. I'm delux miserable with it. The point is I started all this super cleaning and the photo you see is where I had to leave it when I got sick! It didn't even look that messy when I started.

To make matters worse I have gotten TONS of cool stamps in the mail! I got Just Johanna stamps, Pink Cat stamps and the amazing A Muse ovals that AmyR talks about in her blog. Those ovals by the way came in two days! I called in my order on Thursday and they are here! So I can't even play with my new toys is my point. I need to get well then finish cleaning that mess then I can stamp, stamp, stamp.

Ok, time to go lay on the couch more.

I'm teaching a class!

So I will be teaching a class on using Gamsol and Prismacolor pencils at Scrap N' Stamp. I'm very excited. I went around and around about what to do or how many projects to do. The coloring is a bit time consumeing and I want everyone to have plenty of time to practice and really get the feel for this awesome technique so I'll just do the one card. They will also have a sheet of stamped fish or some other image that they can practice on. I really want each person to go home really confident in gamsol and prismacolor.

I'm thining of printing out a pile of fishy type sayings that they can put inside the card if they choose. I personally don't feel it needs anything, I like the idea of a blank notecard, but it would give them a choice anyhow.

Ok so bring it on what do you think? Keep in mind I have to turn it in tomorrow morning so I can't really TAKE your criticsm and do anything with it, so it will be most helpful if you just tell me you think it's great ok?? ;)

And the winner is...

Thanh won the drawing for my "I want blog links" contest!!! Hurray Thanh.

I'll have another contest soon, I have to think of what game to play and what prize to give first.

Gotta go check if I have more hits than Sherri yet. Oh but go check her blog out too (AFTER MINE) she is thinking of adding a new member to her family AND has a new technique using the cuttlebug!

A dog and another Easter Card

These stamps are by The Angel Company. This is probably my favorite dog set ever. I used masking and my stamp-a-majig to get it all set up like that. Colored with Gamsol and Prismacolor pencils for a change. ;)
Here's another Easter Bunny card. I used prismacolors but not gamsol and of course the background is a cuttlebug one.

Do you like this ribbon? My LSS here in town has the nicest ribbons and they are all 50cent a yard, no matter if they are simple or fancy. It's great because you can always get just the one yard and then decide if you want lots. I only really use a whole bunch of a few colors. I just orderd SU's ribbon in 6 common (for me) colors; red, black, white, brown, pink, green. You get tons of that ribbon so that will be nice to not run out. It's just solid grosgrain ribbon which is my true favorite.

Oh other big spending money news, I just joined Self Addressed. They were having a sale and I got 20% off my whole membership. I did the 6x6 kit for 6 months and it's only going to be $17.80 including shipping each month. I've admired their kits for a while. We can really blame Angie though (see blog on the side) she made me do it! heehee. I'm really excited about getting it.

Well I hear a baby giggling in his room so I guess naptime is over for today. :)

love ya,
Erin

Easter!

This card is my second square card. At least recently I know I've done one or two in the past. I'm having a hard time with the square format but I'm working on it. I love some that I've seen but am trying not to just directly copy them you know? So I made a square card a few days and it's in the circular file, but this one I think will do fine. The stamp is TAC and I colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol (for a change heehee). Embossed with cuttlebug of course and the little thing the ribbon is tied to is a cuttlebug die. (this die is the most important cutting die to have I believe, as it is super versatile) I stamped the same bunny, chick, egg stamp three times to make this strip, and I lined it up using my stamp-a-majig. I LOVE this tool. I cannot believe I only recently got it. How did I ever stamp before I had it.

Oh big news for me. I'm going to teach two classes at my LSS. A coloring with gamsol and prismacolor one and a minialbum one. I'm thining of doing spring cards in the coloring one and either a spring minialbum or a baby one and you could pick boy or girl. I'd love imput on the minialbum theme. I have to know Tuesday so I can get supplies, I have to have the sample in by Friday. YIKES! The LSS here is Scrap n' Stamp and they are just wonderful people who run that store. I can't wait to teach there.

Oh and it looks like The Stamp Shack is going to be fine. I think they are still working out the details as to how we will pay to keep it running but lots of people have come forward with donations and willingness to pay an annual fee if it comes to that. So one way or another it will stay up I think which is great news for me as I'm a total Shack Addict!

Don't forget to enter my current blog contest! It's a few posts down you can win a fat stack of stamped images just for giving me your blog link. Please do it on that post so I can find them all easily.

On that topic, I currently have everyone listed by first name. Should I put the actual blog names instead? It started with my handful of close friends so it just made sense to put, "Sherri" or "Angie" instead of their fancy pants blog names, but now I'm getting more and more and I think maybe I should switch... Input please? AND one last thing can we link blogs that we don't have official permission to link? Can I link any cool blog I see? I sure don't mind being linked all over but I'd hate to link someone and them go, "Who is this gross Erin girl, why is she linking my wonderful blog on her crappy one." So I'd like input on that too! I ask so much don't I?

Ok, love ya,

E

Even more cards, and bad news.

Here's more cards. I'm still in love with Pink Cat Studio of course. And my cuttlebug. The top card is for a flood swap I'm in. It is cool, I draw a name each week from this huge list and then everyone on the list who can sends that one person a card. So that person gets "flooded" with cards.

So the bad news is about my primary message board The Stamp Shack. This board is new, I believe it started in October, someone correct me if I'm wrong. Well in that time it has become super popular and apparently we are using an unfair amount of the bandwidth that is allowed to us on our shared server. So the board can either get rid of the gallery and chat room, or pay $139 a month to have a dedicated server. It's stinky because we just wouldn't be happy without our gallery. The chat room is fun and nice, but we could be without it if we had to. I will keep giving as much in donations as I can, and I think other people will too, but still I don't think we know if we will be able to upgrade or not. I'll be totally bummed if we can't.

More Pink Cat Cards

So today was a great mail day again, I got my cuttlebug embossing folders I ordered. As soon as I got my boys down for naps and did a few chores it was to the craft desk for me! I made these cute cards. These cats are Pink Cat Studio cats of course. I just can't get enough of these cats! The idea to emboss the plastic packaging was not my own I got it from this card that teabear over at The Stamp Shack did. Isn't she clever?

I also got stamps from Sherri in the mail today. It's the "Simple Shapes" kit from Stampin' Up! I'm excited to try that kit too.

Oh I'm sure you are all wondering which embossing folders I got? (sure Erin we all really care about your mail) Well I got : stylized flowers, bloom dots, friend, textile print, snowflakes, tiny bubbles, tiny mosaic texture, and heart blocks. I already have the swirl one. I cleaned out a special drawer for them all today so everything has a nice home now. :)

As if that wasn't enough I got one of my swap participant's packages today. I'm doing a swap for Stamping Bella images right now, we will each end up with 20 different images when it's done. How fun.

I want blog links!

Ok, another game! This one is very easy. I want blog links. I want tons and tons of them on my list here on my blog. So this is what I want you to do. Leave a comment on this post. Include a link to your blog. By doing so you are allowing me to link your blog on my blog. You are also entering a drawing. What's the prize this time you ask? A huge stack of my favorite images! I went through them and stamped all my favorites once or twice. It really is a nice sized stack. I have more stamps on order and when they get here if they make the cut I'll add them to the stack as well. I will be doing the drawing in one week so that everyone has time to find my blog and enter. I only want craft blogs, it can be all purpose if you have crafts too. I just don't want your all birdwatching blog or something like that. Any questions post them here and I'll answer.

Oh those of you who are already on my link list can still play, just put a comment like "Hey I want images, and I'm already on your list".

And for the record you can link my blog to any of yours! I love to jump from blog to blog using people's lists.

One final note, you must know by now that I'm into cutsie fun images. So there won't be any really classy or vintage images, if you ONLY like that stuff you might not love this prize. (but I still want your blog link to still put it!)

Ok, have fun, I want to get like 50 blog links, tell everyone you know!

Oh, I just thought of this, if you do not have a blog and want to link your gallery at The Stamp Shack or Split Coast Stampers or Two Peas that will work too, I'll make a seperate section for those. But please get the link to just YOUR gallery, not the whole "new uploads" section or something like that. :)