The Den Of InINKquity

Enjoy Life

2010-09-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Another Color Me Monday challenge! I want to showcase the new colors that we have with the new release of the September/Fall Idea book at my open house on Saturday Sept. 11th and Jeanette Lynton has three of those colors as a color combo! Sweet!! I didn't have any smoothie card stock (yet) so I inked up a brayer with smoothie ink and brayered the debossed side of an embossing folder, put the white daisy card stock in to the folder and ran it through my die cutting machine. The white flowers showed through and I sponged over them with smoothie ink.

Check out the stamp of the month from August (Something Splendid).

Can't wait 'til Monday rolls around again!

Card stock: Desert Sand, White Daisy

Ink: Desert Sand, Smoothie, Pear, Sky

Patterned Paper: Magnifique, Olivia

Stamp set: Something Special

Embellishments: Shimmer Brad, 3D Foam Tape

Techniques: Sponging, Embossing Folder, Direct to Paper ink, Paper Crumpling.

You Rock

2010-09-04T08:19:00.007-05:00

Whew, where did the time go??

I've always been intrigued by creative challenges, but don't always have the time to play along. But once I do, I'm so glad that I did! It always brings me to a place I probably would not have gone creatively.

For this challenge, it's pretty simple. Our founder Jeanette Lynton has a post each Monday with color combinations, plus she has photos of what she's made with them, layouts, cards and some altered items. It always seems to get my engine running if I'm at a standstill in my creative flow.

Here's my version. In all honesty, these are my least favorite colors, but I am satisfied with the results and I'm glad I played along!

Check out her blog by clicking here, or on the link on the right of my blog, you may be challenged too!

Cardstock: Cranberry, Outdoor Denim, Bamboo, Crystal Blue (CTMH)

Patterned Paper: Caboodle

Stamp: You Rock (CTMH)

Embellishment: Chipboard Stars (CTMH)

Other: Embossing Folder Stars (Quickutz)

Technique: Sanding, Stipple

For Someone Else

2010-02-20T09:42:00.010-06:00

I have several blogs I follow, many I scan through quickly and some catch my attention. This post (Taylored Expressions) happened to grab me and inspire me to make something for someone else. Someone I am sure to never meet.

I am saddened to think of women that bear children only to have them for a few minutes in their life, if at all. Complications are obvious in some situations, in others, there is no explanation why a baby dies. Leaving parents with endless thoughts of "why"?

I have a close friend who is remembering the sadness in the loss of their baby girl a year ago this month. I see her smile and she is herself but a part of her is just not the same, my heart goes out to her. It pains me to think there is nothing that I can do to comfort her, she has to do bear it herself.

With that in mind, I was compelled to participate in this card drive and I hope that you can find it in your heart to participate too. Click on this link to get all the details.

I followed the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge which freed up my 'thinking' time for a card layout. It's simplistic with many options.

I also follow Jennifer McGuire Ink. on her blog (she also has ongoing card drives, please check them out!) and incorporated a technique she demonstrated and I am very pleased with them. I made several very similar to what you see here, if not the same.

Here are the details:

Paper Pack: Veranda

Ink: Cocoa

Brads: Antique

Embossing Powder: CTMH Silver Pearl

Stamp Set: Butterfly Kiss

Hemp: Natural

God Bless You!

Pat The Rat

All the products used are from CTMH. If you love them click on my button here or on the right side of the blog and shop!

AMERICAN IDOL

2010-02-15T10:44:00.000-06:00

We loved the season David Cook won the title and being so close to the cities, we decided to take a little trip and check out the whole thing for ourselves!! Then of course when he became even more cool and famous he actually came to our neighboring city so we saw him again when it was just him!! Woo Hoo!

Either way, we had a ton of fun. Stadium photos are so horrible, especially when you're trying to get in the picture yourself while holding the camera!! Anyway, they're special memories for us so I don't really care how they turned out!!

I've raved about my digital cutter from Silhouette America and I had to get my hands on the new rhinestones and patterns the sil cuts for them. I'm in love with the incredible amount of possibilities the silhouette has to offer, and they keep coming out with new things to try!!

This layout features the rhinestones.

Rhinestone Detail

Blessings!!

Pat The Rat

Products used:

CTMH: Notebook paper pack,

Creative Memories: Large circle cutter

Silhouette: Rhinestones

In another post I will be showing my vinyl creation for my scrapping room wall, so fun!!

Waiting Upon The Lord

2010-01-24T14:34:00.010-06:00

My card took a bit longer than I had hoped it would to create. I wasn't happy with how it was turning out so a few tweaks here and tucks there and finally I had to decide it was done. The ultimate encouragement comes from the Lord and this verse states that ever so clearly. If you are at all like me, you run ahead of the Lord and think you can handle whatever you face each day. I tend to wait until my needs or concerns are so large that I can't imagine dealing with it without intervention from God. But, if I've learned anything, He wants to be a part of our lives in everything, not just what we assume are "God sized" things.

Blessings!

Pat The Rat

Products used:

CTMH: Veranda paper pack

Quickutz: Diamonds & Dots embossing folder.

Our Daily Bread: On Eagles Wings stamp set

Unknown: Ribbon (re-used from gift :) )

Technique: Colored Pencils and blending.

Top Stitch Creations

2010-01-21T06:44:00.009-06:00

I've been able to sneak away and create some cards. In keeping with my desire to use my new purchases at least three times before they get put away with their counterparts, I was able to use all things new (to me) on these cards! I am so glad I decided to do this!!

The new release of our Idea Book with CTMH brings new paper, which is my favorite purchase. I never second guess a purchase of paper from CTMH as they are always more stunning in person than in the book.

As usual, my photos do not portray the paper and colors as I had hoped. I must get the lighting situation fixed. I love natural light but it's hard to find at 5 in the morning, which is when I am usually blogging! At least you can see the detail.

Here's the list of products used. You can purchase them for yourself at my website and I'll list the items not from CTMH with their websites too!

God Bless!

Pat The Rat

My design is not my own, I copied to a certain degree a sample on the Hero Arts blog.

CTMH: Top Stitch paper pack, Soft Suede Pinwheels, Bitty Sparkles, Colonial White Mini Medley Accents.

Quickutz: Lines & Dots Embossing Folder

Our Daily Bread Designs: Sentiment

Papertrey Ink: Twine

Spring Idea Book Release!

2010-01-05T07:08:00.004-06:00

Welcoming the new year includes welcoming a new IDEA BOOK straight from Close To My Heart! It's chock full of new ideas, new layouts and of course new paper and stamps that we just can't live without!

I encourage you to contact me to get a copy of your own (johnsonp33@gmail.com). Until you do, you can check it out on my website!

God Bless You!

Pat the Rat

January 2010

2010-01-03T19:39:00.006-06:00

Here we are with another 12 months ahead of us! Well, lets hope its more than only 12 but, it's 12 for now until we have this feeling of a fresh clean start again! Hence my post. I haven't spilled my guts or put in my two cents since September of last year! Funny, I thought that when the kids got back in school I'd have more time for the little things... hmmm... I'll have to re-think that thought process.

Anyway, I have a card to share! It isn't as though I haven't been creating, heavens! I've actually had the opportunity to give some of my creations to my ladies Bible study group. Our group sends cards to people in our congregation and community that need a bit of encouragement, or to acknowledge their special day. This is right up my alley and therefore I jumped right in!

Chipboard detail

I hope to make a few more and get them posted soon.

Happy New Year!

God Bless You!

Pat The Rat

Out of Commission

2009-09-26T13:43:00.003-05:00

September 26, 2009

My kids and husband are out at school enjoying a fun fest that we hold every year. Why am I here writing this instead of being with them you ask? WELL – I reached over my desk to retrieve something and felt a jolt run from my low back down my leg. My back is out and no longer functioning! OWIE! So, I am taking this ‘opportunity’ to upload some of my latest creations and then post them! On the bright side, if this hadn’t happened, I’d never get get this done! If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t posted for quite some time. I enjoy the creating part more than the blogging! But now that I have all these latest and greatest uploaded - I’ll look like all I ever have to do is create and blog! Never mind the piles on my desk, kitchen sink or laundry room!! I best not jump ahead of myself here, let’s just take one day at a time.

I’m having so much doggone fun playing! I think why it’s become so much more rewarding for me, is that I put all my recently purchased goodies in a bin and use them over and over again so it doesn’t get forgotten. When I feel that I’ve used it enough, I put it away and start with something else in the bin and do it all over again. It’s a shame to think I’ve purchased some wonderful things and they get put away and forgotten!

So, where to start:

I love, love, love, this quote! I purchased this stamp set from Cornish Heritage Farms a while back and have been itching to play with it.

I used my colored pencils and cloud stencil I bought a hundred years ago and I think it turned out ok! I’d tweak it here and there if I did it again, but I think we could say that about everything we create couldn’t we??

Thanks for checking in! Take it easy and don’t reach over your desk whatever you do! You might end up being forced to slow down in spite of yourself…

God Bless You My Friends!!

Pat The Rat

Green Bay Packer Game

2009-08-11T15:50:00.012-05:00

I wanted to join in on the silhouette fun and use one of those funky designs I see everywhere. I know you can purchase paper that looks like lace or other design for fun overlays, but being a little conservative, I purchase a design for 1.99 and then make them any color, any size and do whatever I want to them! This is the beauty of the Quickutz Silhouette!

For this two page layout, I made the yellow overlay to add some color to the pages without overwhelming them. I also made them dimensional in that I cut each design three times and glued them together - presto - self made chipboard!! Who's up for that?? With Quickutz coming out with several new designs on a regular basis, I always have several to choose from! It makes me excited to think about what they'll think of next.

Don't get me wrong, nothing will replace my love for stamps and paper! After all - Close To My Heart will release it's Fall/Winter Idea Book September 1st!! One of the perks of being a consultant with CTMH is that I get Idea books in advance! I am in love once again with all the new goodies! The paper packs are always my favorite! Check my website for the new Idea Book release and for ongoing specials you don't want to miss!

Hope you enjoy the pages!

There you have it, our girlies at a Packer Game!

By the way - the Bears lost (again) !!!

God Bless!!

Pat The Rat

A card to share

2009-07-26T13:05:00.005-05:00

Hello all! I've been having a blast lately with summer activities, company ((hugs to my visitors)), David Cook concerts, working and the all around everyday! Busy isn't so bad when it's spent with family!

I've been able to squirrel away some time in my scrapping room and get some much needed down time. I've actually been able to complete several pages for our scrapbooks and some cards to boot, which explains the absence on the blog here. I'll be posting them when I get a chance again but for now, here's a peek at something I put together. I can't get enough of Wishes, a new publication from Jeanette Lynton and Close To My Heart. If you've ever wanted to learn how to make cards, or maybe need some inspiration, this is it!! Ton's of cards, several ideas for each, stamps ribbons, you name it! I find something new all the time I either copy exact, or just use a component of the card and make it my own.

Made with the new Back Country paper pack and Backwoods stamp set and the pattern 'Top Band' from Wishes.

Thanks for checking it out!

Pat The Rat

4th of July Card

2009-07-04T07:22:00.005-05:00

I really should be cutting watermelon and making a dessert for our upcoming picnic, but, I saw a video from Jennifer McGuire Ink. and thought that I should try the technique she was demonstrating. BTW Jennifer ROCKS!!

While I don't have the products she is demonstrating this technique with, I do have all of the CTMH products on hand that are similar and thought I should give it a try with them! I'm pleasantly surprised! Sometimes the properties of different inks and papers work in different ways so I thought it might not look the way I envisioned but it worked. So, here's what I used and hopefully it inspires you to give it a go!

I stamped the stars on white daisy with create a shade pearl paint and gave it shot with the heat gun, then inked up some sponges with holiday red and star spangled blue and rubbed all over the dried image, using the baby wipe like Jennifer's video advises to make the image pop. I inked up a background stamp I purchased from Cornish Heritage Farms (love that place too!!) and dabbed off some of the ink from the dots to get a partially stamped polka dot background. I layered the completed image with holiday red and star spangled blue card stock adhered my little stars and ribbons and ta da - my little celebration of Independence to share!

I hope that you visit these sites, even though I am partial to my CTMH products, these sites are a well spring of techniques and inspiration!!

Have a happy day!

Pat The Rat

Happy Independence Day!!

2009-07-04T05:53:00.003-05:00

After peeking through the news reports today, I'm feeling especially privileged to live in the land that I love! Although we aren't perfect, we are free. Memorial Day and Independence Day are not only a day to celebrate but a day to reflect upon our freedom and that it has cost so many throughout our history. A day to be thankful to God and to those who have given their lives to make it free. So to anyone out there in blog land that has served, lost a loved one defending our liberties - I want to say a heartfelt thank you for your service to me, to my family, to my country.

Sincerely,

Pat The Rat

Six cards and puppy update

2009-06-24T16:32:00.008-05:00

Greetings fellow paper addicts! I just got done watching "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" with my daughter. What a great show! I hate to admit, I have felt very much the same way when the main character described her obsession of shopping to her boss/boyfriend. "The world is happier when I buy things, but, then it gets sad and I have to do it again." Whoo hoo - wake up call - I felt that way when I was a quilter! I don't fall into that trap quite as easily with scrapping, although I do find it tempting with so many new products fresh off the presses, so pretty and new, that 'gotta have it' feeling runs right through my blood... you get the picture.

Anyway, back OT! The cards!!

I made 16 cards each of 6 different designs. I used some familiar CTMH paper packs and card designs from the new Wishes how to book from CTMH. But, the most fun was using up random scraps of paper I've been saving, not necessarily CTMH products but none the less, nice paper! It was a great feeling to see that my efforts in sorting and organizing all that left over paper from scrapping paid off!

While the cards were purposely made with a more simplistic design, I enjoyed the process of each one which is key for me. I will give these to my parents {hugs} who will be hosting a reunion for their Army buddies. I think it will be a nice addition to the gift baskets given out.

I have yet to master the photography of these types of items, sooner or later, I'll catch on, until then, you'll have to squint a bit maybe... (hee hee..)

Update on our puppy: He is still at the animal hospital. They did several tests and he is perking back up but still on the mend. It doesn't look as though they will do surgery for a blockage but his esophagus and stomach have been irritated and he's not too interested in eating. So, we are hoping he can come home to his own comfy bed and we can put this all behind us. Thank you for your kind words regarding our little buddy.

God Bless!

Pat The Rat

Six cards and a sick puppy

2009-06-22T17:19:00.006-05:00

Whew, it's been rather crazy around here. My daughter's puppy (almost one year) chewed up something that disagrees with the normal activity of a dog! We know for sure he chewed on some decorative wooden type balls I had on the coffee table (YES I do feel to blame - I should have known better). But we don't know for sure if that is what is making him sick. On Sunday, we took him into the ER vet (never knew there was such a thing) to get him checked out. After all, how many times should a puppy have to throw up before he gets help?? He was dehydrated and needed IV fluids, they took x-rays and gave him anti-vomiting meds and kept him overnight. We had hopes we'd be bringing him home in the morning but we were instructed to go straight to our regular vet, because he hadn't improved enough to go home. There he sits after a day full of tests alone! (sniff!) They performed barium studies to see if he has a blockage, more x-rays and more blood work. What's a mom (and dog lover) to do? I see this pathetic little 10 pound puppy shivering in the arms of my 11 year old who is wiping away tears?? If this all comes out right - I smell a MasterCard commercial in the future on this blog.

Anyway - here is the little guy, little IV in his paw. He's just like a kid, all stinky and shaking from vomiting so much. One of the upsides of this is that I see my daughter full of affection caring for him and it makes me burst with pride at how brave she is.

I guess I'll post the six cards next time. Seems a bit inappropriate right now to be yakking about cards and techniques and all that.

Thanks for following along even though it's not all cards and scrapping. I'm sure there's a few dog owners out there who can relate.

Thank you also for the kind comments regarding my last post and photo.

God Bless YOU!!

Pat The Rat

Back Pack through Europe!

2009-06-16T08:25:00.008-05:00

Well, not really....

I just thought that was something fun I could say that I was doing since I've not been posting for such a long time. I wish that were the case!

I've been bogged down and find myself needing to escape the mud and play! Unfortunately, working from home and now having my daughters home all day tend to take up a bit more of my time. You think I'd get used to that change, it does happen about this time every summer! Oh well, I'd never give up the precious few moments I have with my girls!

Our vacation to San Diego was wonderful and restful! Our original unit to rent was located next to a unit that caught on fire about two days before we left Wisconsin - bad news - ours was uninhabitable because of it! BUT the good news was that another unit was available which was facing the ocean! Talk about being lucky!!

In my quest to master my camera and to take better photos, I took several pictures on our vacation. You know, the beach, the animals at the park, the ocean, sunsets and of course the family. I actually shot this one and I'm so proud of it! No planning or paying the subjects to fly by right at the right moment - I was so excited when I reviewed the photos later in the night. I was mainly playing with the zoom lens a bit while the sun was setting over the ocean.

We were waiting for our names to be called for our reservation and I was shooting everything in site! (gotta love that digital!) Anyway, I'm glad to have the opportunity to share it with you. Thank you for letting me be gitty about it. {big grin}

Thanks for hanging in with me and my absence.

Tomorrow I hope to post some cards I made for my parents for a special event their hosting in September.

God Bless!

Pat The Rat

AWARD!!

2009-05-27T13:04:00.003-05:00

I just got back from vacation with hopefully some cool photos to share. Unfortunately I'll have a lot of catching up to do for work but thought I'd post a quick note and thank you for Tammy H. My up line (and friend) with CTMH.

She's awarded me the Lemonade Stand Award!!

I have some follow up to do with this award but I just wanted to shout out and say Yayy!!! Thank You Tammy!! Check out her blog to see what it's all about!

Monday, Monday

2009-05-18T11:21:00.005-05:00

Whew, where has the time gone?? I've always got a song buzzing in my head and today it's 'Monday, Monday' - which is the only part of the song I know!! HA!!!

Well, I had the Tickled Pink workshop on the 16th, Saturday with 3 lovely ladies!! We had a ton of fun! It was my way of celebrating National Scrap booking Month. Everyone went home inspired to continue creating, which is my goal as a consultant, to ignite a creative fire in YOU!!

I have my own personal layouts to post but haven't had the opportunity. We are heading out for vacation in a few days and I'm scrambling to get all my ducks in a row before flight time!! Woo Hoo! It's been a looooong time since we've gotten away from the house and is much needed. Besides, our last adventure to the Grand Canyon was a bit (ahem) less than adventurous...See the prior post for the deets on that.

I did however, receive my NEW PRODUCTS on Friday and have been drooling over the goodies and can't wait to get in and glue something - but, it will have to wait until I get back - I may have to bring my adhesive with, just to have it near me , or maybe some glitter, just so a speck can find it's way to my forehead like it always does. Some gals hate that, I consider myself 'blinged' if I spot glitter on my person somewhere - what will I do for so many days without scrapping??? Or blabbing along on this blog??

I will hopefully have photos to share of our adventure - don't wait for any beach pictures - I'll take some, but you'll never see me post them! Yikes!!

For today - check out this piece of work! LOVE IT!!!! (picture Zak and Wheezy from Dragon Tales) I'm always up for inspiration and this one takes the cake!! CARDS CARDS and more CARDS!

Want one for yourself??? Hop on over to my website and place an order! It's loaded!!

Have a happy Monday!!

God Bless You!!

Pat The Rat

GRAND CANYON? and a color challenge

2009-05-14T11:09:00.004-05:00

Good morning to all! I've been rather quiet on my blog, I bet my husband wishes the same when he's watching 'House'! Anyway, Jeanette Lynton, the CEO/founder and fabtabulous designer at CTMH is now posting a 'Color Me Monday' challenge! So because I like to do more than one thing at a time, I used her challenge colors and the Starting Blox layout challenge over at Scrapyland's blog to accomplish this page.

For me, it was difficult because I had so much white space to deal with, but in the end I think it turned out fine. I cut a large snowflake with my Silhouette and sponged over it on the background paper, using it as a stencil. I thought it calmed down the white space.

As for the story of the crazy photo - My husband and I were in Las Vegas for a few days and decided to buzz on over to the Grand Canyon (not like running to the next door neighbor's mind you) and it began to snow and snow... and snow......

By the time we drove in, it was a complete white out!! So, long story short - I STILL HAVE NOT SEEN THE GRAND CANYON!! But I have this crazy picture of us to remember the moment and the laughs!

With that, I hope you go out and give your flowering shrubs and early tulips some extra lovin' and thank the good Lord above for their beauty and while your at it, stop complaining that you have to mow the grass!! :) OK getting off my soapbox now

God Bless!

Pat The Rat

Yay hay it's FRIDAY!!

2009-04-17T15:27:00.006-05:00

Good afternoon! I'm so lifted - the sun is shining, the sky is clear and when I picked up my kids from school my dashboard announced a 73 degree day!! Not only that - I was able to spend some time with an old friend and we made cards, ate chocolate, caught up on each other's lives and generally just had a wonderful time together! Sending hugs to you Tami :)

I've begun re-organizing my stamp collection. Because CTMH stamps are acrylic, I don't have to deal with the wood blocks, so I can store several stamp sets easily. My favorite bin for them are the CD bins from Wal-Mart. If you've never seen them they look like small milk crates, made perfect for the roughly 6 x 6 stamp packaging of these stamps. They are physically organized alphabetically but rummaging through each one to find just the right stamp was a bugger! I have some type of organization set up for it but now I'm thinking that it should be further organized for faster use. I haven't figured it out yet but the wheels are turning and I LOVE to be organized! When it's all done, I'll have to post it and say like my little nephew said about himself one day "I so proud of me momma".

I'm posting my starting blox from Scrapy Land. I so love to have an idea to follow, it's both challenging and rewarding because a page is done quickly and I didn't have to put a lot of thinking into it and it's beautiful!!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and can take something from it to put into your creations!

sorry the photos are rather dull, I'm working on that too:)

Supplies:

Paper: CTMH Emporium,

Ink: CTMH

Stamps: August Word Puzzle, April Word Puzzle, Frame Of Mind, CTMH

Die cuts: QK Silhouette

Other: Pop Dots

God Bless You!

Pat The Rat

2009-04-12T20:07:00.013-05:00

My sister challenged me to a duel, she double dogged dared me! Sheesh! I couldn't pass it up! We were to have the same photos (of our nephew) and follow along the Scrapyland's starting blox layout challenge. It was tons of fun, waiting on the edge of our seats wondering what each others layout looked like! We live quite a few miles apart so it wasn't like I could hop on over and peek through her scrapping room - not that I'd ever do that... So until Scrapyland posted the entries I waited to post mine, I wouldn't want to let the cat out of the bag! It was quite a change to create a page with 'boy' things. I have two girlies and everything is fluffy and pink! Not for this little man!

Supplies:

Paper: CTMH - Majestic Blue

Ink: CTMH

Stamps: CTMH - Gracious Greetings, Lovely Buckles, Charming Upper Case, Doodle Alphabet

Other: QK Silhouette - Skull & Swords, Pirate Ship, Title

Pat the Rat

Ready Or Not

2009-04-09T09:05:00.032-05:00

Over at scrapylandblogspot.com is a challenge to copy as close as you can a sketch that is given out on Sunday and have it ready by Thursday so it can be posted by Friday whew! It forces me to do a number of things, pick out pictures appropriate for the suggested layout which can sometimes be a challenge because, let's admit it, every photo of a child is precious right?? It also forces me out of the 'same old same old' layout ditch is sometimes find myself stuck in. Although CTMH has great how to books that usually take care of that for me! Plus the focus is on our Quickutz die system. Which I have, but don't purchase dies like my addicted sister, I own a Silhouette which is much like the Cricut but better (in my humble opinion :)) So, here's my first post, my second post will come later as it was a challenge from my sister (yes the addicted one...) to use the same photos and submit them for the same challenge - whew again! Not only did we submit the layout we submitted cards too!

Much more to blabber about, but I'm off to Minong to meet up with Tammy H. to pick up my very own copies of the NEW IDEA BOOK which will be released to the public on May 1st - wouldn't you like to be the first to have your hands on that little gem?? Want a sneakie peekie??

OK Clicketh Here

Enough chit chat time for show and tell:

(Oops, the picture's a bit dark)

God Bless You Today and as my darling daughter says, "Be a ray of sunshine on a gloomy flower"!!

Pat The Rat

Supplies: Paper: Sonota (CTMH):

Rub Ons: (CTMH)

Stamps: Woodcut Alphabet, Frame of Mind (CTMH)

QK: Silhouette Birthday cake, border

Other: Stickles

Supplies Card:

Paper: Sonota (CTMH)

Stamps: Comforting Thoughts, With Love (CTMH)

Colored Pencils: (CTMH)

Ink: (CTMH)

Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder

Little Boy Blue

2009-04-04T10:37:00.008-05:00

Happy Saturday to you!
I've wanted to scrap for a while and finally had an opportunity to get to it this morning and I thought it would be nice to share my work with you here. This paper pack is an 'oldie' from last May. It's so rich in colors and texture. I had a hard time using this paper simply because it wont be released again that I know of. I guess things don't change much over the years, when I was a kid I was this way with a new box of crayons, I loved the smell of them and the sharp points and hated to use them up! Sounds silly I guess, they were just so pretty sitting there all in a row shiny and new! Maybe that's why I have such a collection of paper in the 'Den' I think they are so nice sitting there and looking pretty!

Hope you have a great Saturday

Pat The Rat

Supplies:

Paper: CTMH Serendipity

Ink: CTMH

Buttons: CTMH

Stamps: CTMH Serendipity

Other: QK Silhouette die cut letters

I won't ever say it again...

2009-04-02T19:58:00.004-05:00

I called my friend and asked her if she ever remembered me saying (so smartly!) "I'd rather have a root canal than do that!" Whatever I was referring to when I said it has now changed! I'll never say it again! NO I'D RATHER NOT HAVE A ROOT CANAL THAN DO SOMETHING I'D RATHER NOT DO (makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it??)

What I'm trying to get at is that it was easy to say that BEFORE I ever had a root canal, now I know how that feels and I take it all back!! OUUCH!! Dang! I don't know what's worse the throbbing ache of a sensitive tooth (for which I've had for about 3 years now), the gigantic swollen tongue and cheek, or the dull ache of my whole head when the Novocaine finally wore off.

Anyway, once I got over the fear of sitting in the chair and hearing the drills (why don't they plug your ears with great music??) my pulse slowed to a moderate to high pace rather than the speeding train it was when I came in the door. It finally slowed to a normal rate when I was napping after the whole ordeal. Whew, I guess my husband was right (I can say this here, because he'll never read this blog) I'm a stubborn old mule - it took unbearable pain for me to finally break down and get it fixed. What can I say?? I'm a Swedish Indian, it's in my blood! Hee Hee!! What I thought would be a horrible experience wasn't nearly the monster I had made it out to be!

Pat The Rat

A sweet note - my hubby rushed home from work when I called crying on the phone to tell him that I was going to finally get it over with to take me there so I wouldn't have to be there on my own. He's such a honey, even if he thinks I'm stubborn :)

April's Stamp of The Month

2009-04-01T18:57:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite things about CTMH (Close To My Heart) is that their line of products never get stagnant or boring. Just about the time I've familiarized myself with the recent Idea Book and all the goodies I bought, they come out with another Idea Book with a whole new bunch of goodies! Now I call that keepin' it fresh!! May 1st is yet another release of the Summer Idea Book packed full of beautiful, inspiring projects I can't wait to share!

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to share my recent creation. I was itching to get at the Emporium paper pack (don't you just love the names they give everything??) While I did not think of it as a masculine themed paper, it worked really well with this card. I started with a blank in my head when I began this project, the only thing I knew was that I wanted to use this stamp set. I decided to tap the best card making resource I know of - Jeanette Lynton's Originals. It's a huge, hard cover, spiral bound book, full of card sketches to copy or use as a spring board to your own creations. I just love to get help especially since I work either so early in the morning or late in the evening when my creativity is running low.

I hope I have inspired you in some way to sit down and create something special to you!

God Bless!

Pat the Rat

Supplies: All CTMH

Paper: Emporium

Stamp: World's Best Dad (April SOTM)

INK: Cocoa, Indian Corn Blue

Other: Colored pencils, dimensional adhesive

This stamp set can be yours for free! A $22.95 value! Click on my website for ordering information.

I guess it's "Out Like A Lion"

2009-03-31T13:55:00.005-05:00

Hmmm... I was told once that I should stop complaining about the weather - after all I do live in Northern Wisconsin. So, I'll leave the actual words on my tounge and just say hmmm....

Something to look forward to - a new Stamp of the Month to show off!

Beginning in April for the entire month, this could be yours for free!! It's a promise of lazy days of summer yet to come, hang in there, summer's coming!!

Pat The Rat

Butterflies

2009-03-27T14:18:00.006-05:00

Short post - I have a class tomorrow where my customer wanted to use the March Stamp Of The Month (These beautiful butterflies) with a two color stamping technique. So pretty, these colors! I also love the sentiment because I don't know a person alive who isn't pleased with the flutters of a butterfly!

Spring should be around the corner and I know it is, but the robin I happened to see today had galoshes on with snow shoes on the soles, what does that tell you, 'in like a lion, out like a lamb' my eye!! It's been snowing, raining, cold, frost, snowing again, then it melts maybe March should be renamed Liamb, because it can't decide!

Anyway, a simple card to enjoy!

Pat The Rat

Supplies:

Paper, CTMH Paper Garden

Ink, CTMH

Other, Nestabilities, prisma glitter (CTMH)

Unforgettable, Popup Flowers & Flourishes

2009-03-26T11:21:00.009-05:00

It's about lunchtime here and I'm going buggy because I usually have my so called ducks in a row by now! The laundry is multiplying and the dishes are getting moldy but none the less, I have a layout to share!
I started playing along with Scrapyland's Starting Blox. I believe that participating in the sketches stretches my creativity and challenges me to use what I have before I go out and buy more (I can't believe I just said that! I must have a fever..) I encourage you to play along and stretch your creativity too! This photograph was taken roughly 20 years ago of my wonderful sisters - of course I'm in there too. Funny what floods your mind when you see yourself 20 years ago. No kids, where we were living, where I was working (what did I weigh... :)- ) it's a blessing to look back and have fond memories.

The ancient Turtle on Kung Fu Panda said it best "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that's why it's called present"

God Bless You TODAY!

Pat The Rat

Supplies:

Paper: Unforgettable CTMH

Ink: CTMH

Die cuts: QK Silhouette, pop up flower, and flourish

Stamps: Hero Arts

Embellishments: Brads, CTMH, pop dots

Back to the grind!

2009-03-22T16:43:00.004-05:00

After an incredibly fun weekend with the sistahood, I'm geared up to play even more, probably for two reasons, I didn't get much accomplished and tomorrow is MONDAY!! Bleh, time to go back to work!
I will post eventually what I worked on and will need to put the finishing touches on. Why do scrappers know full well they will never, ever, not in a million years, use every thing in the 50 pound totes and carryalls we drag in and out and in and out. I think it should count as work and my husband (whom I work for) should give me another day off!!
In a more serious note, spending time with my sisters and family is far more precious to me than my passion for paper, love ya girls, thanks for increasing my laugh lines!

One last thing - check out this blog, I'm hoping to jump in and play along with the starting blox. Why don't you come along and play too??

P.S. This blog belongs to an incredible website called 'Scrapyland' just in case you have an empty spot in your collection of scrapping goodies that needs to be filled!!

Can You Relate?

2009-03-19T08:10:00.007-05:00

I should know better! I'm so not a night owl! After an hour of fussing with my photos for this post and spilling my story I ended up deleting the post! ACKKKKKKH!

If you've ever been a fan of Warner Brothers and Bugs Bunny... picture a very angry Yosemite Sam with his tiny little feet and gigantic head jumping up and down spewing all kinds of garbled speech because he's been outwitted by that 'wascally wabbit' AGAIN!! That was me at about 11:32 pm last night. Needless to say, I'm no quitter (except when I'm on the treadmill) I'll try this again!

Whew... done with that nonsense, on to the important things!

My card! My girls are both fighting for this card for their birthday, one wants it filled with an ITunes gift card, the other with a gift card to Claires, we'll have to see about that!

The paper was the inspiration because it's so dreamy, it brings me back to when we could only watch Disney movies in the theaters and they were truly magical!

I'm on my way to spend a scrapping weekend with my sisters and nieces.

There's never a dull moment with the coffee pot working over time and giggles all around, sometimes tears because we share so much. We don't live close so these times are precious!

God Bless Your Day!!

Pat The Rat

List of Ingredients:

All paper CTMH Daydreams paper pack, Ink CTMH, Stamps-CTMH, Connections and Dream Wishes. Extra goodies Stickles, Cuttlebug embossing folder - pindot, Quickutz embossing die - curls.

Ahhhh... Friday

2009-03-13T20:49:00.003-05:00

Setting up for a busy weekend and I don't see a minute to play in my Den available!!! NUTS, now where will I get my peace of mind back?? Possibly a carmel moolate from DQ??? Gotta love the moo...

I'd love to post somethin' grand but I'll have to put up with a short post!

If you haven't check out my website give it a glance! CTMH has an incredible 'how to series' using our products in ways I never would have imagined!! Click on 'CTMH TV in the menu and you'll be able to watch any of the videos for inspiration!!

Here's a peek at March Stamp of the Month

Starting Again

2009-03-12T08:42:00.008-05:00

I've started this page about a dozen times and after much reflection, I'm just going to start! I'll learn along the way - this is a stretch for me because I want to know all the details first then jump in. That's next to impossible since this blogging world is ever changing isn't it?

What's on the agenda today? Tax prep and house cleaning - boring for paper addict! Trust me, I'll sneak in some time to at least put my hands to ink photos and stamps!

One card of 8 that I made for my daughter's 5th grade teacher - she's such a gem!

INK: Close To My Heart

STAMPS: Pin Dot Scrapblock-Cornish Heritage Farms

TOOLS: Nestabilities

OTHER: KOOH-I-NOOR woodless colored pencils, low oder paint thinner

PAPER: Close to My Heart, scraps unknown

I've caught the colored pencil/paint thinner technique bug (if you can call it that) and wanted to give it a try! These stamps from Stampin Up worked out quite nicely, I wish I could remember the set, I purchased it so many years ago and they are still darling today!! Like all new techniques I'll need to improve on them plus I'll have to practice the photography too. Lot's to do and none of it is getting my taxes done...

If you've caught this blog - I've been following along with the scavenger hunt at Our Daily Bread Designs - What fun!!! I just wish I knew what a NeoPod was...

Make your day happy!

Pat the Rat