New Year!

Whoa! What happened to the old year!!! For me this year has been filled with challenges. For the last 6 months it was always something! It put many things into perspective and looking back I see why they had to happen. It was a wake up call for me of sorts...So on with the New Year! Lets get out of this year and hope for better things to come!

Check out the new numbers stamp set that are in my shop! I used them for my December Daily! I needed a big set of numbers for my dates and since I needed them, thought you might too! The numbers are over 1 1/4" (3.175 cm) tall x about 1" (2.54 cm) wide for the zero. I really like this set, but I'm thinking other style of numbers would be fun...who knows what I'll come up with!

If you haven't signed up for my enewsletter I encourage you to do so! I have a 20% off code coming the new month of the new year!!! There will also be chances to win new stamps before they hit the shop and sneak peeks at new stamps as they are in the works! Sign up here http://eepurl.com/cspoz so that you don't miss a thing! Like the new set of numbers!!! ;)

Here is one page using the number 1. I haven't had the chance to add the others. I would rather scan them instead of taking photos and having to straighten them out. Just need to make the time to do this!

My album is 8x8 and on every day is a 2" square that I distressed with one of 4 colors of Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger. I used ColorBox ink in Dragonfly Black to stamp the number then I embossed with Zing embossing powder in Gold. I've been wanting to carry their embossing powder for some time and I may start this year!!! Love that stuff!!!

So here's to a new year! New ideas, new creative outlets and new products in the shop!!!

More Matchbook stamps!!!

First a word to thank all my customers/friends, Thank you all for the kind wishes, prayers and understanding of the delay in your orders. For those who haven't heard I was having gallbladder attacks for awhile. The last couple months they started to come more frequently and by August I was not only having more attacks, but they were becoming more severe. I was unable to keep up with my order and on the 19th of August I went to the emergency room. They ran all the fun tests and admitted me to the hospital for emergency surgery the next day. The infection was pretty bad and they kept me in the hospital for 5 days, pumping me with antibiotics and fluids. It took me a good 2 1/2 weeks to get the strength to start making stamps again....with a little rest inbetween! But I'm happy to say the orders are almost all caught up and out the door!!!! Everyone has been so sweet and all the kind words and new friendships have helped me take care of myself and heal so much faster.  From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!!!

And NOW>>>>Here they are! A basket full of matchbook stamps ready to be added to your order. Each order gets one matchbook stamps, they are around the size of a quarter, as seen in a previous post. I try and match the stamp with the stamps that are in your order. I also try to keep track of any matchbook stamps I may have sent you in previous orders. But if you want to make sure you get a specific one or want the same one just leave me a note!!! I think they are cute and are a perfect background stamp if used over and over!

This is the five that are available now. I do have a couple that I don't make often and there is many more in the works!

Postcard, Bat, Corner Flourish, Plumeria, and Balloon

Hurry back...I hope to be posting some new stamps soon to be available!!! A hint...The bat has a big brother! ;)

Thanks again

Sheila

Finally! The winner is.......

Sorry for the delay folks! I had several orders I needed to take care of, get the little guy ready for school (it's starts next week!) and some trouble with stomach issues UGH! But I'm finally able to get this done!!!
I want to thank Clare for getting this together. I've had fun reading the comments and making new friends. I wanted to also thank everyone who visited my blog and signed up for the enewsletter! I'll be sending it out with images of new stamp releases and let you have a sneak peek at stamps that in the works also with a code to get special discounts for my enewsletter subscribers!!!

And NOW the winner, whos name was drawn out of a hat by my 8 year old.......JADE! Congratulations!!!!
Thank you everyone again for playing along and visiting my blog!!!!

Sorry for the mix up on the coupon code...It's actually 10% of your order!! Use 10EQUALS10 for the month of August to take advantage of the deal.
Hope to see you around my shop!!!

Scappers Summer Sale @ Etsy Blog Hop

Sorry for the delay! Lately it seems to be the story of my life! And Thank You Sue from http://www.suesfabulouslife.blogspot.com/ for the loving words!
Now!!!  Welcome to my blog! Head on over to my etsy shop and use 10equals10 for 10% off your shipping!!! Also all orders get a matchbook stamp!!! This code will be good for the rest of August so hurry over!!! And for the prize. comment on this post and get a chance to win a stamp of your chose worth $5.00! Or take $5.00 off any higher priced stamps! Drawing winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon!!!

And now the next stop on the hop is........

http://www.endlessinkabilities.blogspot.com/ so hurry to visit her blog and have a chance at prizes and see her specials! Remember there is prizes along the hop....You don't want to miss out!!!!!

Here is the list of blogs to hop incase you missed any!!!!
http://www.cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com/
http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/
http://www.annafearer.blogspot.com/
http://www.wewillalwayshaveparis.com/
http://thetwintornadosmommy.blogspot.com/
http://www.suesfabulouslife.blogspot.com/
http://sheilaoxley.blogspot.com/ ~ You are here!!!
http://www.endlessinkabilities.blogspot.com/
http://www.dtsartblog.com/

New New New!!!

I have been very busy with design to turn into stamps!!! I've teamed up with Alura on Etsy. She has so many fantastic items from the Victorian era!!! Plus check out her other items, she is very crafty!
She has sent me some wonderful illustrations from Victorian times and I've been having a blast! I have been getting them ready for the stamp making process. In fact, I have 2 from her collection that I already made into stamps...and you know I just can't resist playing!!! I'm getting the insert cards ready and soon they should be in the shop for sale! I can't wait to show you!!!

Besides those 2 new sets I also have several others that just need the insert cards done and will soon be in the shop. One set is great for all my Etsy, Zibbets and ArtFire friends, they are little thank yous. There are 8 different stamps in this set. From Thank you in several differnt fonts to Always a Pleasure, Thanks a Bunch, and Thank you for your continued support. So that you always have the perfect thank you for that perfect customer!!!

So off I go to complete the packaging for these, take photos and load them to my shops.... And of course give you a look at the finished stamps too!!! So don't go to far! Or better yet sign up to my Enewsletter on the right!!! And have it deposited into your email box!

A little extra!

Aren't they cute!!! Just a little bit of a stamp, but full of many uses! They are my matchbook promo stamps. With every order you will get one of these mini stamps! Right now I have the balloon, Plumeria flower, and "Hi!". I do have several others in the works and they will be available within the coming weeks. So many fun stamps in store...actually not in store! You can only get these sweet little stamps with an order!

Here is a close up of the balloon next to a quarter. I hope this helps give you an idea of the size. Just big enough for a little embellishment on a card or tag or stamp a bunch of times for a background on a layout! Enjoy!!!

Marie Antoinette, Copics and what's in store...soon

I've been working on a few new stamps and this lovely lady is one of them! Introducing Marie Antoinette!!! I also found a minute to color her in with my copic markers!!! I haven't used them to often so I'm very pleased by how she turned out. So keep a look out for the Queen along with her monogram and crownto complete the set!

Some other set that I plan on releasing soon are "Backyard Critters", "Timmy's Lines", and  "A little Thanks". There are also several still getting the final touches a Celtic Cross, Gears and Cogs, Pocket Watch, and Paris Fashion just to name a few! If you're curious about what's happening and when, sign up for my enewsletter on the right. Or convo me through ETSY anytime!!!! I love to chat!

A new friend!

He arrived yesterday. Wrapped in very cheerful paper in a large envelope. When I saw the return address label with the picture of who was inside I handed it to my little guy. He knew nothing of what could be inside! When I helped out Sherman and handed him to Timmy, that was it! True love! Timmy has taken it with him everywhere.... To bed, the dinner table, the petstore and Target! He's the first thing he grabs in the morning and the last thing he let's go of before falling asleep. Yes I think Timmy likes his new friend!!! Now I've seen Sherman for awhile and was determinded to get one for him. Everytime I went to Holly's shop, KookyCritters I just smiled. How can you not smile at these fun kooky critters!!! You may have remember I did a previous post of this shop. I helped make a stamp for her and she used it on the tag that had the story about Sherman. Which by the way, my son absolutely loved reading! And since this monster is a Tooth Fairy pillow, Timmy wanted  to know when he was going to lose a tooth!!! So Sherman has made his way into Timmy heart and our family and I have a feeling that this is the begining of a beautifully kooky relationship!

Trilobites on Journals!!!

I think this smile says it all!!! At least it says how happy Timmy is with his new journal! I found this wonderful Etsy shop that makes journal covers, billfolds, wallets and ipod/iphone covers! Not only does she create these wonderful items, she stamps on them too! How unique!!! One of my new Adventure sets was A Blast From The Past. It has a trilobite in it and was inspired by Timmy's love of fossils. I chatted with InBlue and mailed my set to her so she could work her magic! Timmy was able to choose if he wanted leather or vinyl and what color vinyl he wanted his journal cover to be! So many options!!! And the nice thing is it's a cover so later on when he is older he would still be able to use it, just pop a new book into it and he's ready to go!
Well, yesterday when it came in the mail Timmy was as thrilled as could be! He held it and flipped through the pages talking about all the things he was going to do in it. Then he asked for more journals!!!! I think he'll be writing and drawing a lot in his journal this summer to earn his next one, don't you!

BNRs, BNS,BNE OH MY!

Hahahaha They are not as scarey as you might think!!!! Actually they are so much fun!It's a great way for ETSY shops to advertise. You buy a spot by buying from a featured shop. So not only do you get an advertising spot for a certain amount of time depending on the BNR/BNS, but you also get something you would have purchased anyway! You also have a great chance of getting at least one sale (also depending on the BNR/BNS) and you get to meet a wonderful group of fellow artisians! Not an ETSY seller??? That's fine, check out the deals usually only available to shoppers of the BNR/BNSs! Here are two going on now that I'm featured in BNR with Ni and this one BNS with Tara But don't feel you have to buy from me!!!! This is the bracelet I bought from CreatingWithNi
She runs one of the BNS that is listed...in fact she usually has one going! Check them out, stay and chat, buy and support an artist! oh and get a great deal too!!! See you there!!!

A Etsy shop to share....

I thought I would share some of my Favorite shops! Today I'm featuring Kookycritters!
I "hearted" Holly's shop when I saw these adorable beasties! I thought of my son and added it to my list of ideas for him. She contacted me with an idea to have me make one of her creations into a stamp for her shop! How could I resist!!!!! She is a wonderful person to work with and her creations are simply adorable! Stop by her shop, browse and smile. That's what I did!!!! And don't forget to pick up a little monster for your little monster!!! That's what I'm going to do! ;)
Happy Friday!
Sheila

Busy Busy...

Somedays it seems like I don't have a moment to relax! That's how it's been lately. I have had more than a normal amount of Special Orders the past couple weeks. I like it! It keeps me busy, gives me inspiration and sometimes I come up with a new stamp for the collection!
First one was from a lady who helps her mom at her rug hooking shop. She asked for two special journaling blocks. One with the Hooked by and the second of a cat. Well I thought of our cat for the model of that one.


Next I was making several stamps for a group of cardmakers and they wanted the signature stamp for the back of their cards. One wanted a little dragonfly by her name. AS usual, I got carried away and made one with a lot of fun swirls and dots. After I was done I just knew when I shrunk it down it wouldn't look good I decided to make it big...he is 4" from tip of the wing to the tip of the other wing. And I must say I do like this fun guy!!!



I'm still working on more Special orders and they should be done this weekend! I can tell you right now there is at least one more new set coming!!!
I better get to work if I want them finished them!!! Come back later this week to see the other new set!

A blast from the past...

My friend Judi asked to see some of my artwork. I haven't drawn in so long so it was a blast to go back and round up my pet portraits. I had started doing those in 1996 and enjoyed meeting the cats and dogs I was going to "paint". I use the term loosely because they are all done with colored pencils. I do like painting, but having long hair I tend to find it tipped with an assorted array of colors! You think I would have learned to pin it up!hahaaha Anyway I love the detail I get with colored pencils that I couldn't acheive with paints or pastels.

Back to the reason for the post! I was hunting up the images of the drawings, but found that I was missing all but the most recent drawings! I need to scan the photos into the computer/external drive so that they will be safe. For now here is a few and apparently the last several I did were of bulldogs! Also the picture of the Dalmatian on the right (scroll down to see the colored artwork) is of my pet Skeeter. He is no longer with us. He was 14 when he was taken ill. I think of him often and show Timmy the mountains of photos I took of him. Someday we will have another dog, I enjoy the company and companionship they give.
Now for the artwork....

This group of bulldogs are the puppies of the main bulldog in the back! The picture is the biggest I ever did and took 40 hours to complete!



Now on these guys the wrinkles look good!;)

A week ago, on our Friday trip to the library, guess who I finally got a photo of! I've been trying to get a picture of this guy since I first saw him this past summer. Of course it may not be the same guy, this one does seem a bit bigger. But all summer I would make sure I had my camera and the one day I didn't is when I could have had an awesome photo. Since that day we would keep our eyes peeled , looking at every retention pond and lake around the library. Finally last week Tim saw him and I made him drive around the parking lot so I could get out and take a photo. Tim thought I was crazy, but I had to get the photo! Tim thought for sure I would get closer....sorry dear I'm not THAT crazy! But my zoom works awesome, don't you think? Wondering yet who I'm talking about??? scroll down and see....
















Yea, Tim wasn't as impressed with him as I was either! But how interesting the pattern and texture of his skin...only in nature! What do you think another stamp for my adventure series?

Come sail away...

Here's a page from my journal. I really like the page. I used copper ink pad from the right corner and tapered off. I then took Sapphire Glimmer mist and sprayed from the left to the right. It took me awhile to decide what to do with this page. Then a tutorial for PearlEx had me playing and I got out my stamps. This one is called Balloon Ride (one of mine). I stamped it using Stazon on transparience then ran it, image up, through the xyron adhesive machine. Peel back the backing and using the PearlEx to "paint" the image. I used pearl with blue PearlEx for the background and totally love the sky look I achieved. You then run the image through the xyrone again, I'm thinking to set the PearlEx. I used repositional adhesive and did have a problem with it lifting, but still I'm happy with the results. This is a very fun technique and encourage you to try! Oh and yes messy! But I tend to get messy when creating, so it may be just me!!!
The words Come Sail away on the left page is from one of my favorite songs from STYX. The writting on the other page is just thoughts that were in my head. I painted the area to be journaled on using an Iridescent White acrylic paint. It turned blue from the sapphire spray, but I think it looks better than if it was a stark white.

I've enjoyed taking a few minutes and doing something creative to my journal. Some days I play with paint, like watercolors. Julie is tweeting a idea for a one minute journal exercise daily. I've been jotting them down, I'm such a planner! Not always a good thing, but I did do one of the excercises and have more ideas brewing. Maybe next post I will share more of those!
Till later!
Sheila

SCORE!

Seldom do I find a bargain that gets me this excited! Maybe it's because of my excitement about my journal and the wonderful people in the group. But while searching Michael's for items to use in my journal I came across the Travel design disc for the Design Runner. I have had the Design Runner for about 2 years and I only have one other disc for it. I don't use it often, you might be asking why I even bought it! Well, I love gadgets! Scrapbooking gadgets that is!...okay cooking gadgets too!hehe So back to my find, it is regularly priced $29.99 on clearance for $7.99! SCORE!!! I was so excited that this would be perfect for my journal I used it as soon as I got home for my cover! It's on the dark blue background, along the bottom and the 3 little stamps. The map stamp and the hat stamp are part of my Adventure Series and will be available in my etsy store soon. I love the fedora stamp ~ it reminds me of Indiana Jones and I love those movies! I'm still thinking of what phrase I want to put with it. The word Destination is from Tattered Angels, also available in my shop! Here is my cover for my Journal. I'm really happy with it, but will probably be adding more trinkets as I come across them! The holes haven't been added yet, I'll use my bind it all for that when my journal is complete.

Happy Crafting!
Sheila

My Journey with my Journal

I joined this journaling group as I mentioned in the previous post. But I wasn't sure what I wanted to journal about. As I worked on my pages, spraying them with Glimmer Mist, using a stamp pad to add color and painting them with acrylic paint, I at least chose a color palette! As I did all these things I continued to wonder what was I going to do with this journal when it was time to go beyond paint.
Then as I made embellishments and played with glimmery powder (PearlEx) I thought about life and how it's an adventure. I thought about this past summer and our Adventure Wednesdays we took our son on. I thought about the adventures I dream up chatting with my online friends on the other side of the ocean. How visiting with them eating homemade bread, crocheting or scrapbooking would be a lovely adventure one day. I think about the future, will we move or stay in our home. If we move where will it be? Across town or in a whole new state? Now that would be an adventure! So I think a journal about the journey through life would be cool, my own little adventure... even if it is just the adventures of everyday life. Let the Journey Journal begin!
Thanks for visiting!

Happy 2011!

It's been awhile since I posted here! But I'm going to try and do better. I always tell people they need to take time to dowhat makes them happy, this year I'm finally going to take my own advise! This past year I only scrapbooked a handful of times. I joined an art journal site and never completed one page! I have ideas for drawings, personal not for stamps, and haven't taken the time to pick up a colored pencil! So even though I'm NOT a resolution maker. My plan is to set aside a little bit of time everyday for me! I found a site balzerdesigns and I'm hoping that with her egging me on I can make atleast 10 minutes for myself!
I also plan on getting more involved with a couple site I enjoy visiting and do some of the sketches they have posted. I am so far behind in scrapping, especially after a summer of Wednesday Adventures! It's going to take me forever to scrap them...I'm just talking about the good photos! Not every photo I've taken!!!! So wish me luck, another of my "for me" times will be posting here more often! So I better be ready for check in!!!!;)