Tarheel Stamper Tuesday Tips

Actually this tip is not Stampin' related.  My tip for you today is to Live Well, Laugh Often, and Love Much.

This weekend I did just that and my wish is for you to do the same.  Don't let the hectic schedule of your life keep you from enjoying the family, friends, and fun that God has given you.

My family and I attended the Carolina Renaissance Festival this past Saturday.  I decided a few months ago that I would like to dress up in costume.  At first I felt funny, because that is not the normal thing I would do, but life is too short to worry about what others might think.  Go out there and have fun.  I had a great time and can't wait to do it again next year.  Our family was able to attend together and everyone had a blast.  Although no one else in our family could afford or would dress up, I didn't feel out of place at all.  My two "daughters" want to dress up, but finances kept them from doing it this year.  Maybe next year they will be able to.  We all had a blast!  It is great to go out and spend the day with family.  Something I am not able to do often because of the wonderful job God has provided my husband. 

So I will share some photos if you promise not to laugh too much.  Well wait a minute didn't I say my tip is to Live Well, Laugh Often, and Love Much so go ahead and have a good laugh on me. 

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

 Trying my hand at shooting arrows.  LOL  I kept shooting the target next to mine.

 My sweet brother Bobby.

 Sara and the dragon.  There was a Sci Fi Fantasy contest there that day.  Hope this guy won.  This armor is made from leather!  Cool huh? See the elf in the background?

 My knight in shining armor - Russell

 Tim our youngest.  Shot the door that was left open and the arrow went a weird way. 

 Randy our oldest.  Boy what an intense face he is making.  LOL  Better look the other way son.

Newlyweds Bobby and Hannah acting crazy.  LOL 

 Yep that is my husband and knight Russell with me in front of the jousting arena.

Funny face I made, but I loved this guy's costume.  Awesome.  It reminds me of WOW, an online game I play.  Yes I am a World of Warcraft nerd.  LOL See the dragon I am holding. My knight won me this in the battle of Ninja Stars.  Actually hit the same star on the board three times in a row.

The 3 knights from the jousting tournament.  

Tarheel Stamper - Tuesday Tips

My tip for today is to have a card where you can choose the sentiment you need.  I made three sentiments and didn't attach them so I can choose one and use it.  I am always needing a card at the last minute, mostly because my mind is growing up old.  LOL I used Stampin' Up!'s Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil to make this card.  I chose to use the negative part of the cutout.  On yesterday's post I used the positive cutout. I used a retired stipple brush to add Perfect Plum ink to the card base.  I used a sponge to get some moon beams radiating out from the center image.  I attached some pearls from Stampin' Up!'s Basic Pearl assortment.  I love that the adhesive is already on the pearls.  Easy to use and to spruce up a card!



I took the photo of card flat so I didn't have to attach the sentiment with Dimensionals.



Have a wonderful day,

Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Tarheel Stamper Tuesday Tips - Clear Block Storage Caddy

Clear Block Storage Caddy Item# 120279

Price: $16.95


This compact storage caddy holds one of each size of our clear-mount blocks. The foam insert securely holds the blocks in place; an additional foam insert sits between the blocks to protect them when the caddy is closed.
■ Opens flat for easy access


■ Locks shut


■ Built-in handle makes it easy to carry


■ 8-1/16" x 10-5/8" x 1-13/16"

The Clear Block Storage Caddy is a nice place to hold and protect all my clear blocks.  I decorated the outside with some old Decor Elements.  It reminded me of winter so I used a snowflake set.  I love birds also so the Decor Elements I had already worked perfectly. 

The caddy makes it easy to find my blocks, protects from scratching, and is a nice and sturdy case. It can be hard for people with arthritis or weak hands to get the blocks out of the compartments.  As I use them it seems to get a little easier. I have arthritis in my thumbs and a few other fingers, but don't have a huge problem getting them out. I would still recommend buying it as it is a great value and a wonderful way to quickly find and protect your clear blocks. Before I had mine in a basket and they rubbed against each other and were scratched a little. I did leave my caddy opened overnight as the foam had a smell to it.  It quickly dissipated and I no longer smell it.  Not sure what to do with the foam inserts that were in the caddy's hole spaces.  If you don't have all the blocks I would recommend keeping those foam pieces in the empty spots. 

Filled with blocks. Notice the foam insert to protect the two sides from rubbing.

Snowflakes and bird to decorate outside.



Please don't notice my messy desk, lol.  You can see the foam inserts above the case.

The above photo was before I put any blocks in it.  After I loaded my blocks, I open with the large background block on the bottom. 

Have a wonderful day!
Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Tarheel Stamper - Christmas Critters

http://technostamper.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-lunchtime-sketch-challenge-137.html

The Holiday Mini Catalog has such great stamp sets and products!  I love everything about it.  Can you believe that Stampin' Up! has Designer Fabric for sale in this mini? 

On to the card share for the day.  I based the layout on Techno Stampers Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 137.

I used a new stamp set from the Holiday Mini called Merry Crittermas.  Isn't that the cutest bunny?  I normally don't purchase this style of stamps, but need to step out of my comfort zone!  I used Holly Jolly Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla card stock, Jet Black Stazon, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, and Pink Pirouette markers.  The DSP was cut using a new Sizzix XL Big Shot die Tasteful Trim.

Have a great stampin' day!

Tammy aka Tarheel Stamper

Tarheel Stamper - Bridal Gown Napkin

I saw this idea on several sites so I am not sure to whom to give credit.  If this was your original idea thanks for the great project and let me know and I will give you credit!  I just love these.  I used the same embossing folder, Elegant Bouquet, to dry emboss the napkin.  I used a smaller sized napkin and folded it into a triangle shape.  I then ran it through the Big Shot with the embossing folder.  The top of the gown is a Round Tab Punch from Very Vanilla card stock.  I used the Boho Blossom punch for the flowers from Chocolate Chip and the retired color Really Rust.  The ribbon is also retired.  It was an easy, but cute favor.  I used these for the bridal shower and the rehearsal dinner.  This is the last post of wedding items, but I sure enjoyed making everything for the wedding and parties.  It was a lot of fun.  I am not sure why the photograph looks like the napkin is debossed, but the embossing is standing up from the napkin.  No more wedding items for a while!  LOL Have a wonderful stampin' day!