In the Works...

November's Here...

I'm sure it has to do with all the 'unexpected' our family had to deal with in October, but it's as if I blinked once, and October began, then blinked again, and now, November is here!

Being a new month, the smARTworks' website has been updated.  There's a new selection of 50% off stamps at Overstock Central -- all Christmas this time, and a new Spotlight Special -- a single set, 25% off, with domestic shipping included -- It's the same set used on November's monthly project, this even-a-beginner-can-do-it, "Thankful Living" card:

I'm just going to comment on the fact that I have been wanting to play with this set ever since it was released in 2005, and having the chance to finally do so, did not disappoint.  I love the poem, the little "Give Thanks" reminder, and that simple fruit bowl.  I can also envision the individual fruits being used on place cards/napkin rings on the Thanksgiving table. Detailed instructions for this card can be found, now through November 30, at the project page of the website.

More November News:

The new word for The smART-Word Challenge has been posted.  Since I'm the one who chose the word this time -- 'gratitude', a card that I made, along with a beauteous creation by Donna (this month's hostess), has also been posted.  Later this week, I'll show my card here, and give details... but right now I want to show the stamp set that's been designated as the giveaway item for November's drawing:

We'd love to have you join us in this 'gratitude' challenge, so please take time to read the challenge rules, then be inspired to create, and enter your card.

It's also time for the smART Cookie Design Team to wow us with another one of their challenge sets.  This time they were each sent Fannie Mae (shown at right), and the cards I've received so far are very vintage... I'm exercising a certain amount of faith that all Cookie cards will arrive by the due date, so am going ahead and scheduling the Fannie Mae reveal and giveaway... For your chance to see a lot of vintage creativity, and win a Fannie Mae stamp set of your very own, make sure to check back here on November 21.

Lastly, new rubber is on the way!!!  I've had my demo sets for a couple of weeks.  They're already trimmed, in CD cases, cataloged using my 'works for me' library-type organizational system, and begging to see ink... soooooo I'm hoping to have a couple of sneak peeks ready for you later this week. 

Oh, what's that?  Exactly when is the official release date?  Lord willing, November 12.  That's when the online catty pages should be loaded and linked, and the first batch of rubber ready for shipping.

Certainly a lot to be enjoying, and for which to be thankful,

Susan T.

It's October!

Seems as though October is always a busy month.  For one thing it's a big birthday month in Traskville -- Mark, a son, a grand daughter, and myself each turn a year older.  It's also birthday time for smARTworks... now 5 years and counting!  In celebration, each order placed and paid for at smARTworks during the month of October will have a birthday surprise included.

This year, October also marks the launch of a new monthly challenge which replaces the old Tea Parties.  The Cookies and I bantered back and forth to come up with something that would be easier for the stamping community at large to play, and we think it's going to be a lot of fun! It's called The smART-Word Challenge, and here's how it works:

Each month our challenge hostess (either Trish or Donna) will post a single word at our new challenge blog, and display a card sample or two... Additional design team cards will be posted on subsequent weeks.  Any stamper desiring to get in on the fun is invited to use the word for inspiration, create a card, and post a card link at The smART-Word Challenge blog via Mr. Linky (a feature incorporated in the initial post of each challenge).

For each card linked to the challenge by the designated deadline (also given in the month's first post), the participant's name will be placed in a drawing for a smART rubber prize.  The day after the challenge closes, the winner, chosen randomly, will be announced.

Do you have to use smARTworks stamps?  Not at all.  You can use whatever you have, or want to use.  However, if you do use all smARTworks images for stamping, you'll not only be entered into the drawing, you'll also earn a smART Buck!  Note: You can enter more than one card for the drawing, but only one smART Buck will be given per participant, per challenge.

The Cookies and I really hope you'll play along.  October's word is 'fall'.

Remember, it's a new month, so both the Spotlight Special, and Overstock Central offerings at smARTworks are new too.  Here's a look at the featured, Spotlight card:

Now through October 31, the specific details, and complete instructions may be viewed HERE.

Happy October to you, and Happy Birthday to smARTworks!

Susan T.

Note: This post was edited and re-published to correct an incorrect link.

Revisiting August

Last month, one customer card was added to the smART customer gallery and exchanged for smART Bucks:

It was sent in by Lou Kersenbrock, and features the DK-22 Together stamp set.  Additionally, it sports a nifty, die cut panel which doubles as the card front.  

Since all the techniques Lou used in making this card are pretty basic, it's also a perfect reference piece for inspiration... and just in case you don't have the same die, I'm thinking almost any hinged shape (one that's cut on a fold) would work.

Also arriving in August was a batch of card samples from Cookie Trish D'Antonio.  You may already have seen them on her blog,Tah Dah!  or at the Cookie Jar blog, but now they've been added to Trish's smART gallery.  Why have them posted in so many places???  Because the formats used in presentation are different:

-- On the design team member's own blog, you'll see a photo of the project, and have the chance to read the most detailed information about the designer's techniques and creative process.

-- At the Cookie Jar blog, you'll just see a photo, but have the opportunity to search the stamp set(s) used, and thus see all the other projects made with those sets. 

-- In the Cookie's smART gallery, you will see a full-frontal scan of the project, plus have access to all the cards/projects created by that particular designer.

So, from Trish's latest send-ins, which card stood out for me to share as her gallery 'sneak peek'??? 

Weeeell, not an easy choice because several cards had 'something' really clever about them...wings... a sparkler... the shape, etc.  But in the end I narrowed it down to 'Be Joyful Always' which uses the DK-18 Buttoned Up stamp set.  Here's why:

-- Trish's color choices, and mix of patterned papers are really easy on the eyes, and truly compliment the stamped images vs. detracting from them...

-- The visual balance -- stamping Button Girl inside a circular shape, combined with the Bible verse stamped in an oval, and placing the ribbon's 'knot' just so, keeps the eye interested, and happily moving in a triangular pattern...

-- The sweet, little flower with matching rhinestone center -- by itself it's likable, but here, it's also perfectly coordinated to keep the eye darting down to the similarly colored florals in the lower right of the print and back again -- more eye 'happy'...

-- The paper-pieced dress -- Since I always study cards before reading any enclosed directions, I was sure Trish had bleached the dress then re-colored it with 'something'.  I kept trying figure out what she'd used, but was stumped, so finally had to touch the dress.  Big surprise!  Made me love the card even more!

-- The way this card could easily be framed, and turned into desk or wall decor creating a full-time morale booster/reminder.

Eight other 'Trish' cards were added to her gallery, so why not take a few, and visit...

I believe that ties up all the loose ends for August.  Enjoy the holiday weekend,

Susan T.

September

September already!  Starting tomorrow, that will mean everyone back in school, and Yours Truly returning to a regulated schedule.  The schedule part will actually be a good thing because I'll start feeling more productive, but for whatever strange reason, I'm not as thrilled as usual about flying solo again... Oh, well, adjusting and adapting, not always fun, but part of life...

On the business front, a new month means the smART web site has been updated with current news and specials, and a few additional products. A click on the link will fill you in completely, but here are the highlights...

NEWS:
-- In an effort to consolidate my minutes, and save pennies at the gas pump, starting this week, instead of a post office run every day, smARTworks will only be mailing out orders on Tuesdays and Fridays.

-- smART Cookie Challenge #12 with accompanying blog giveaway featuring the whimsical Piggy Dreams stamp set, will unfold right here on Sept. 15.  Make sure to check back then for YOUR chance to 'win the pig'.

SPECIALS:

-- September's Spotlight Special features the stamp sets used to design this card -- FL-19 Fragrant, and WD-20 Bless You.  Other details and complete instructions can be viewed HERE (Sept 1 - 30).  Please Note: Inspiration for September's featured project is credited to this 'purples' card by Dina.

-- Overstock Central - All offerings 50% off.

PRODUCTS:
-- Assorted brads and eyelets,
-- Oval pendant frames and acrylic domes,
-- VersaFine's onyx black ink pads (my favorite black ink to use with Transcendence embossing powder), and
-- Niji's 21-set of pearlescent watercolor paints-- These cake-type paints are much like Twinkling H2Os, but in my opinion, add a bit more shimmer than the Twinks. They're especially great applied over other compatible media.  Doing so also extends their color range. 

For instance, apply over different colors of markered bases, and the resulting colors will also be different... That means 21 colors can seem like many, many more!

Well, this being Eli's last day before school starts, I've promised to spend it with him, doing whatever it is he wants to do... so far that means, visits to AC Moore, Barnes & Noble, and lunch at Arby's...

Off we go!

Susan T.

Mailbox Bonanza

The physical location of smARTworks just happens to be between two post offices...

The post office chosen to house smARTworks' PO Box is further away, but during the school year, right on hubby's way home, so more convenient.  It also has a nicer crew of postal clerks, which makes mail runs much more pleasant... The other post office is fairly nearby, and stays open a half hour longer than the one with our mailbox, so during the summer months, is often the choice for mailing out orders. 

Not that you really need to know any of this, but combined with being on vacation, then with the busyness of the Super Sale, it somewhat explains why recently, I've only been checking the incoming mail every week to ten days.

Well, yesterday, on the way to farmer's market, I made one of those checks, and when I opened the mailbox, it felt like Christmas!  No bills, just fun stuff -- a payment for an order mailed out during the Super Sale, the fall issue of RuberStampMadness, one Cookie card for upcoming challenge #12 (top secret, but completely smile-worthy), and two customer cards.  Note: IMHO (in my humble opinion), even with instant access to others via e-mail, etc. NOTHING beats receiving snail mail.  Nothing.

Anyhoo, what I want to share today, are the two customer cards:

This one, by customer Lou Kersenbrock, uses HSD-Sunflowers, and upon opening it, there was an immediate lift to the spirit.  It was difficult to capture in the photo, but Lou's watering can has touches of subtle foiling which matches the metallic silver stripe throughout her print, and the choice of brads.  It's a really nice card, with a summer fresh feel.

The second card is by smART stamping friend, Mary Dinucci (SCS's seamom).  Mary used the DK-11 Clock Collage, and SBO-Cookie Plate #1 stamp sets to design a 'manly' card... purposely placing the crystal rhinestones over small, blue circles to "tone down the diamonds are a girl's best friend look."   I know it worked because hubby said, "That's a nice one!"  And believe you me, Mark is not a bling-bling guy.  By the way, Mary is presently on a cross-country road trip, and stamping from an RV.  Imagine that!  Sure sounds like fun!

Due to the postmarks,  smART Bucks earned for these cards - 2 per card - will be credited to Lou's and Mary's smART Bucks balances for July .  The cards themselves have also been added to the smART customer gallery, and the Cookie Jar blog.

Thanks ladies, pulling your work out of the mailbox really made my day!

Susan T.

Sunflower Smiles

Presently I'm rushing around trying to get everything in before I head off to an evening jewelry class at the local A.C. Moore... Mind you, a couple of hours ago I was in leisure mode thinking everything was running like clockwork.  Then hubby remarked at lunch how he couldn't believe this was the last day of July.  "No, tomorrow's the last day," I responded.  "Better take a look at the calendar," says he... Of course he was right (this time), and that meant I had a ton of website prepping to do.  Instant change of plans with warp speed commencing.

Anyhoo, I know I'm not going to get much, if any, computer time in this weekend, so wanted to share August's feature card before my other activities begin:

Stamps used are from the Faux Van Gogh #1 and WD-185 Ending/Sending sets, and during August, when purchased together as the Spotlight Special,  these sets will be specially priced with free US shipping included. Note: The special doesn't officially start until after midnight tonight...

Also, available at the website from now until August 31, are the detailed instructions for completing this card.  The one tip I'll give here that I didn't include in the instructions, is when coloring this image, I've found the best results are achieved by not thinking too much about it, and sort of doing what I call a quickie job -- working to give an impression vs. working in every detail.  It also helps to have a photo reference of one of the Van Gogh originals.  Several of his versions can be seen HERE.

 

See you next week,

Susan T.

Last Day To Save 40%

Well, this is it!  The last day of the Super Sale at smARTworks.  If you've already ordered, thank you. I hope you're enjoying your new rubber. If you've been putting it off, or debating whether to order now, or wait until the next sale, you might want to consider treating yourself, or planning ahead for gifting someone else, and placing that order before midnight because there are no other 'big' sales on the horizon until I don't know when, but for certain, not during the remainder of 2009.

Now for a fun card:

Stamps used were from the Hogs & Kisses, and Peek-A-Boo stamp sets.  The 5-1/8" square, white card base has a 5-1/4" square, cardstock print

overlay with rounded corners.  Nestabilities scalloped rectangles mat the white saying layer. For the piggy cut-out, pink chalk ink was applied D-T-P (direct to paper), allowed to dry, then overstamped with the image in black, and clear embossed.  Deeper pink highlights were added with Prismacolor pencils.  Heart accents were punched from a scrap of the print.  Note: Using the chalk ink to color the pig gives an interesting effect -- it sort of resembles flocking without the 'fuzzy'.

Hope someone makes YOU smile today,

Susan T.

Super Sale

            - Super Sale now in progress at smARTworks -
                              40% off most stamps.
                              Click HERE for details...

 

Note:  This post will remain featured at the top of the "In the Works" until Super Sale concludes (July 28).  Newer posts will display below this one.

 

On Vacation

This card, inspired by a customer send-in, has nothing whatsoever to do with the title of today's post, but it does happen to be smARTworks' feature card for July.  As such, now through the thirty-first, a list of materials used, and complete 'how to' instructions are available, HERE, at smartrubber.com.

Now to address today's title...

July means vacation for the Trask family, and this year we're taking a few more days than usual.  We have a couple of day trips planned, several home projects to tackle, and just want an extended period of time living with a relaxed schedule.  Sooooooooo, starting tomorrow, smARTworks will be closed for the next two weeks.

The great thing for you is... when we resume business on the eighteenth, it will be with a ten day Super Sale.  Specific details can be viewed at the website.

Please note:The link to a list of unavailable stamps will not be activated until the 18th.

See you then,

Susan T.

Busy Days

It's been longer than anticipated since my last post. ~sigh!  I often wish my days were longer, and/or my energy inexhaustible... I used to have my 'to do' list all checked off by the bedtime each day (no matter how late) , and now it simply 'rolls over' one day to the next.  I keep telling myself it's due to having more, and a wider variety of things to accomplish versus 'old' age.  Sure hope I'm right.

Anyhoo, I have been busy with all kinds of things -- prepping new product, updating the smART web site, and general living (or trying to)...

In fact, earlier this evening I took a beginner's beading class, in which I made a simple, but very pretty necklace (some of the beads I chose remind me of old-fashioned Christmas candy). The best part, however, was not the necklace I now have to admire and wear, it was learning several things I didn't already know... and for me, THAT'S what makes a class $$$ well spent.

The card I'm sharing today is made with some of the new inchie rubber (Inchie Blocks-Set 1, and Square Say), and I used paper from the even newer Inchie Greetings card packs. 

Also, the inchie itself was stamped twice.  One image was adhered atop a black

Inchie Square, and from the second, the flower was cut out and 'popped'.  You can't tell from the photos, but the flower's center was highlighted with a gold Spica marker, then glazed. 

As for the 'Get Well' message?  I realized I didn't have any get well cards made ahead, and thought with the 'Oink-Oink' flu going around, I best have a few on hand... Only hope I don't have to send one to myself. ~ha ha

Back off to the grindstone,

Susan T.