Cold Weather, Under the Weather??

OK - I am totally in love with Riley... Riley Moose by Hanna Stamps, that is. So cute!!

I made this card for a swap and I just think it's adorable. OK... so the whole Got Milk catch phrase is a bit over used, but it worked for me here. And who wouldn't want to give this little guy something to make him feel better!?

I used Kraft card stock for my base, Always Artichoke for the next layer and with MFT's Thanks A Latte set, I stamped the mugs in coordinating colors. Really Rust is used for the scallop. I used a word program to create the sentiment and then punched it out. The Riley is colored with Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel. I used an old SU! dp that I can't remember it's name for the bed doing paper piecing. Layered him on So Saffron and did a little paper piercing to give it a bit of texture. I like it. I hope you do, too.

Do you want to know the story behind my attraction to this moose? Yes! Oh good!! When my oldest son was little I gave him a stuffed Chris-Moose for Christmas. He unwrapped him and out of his sweet little mouth came "look at dat moose." It's become the thing to say when you want to get him to look the other way when you want to steal his ice cream or whatever. But the sweetest part of this whole story, that wonderful little boy is now 13 and every year when it's time to decorate for Christmas, he pulls his Moose out and he sits on his bed during the holiday season.

Happy getting ready for Christmas to you. I hope you stay healthy!

Monthly Card Groups

Brrr... It's a very chilly night here in WV. The Fall weather is giving way to the chill of Winter and soon there will be snow and ice to contend with. But while I'm still feeling Fall-ish, I wanted to share a couple of cards and hope to keep up this feature in my blog.

A bit of history: I host a monthly card group where a person takes a turn hosting a month and sends out paper and images to the members of the group and then the members make their cards using the paper and images. I want to share each group with you, but time doesn't permit me to do that, so I will feature as I can.

This is Jackie's card (left), she hosted October, Group 3. I am not certain where the image is from, but he is adorable! The paper she sent, I hope you can see in the scan is very rich in Fall colors and great paisley!!

Over to the right, you'll see my version of the card. I used Always Artichoke as the base, cut the top fold an inch, rounded the corners and then used the paper to finish it off. I also ran {the last of} Night of Navy card stock through the Cuttlebug embossing folder that I thought matched the paper very well. I colored him with Stampin' Write markers with a selection of Earth Elements colors, matted him to So Saffron. And can you believe it - I actually did not use ribbon!

I hope you enjoy the cards!!

Feeling the Aura

The November 1st challenge card was an Aura Technique. I've never heard of this before. However, they way it was described it reminded me of a movie I saw, The Village by M. Knight Shalaman (I know I didn't spell his name right). Anyway, in this movie there is a young woman who is blind and she describes to her father that she sees the colors that surround people. So I tried to create colors around the image. Unfortunately they are lost to the scan.

I am still learning the new photo editing software and had managed to darken this up so that you can see some of the detail.

I pulled out a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set called Natural Beauty - I discovered there are stamps in that box that have never seen ink! Anyway, I stamped the flower image with Stazon black and then used (more items pulled out and dusted off) my Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils and then to create the aura I used chalks around the image. Next I stamped the background and then wanted to highlight a word, so I chose DREAM and chalked it up. I like the effect.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Finally!!

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am finally up and running! My computer got infected by a pretty serious virus. My husband and a friend of his stripped it down to it's bare bones then restored everything. One of the things I've lost was the photo editing software. I got a new one, and I am slowly but surely learning how to use it - but unfortunately, I think my inability there will keep me from being in the running for a design team position with All That Scraps. I'll tell ya! That is one company that I have wanted to design for ever since I saw it - I want it so bad I can taste it. I know I'm building myself way high that the disappointment is going to be massive if I don't get selected. I'm crossing my fingers though.

The set is called Hey Chicky, it comes with 4 chicky designs and the sentiment "Hey Chicky" and I think it's the most adorable set! It's the only one I have by CC Designs. I also purchased the decorative paper from ATS - I don't remember what it's called, but it's great! I wish my picture did the colors better justice.

Anyway, it feels good to be able to blog again. To share my creations with you.

Well, I best get back to my swapping projects. November came up way to fast for me! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight.

Sweets for a Serious Subject

Hi Everyone! I hope that you've had a great week. Mine was very busy at work, well, at home, too.


I have been having so much fun with card candy, I opened up a swap and it makes me chuckle when I see people shy away from it because they are thinking it's out of their comfort zone. When you get into this, you'll wonder why you thought you had a comfort zone. It's really fun. And while I was showering the other morning, I realized that I have yet to put my pink on.

Fall isn't just the glorious colors of yellows, reds, browns and golds. No, it's the color Pink. As I shared this time last year, thereabouts, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have always felt empathetic for those who were diagnosed or for those who have lost special women in their lives to this dreadful disease - but when it became part of my sister's life, it took on a different viewpoint. I never have been one to think "that won't happen to me. That happens to them, not to me," but I know it's always been in the back of my mind and subjects of quickly thrown up to heaven, silent prayers to God that I stay healthy for my kids' sake. However, I know I'm not immune nor a stranger to tragedy.


So I share with you my card candy as a tribute to my sister(s)... and yours. To my mother and yours, my Aunt and yours, my daughter and yours, to my girlfriends and yours. I hope to put a few of these in my LSS to sell with proceeds going into her donation bucket. It's Scrap Pink month at Memory Lane, and I want to contribute in my own way.


Tell me what you think.... This first picture is of the card front, the candy is on the inside. I used Autumn Leaves Swirl set for the background. Then I used pieces that I made (candy) for the focal point of the card.





I used my five petal flower punch from SU! and Berry Bliss (retired) dp to make the flower. I embossed with Hologram Highlights on a piece of card stock and then punched out a 7/8" circle for the center. The sentiment comes from two of my favorite PTI sets - Women of Life and Out on a Limb. I placed all three images on the block, inked it with Pretty In Pink and then darkened "Life" with Pink Passion.


Next is the inside view of the card which is where I adhered my candy to the card with removable adhesive. I made one that is similar to what appears on the card front. A small tag using PTI's Out on Limb and a Michael's bauble. Next, another flower with Pretty In Pink card stock and Whisper White stamped with swirls. And lastly a scallop circle with an inner circle that is stamped with PTI's Borders and Corners - Circles. Then I made the awareness ribbon with a lovely shade of pink obtained during one of my trips to the ribbon outlet, topped with a Michael's bauble.

I hope you like this - I hope you are incline to CASE my candy and send a card to someone who is special to you, let her know you are thinking of her, that she means the world to you. I do have a little poem written that I want to include in the card (Melissa's original writings - they're simple, silly and even corny - but they are all me... that's my disclaimer) that says:

I send you this card candy because I care... Used it to create another card for you to share. Raise awareness with these pretties.... Do what you can to help save the boobies.

Card Candy - No Calories and Lots of Fun!

Hi Everyone - Happy Saturday...

October 1 challenge has been issued. It's Card Candy! I had never heard of this before and now I am hooked. Here's what I made for the challenge.

I cannot believe how incredibly easy and incredibly fun this is. The receipient will then use these tasty treats to create a card. This is the greatest way to use up some scraps.

First, the owl. He's not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! OMGosh!! He was so super simple thanks to another one of Dawn's videos. I didn't have the Boho Blossoms punch for his beak and feet but I think I was able to improvise pretty well. The pumpkin images are from a set that I purchased from a gal who was cleaning out her craft room. The round metal tag contains a sentiment from the same set "The cutest pumpkin in the patch." The oval says "Hey pumpkin!" - a $ stamp set from my sister and then I stamped the star and pop-dotted it on there. The next item is a 1 3/8 circle punch of Summer Sun (heehee, for a moon!) and then I used PTI's Out on Limb tree limb. It's actually a longer limb, but I cut off the bottom and then glued it back on there. OK, the next item is a bit of ribbon. Not candy I made, but candy just the same. I adhered all these items to a piece of acetate with just a bit of removable adhesive. Then behind it I included a piece of black card stock that has been embossed with a Cuttlebug folder that is a spider web - courtesy of my friend Joni. (Thanks Jones!)

I do still need to make a topper to finish the presentation - but this was so simple. I had most of it ready in under an hour. Super simple, super fun.

BTW - I love this so much that I opened up a swap for it. If you'd like to join, click here: Card Candy - I'd love to see you there!!

Every Frankie must have his Bride...

Good Evening Everyone!

I have been inspired. I have the cutest card to share with you! You saw where I posted a CASEd Frankie card that I saw on Dawn's blog. Well, I've come up with my own creation. She's alive!

May I introduce to you Mrs. Frankie! Is she not the cutest thing - you can't help but giggle!! She was really easy to do. With the same basic instructions of Frankie, all I did was use Whisper White and then sponged a bit of Going Grey ink which isn't real visible in the photo. (I thought scanning was supposed to give you superior photos - maybe it's the operator!) Then with about 2 1/4 inch strip of black I cut a goofy curve for her hair line. Free-form cut the lightning bolt hair and adhered it to the black. For her eyes, again they are Whisper White, inked with Going Grey. I hand drew her eyelashes. I wanted a daintier nose then Frankie, after all she's a girl. Then drew her quirky smile. I think she's adorable and I hope you do, too.

Viola! A Melissa original!!!

Have a geat evening!

Dreaming of Fall

Hi Everyone,

I do hope your weekend has been enjoyable. Ours was busy and the weather was very hot and very humid! I'm dreaming of Fall - I've shared how much I enjoy the sunny, but slightly cool days and the crisp nights that are only good for two things... flannel pajamas and a good book!

I have a card to share with you that I hope you enjoy and conveys just how much I love the quick approaching season...

This card is for the Sept 15 challenge for the Card Traders group I belong to. The Challenge: Chalkboard Techniqe. You start with dark cardstock, stamp a solid image with white craft ink and then color with chalks and Q-Tips or sponge daubers. I used an ordinary pencil eraser to clean up chalk that I didn't want on the card. Then I cut a piece of Creamy Caramel cardstock, ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder. Then using a scrap of (retired) Apple Cider paper and the Word Window punch I created the next layer and a place to tie ribbon. Then using the smallest Nestibilities rectangle scallop die and 1 x 3/4 inch piece of Very Vanilla and "Happy Fall" from PTI's Limitless Labels set, I created the small sentiment pop-up.

I recently (as in about 2 hours ago) applied for a position on the The Purple Onion Designs design team. I didn't supply any specific designs, I just invited them to visit my blog to view my work. So if you are here and reading this, please page through my entries. And for my friends... I hope you like another one of my designs and will cross your fingers for me.

Too Early for Halloween??

I have been enjoying perusing Dawn Griffiths blog... I have been inspired to try many of the cards that she has showcased. This is one of them.....

Is he not the cutest ever!!! I love him!! This was the easiest card ever. Now Dawn used the This Way arrows punch from Stampin' Up! - not a punch I have, so I used the dog tag looking punch, the name escapes me at the moment. I think this looks more authentic of Frankenstien, the knobby things on his neck. Who could ever be afraid of this little guy!?

Supplies: Old Olive cut at 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2. Lavendar Lace 4 1/4 by approximately 2", and cut the jagged "hairline" - (2) 1 1/4" white circles, (1) 1 1/4" Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) 1" black circles, (1) Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) Going Grey dog tags. Adhere hair to top of card close to score line. Adhere black circles to white circles and adhere below hairline. Soften the edges with Old Olive and sponge of half the 1 inch Old Olive circle and adhere between the eyes for his nose. Soften the edges of the two halves of the 1 1/4" Old Olive circles. Back with dimensional adhesive and place over the eyes. With a black marker draw a line for the mouth with stitch lines. Place another "scar" where his cheek is. Adhere the Going Grey tags to either side of his "neck." With a white gel pen or other white marker to add a bit of detail in his eyes - his twinkle. Done!

Now, Dawn had a stamp that I can't remember what it's called, I don't personally have the set, but it has a sentiment that says: Friend. Good. Frankenstien --I wanted to re-create something like that, so I found a dollar stamp that says Friends, but blocked off the s.

I hope you like it!!!

Heavenly!

Isn't she just heavenly! I hope that when I post this card, it looks a bit better than it does right at this moment. I put black card stock behind the card so that you get it's a white base...

Anyway, this is Group 1 of my monthly card swap. The image was provided by September's hostess, it's Halobella from Stamping Bella. I used my Stampin' Write markers to color her dress, I used the Twinkling H2Os to color her wings and Lumiere paint with Diamond Dust (warning: don't rub your fingers over the Diamond Dust - it will cut you finger!) to bring the cloud to its billowy presence. I also had more fun with the rectangle Nestibilities (gotta love these!) and I also got a new punch. It's a border punch from Fiskars. I also used PTI Tags, Bags and More set to stamp the metal edge circle and used a (yes I actually used them) sugar-coated purple brad to adhere the tag. Of course, no Melissa project is complete unless it has ribbon. The decorative paper also provided by the hostess is really pretty cloud paper.

I hope you like it!

Lovin' my Bug...

Hello Everyone... I hope you are off to a great start to the weekend. I am... I had a lovely dinner with my family and my Mom brought over this really yummy bottle of wine that is made here in West Viriginia. Then she took my youngest two children home with her. After they left I headed to my craft room.

I have a card to share with you that I made last week. This is a card I made for my friend LJ's swap. I just ordered two of the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders. LOVE THEM! I also used PTI's Women of Life set and my new scallop rectangles Nestibilities dies. Love these, too!!

Enjoy!

Sweet Baby Thank You

Good Morning Everyone...

I am on a roll this morning... I got up and made cinnamon rolls for my family, made me an awesome cup of coffee and designed (and finished) a baby thank you card.

I really struggled with a design for Tracy's swap - but this is what I finally came up with. My friend Jackie picked up this stamp for me at Hobby Lobby - sooo sweet. I grabbed the blue with white polka dots paper from my LSS - it's a Frances Meyer design and of course the ribbon came from the latest trip to the ribbon outlet. The picture doesn't do the ribbon justice at all. It's a shimmery blue organdy ribbon that is just precious.

I hope you enjoy my card.

I see I'm over 3000 hits now, please leave comments.

Never Ending Card Challenge

Check out what I made! I am part of a yahoo group that does challenge cards twice a month. I posted one a couple of posts ago (My Birthday Present) and this one totally baffled me - but it's awesome!

This is the front of the card. I used (retired) Sweet Shapes and this really cool flower that I got in one of my many swaps. I also used some great ribbon I got in a Color Me Happy box.

This ( >>>) is view two. Open the card to the left and the right and this is what you see next. The colors I chose are: Very Vanilla for the base. The ink color is Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie and Garden Green. Can you tell I am ready for Fall?

(<<<) Now you take the middle panels and open up and down to expose the next part of the card.

(>>>) Open up the middle flaps again to the left and right and this is your next view. Open those flaps to the top and bottom and you're back to the first view.

Pretty neat, huh!

I really enjoyed making this card and I found an awesome blog that has video tutorials for this card and lots of other great ones, too. You really need to take the time to check out Dawn's Stamping Thoughts. Her tutorials are very good.

The Prettiest Thank You!

Recently I participated in a Secret Girlfriend swap. For this swap you send a gift for everyday for a whole month, it sounds like it's expensive and I suppose it can be, but when you're a part of the crafting world, you well.... get creative.

I had the absolute best time giving to my secret girlfriend, which turned out to be I was her secret girlfriend, too! We spoiled each other!!! It was absolutely the best round and I'd partipated in 2 others.

I would like to share with you the thank you card that she made me... I'd been struggling with making her the perfect card to say thank you and then hers came and well, anything I come up with now will pale greatly in comparison!! Check this beauty out:

I scanned it in because I'd hoped it would capture all the detail and it doesn't look too bad, but in real life, it's breathtaking!! I put a piece of black card stock behind it because the base is a plastic coaster that's pretty much clear. I just discovered these in the TAC catalog... so cool!!! The back of the card has her message. And thank you Jen for giving me permission to share your lovely creation on my blog.

My birthday present

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great week. My days are very stressful at work right now but hopefully there will be a change soon.

I belong to a challenge group, where we do two cards each month, each member choosing what the challenge will be be. The challenge on the 1st of the month I didn't like so well, but the challenge for the 15th of the month was a lot more fun! This was Maria's idea and at first I was very upset with her for coming up with this (LOL) but I have had a blast... not only trying a new challenge, but it gave me a chance to play with my new birthday present from my sister. Check out this card.....


The picture isn't the greatest because I had to scan it, the ribbon prevents a good scan because of the bumpiness. But isn't it pretty!! I used Lavendar Moon as the base... then used Perfect Plum as the next layer. The set I used is Papertrey's Guidelines set using Lavendar Moon and Perfect Plum inks. The ribbon is Lavendar Moon saddle stitch ribbon (yes! I actually used it!!) - then the "start" of the sentiment is "Life" from PTI's Out on Limb. The Celtic knot accent in the scallops is PTI's Borders & Corners Circles set. Now, this is what happens to the card.....




You pull the sides out and out pops the rest of the message - it's one of my favorites. I'm pretty sure I shared this before, but the inside says... "is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

I hope you enjoy my card as much as I do! BTW, the tutorial that I followed for this great card can be found on this great blog.

TWO MONTHS!!

Holy cow! It's been two months since I've had a blog entry! My goodness.... OK I have some to things to share.

First, the bad news... after 10 years of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I have given it up. It just got too hard to keep that going, family, my job and my swaps. I also found where I wasn't enjoying stamping as much, it was a job. I will miss the monthly magazine, the free catalog every year and the 20% discount, but I'll live.

The really bad news... I just had another birthday! Ugh! But I did have a lovely time with my family and I received some wonderful gifts. My sister gave me a Color Me Happy gift pack... I got PaperTrey Ink stuff.... the new Guidelines stamp set, 5 rolls of ribbon, a Pallette ink pad and cardstock in the Lavender Moon color. So beauty-ful!! It came in a purple canvas tool caddy that is lined with black fabric and polka dots (see Jones, it really is a color) and purple rhinestone bling! My children gave me a card that when you open it there is a sound thingy in it and plays Shake Your Groove Thing! How awesome is that!! They also gave me candles. My mother gave me more favorites... a Key Lime Pie and a bottle of Beringers White Zinfandel. Yum!

To explain the yummy card! I received this from my card traders group that I belong to. Isn't it adorable!! I didn't keep a copy of the one I made, but it's the greatest card idea I've ever seen!!

OK, to my faithful readers that have probably been looking and seeing the same card for two months now.... I promise to be better about posting. At least once a week minimum.

Share a glass of wine with me??

Hi and happy Saturday to you!!

I have gotten so much happy mail lately with the monthy card swap I'm hosting and will wrap up next month - but I also signed up for a swap that has a drink theme. I didn't want to make a Christmas card as I just have Christmatini from Stamping Bella, but I also have Cosmobella which I was sure the hostess would get a lot of those, so I used Winobella and I think these cards came out really pretty. My pictures aren't great, I think I should have taken them earlier in the day.

I used Spring release of Two Scoops paper from Basic Grey. I love this paper, it's so pretty. I also have really enjoyed paper piecing lately, too.

Have you missed me?

Hello Everyone! I cannot believe it's been more than a month since I posted last!

Life has been busy to say the least! My sister came out here for a visit during Spring break and my other sister is coming during the 4th holiday! Sooo looking forward to her visit!! I've also been going through a transition at work - recently an employee of 31 years retired and I've been training for the last few months to take over her job. It's meant longer days and more demands, but I think once I'm totally comfortable, my life will have some semblance of normal again.

Also in this last month, my dear friend gave her son back to the Lord. Tim, a 21 year old young man was killed in a motorcycle accident. The family is doing well and is seeking their comfort in God.

We're nearing the end of the school year and it just hit me that I am one year closer to having a child in High School! Aaaccckkk!!! He's getting so big. My oldest son became a teenager this year - seems like yesterday we were helping him learn to walk.

My daughter's dance year is winding down or up, depending on how you look at it. Recital is in 3 weeks and from what I've seen, it's going to be fabulous!

Enough of my ramblings. I have a sweet little card to share with you. I received this image in my Monthly card swap and I'll tell you, I love this size card!! The image is an Elzybells stamp - these little girls are just so cute. I apologize for the scan, hubby is away for the weekend and took the good camera! That'll teach me to get my pictures taken right away.

This scan is not doing this card justice at all. The base is white and I haven't a clue where the decorative paper is from, but it's gorgeous! The size is a 3x6 card and I just love it! I loved it so much I joined 2 other swaps for this size card!

You can't see it very well, but the sentiment is simply Friends. I had fun making this card and when the good camera comes home, I will replace the photo!

Hope everyone is well and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

A big, belated Thanks!

I had received a few weeks ago two "awards" for my blog. I received a lovely one from Maria and another from Toni. To you both, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I haven't received them to put on my blog. Truthfully, I forgot to go back and get them. So my personal message to Toni and Maria, thank you to you both for thinking me worthy of these wonderful awards. And forgive me for not getting them onto my blog. Your blogs are very special to me too.

Miss You

Hi All! I have missed everyone! How have you all been? I've been doing OK. I hurt myself last week. I started Jazzercise classes and just when I thought I was getting the steps down, my left foot stopped but the rest of me didn't and I fell. Full impact on my left knee. At first only my pride was wounded - but I'm still pretty sore and it's amazing how you take for granted the ways your body moves when you want it to move one way and a shooting pain goes straight up your leg and makes you see stars!! Oh boy.

I have a card front to share with you. I sent this in as my contribution to a swap that my dear friend jonjinko is hosting. Another friend sent me this stamp as part of another swap that I was in - I just love it. It's a Great Impressions stamp and the sentiment is none other than Papertrey Ink.

The base is Real Red and I cut the sides using my old decorative scissors from Fiskars, the design is called Clouds. I wish I had bought years ago the SU! scalloped scissors, but they can't be found anywhere. {If anyone does find some, will you clue me in?} Next is Basic Black card stock. I stamped the image in 3 different panels to make it appear that the ladybug is moving along (my husband said this didn't make any sense because the flower is moving, too). I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the images, using Barely Banana in the flower petals and Apricot Appeal for shading. I think if I made this into a full card, I would then add red ribbon with black polka dots. I like it, even if DH thinks it doesn't make sense. The hostess liked it, too. That's enough votes for me.

I have another Elzybells card to share with you, but I have to wait a few more days to post it. I am so sad, too. The post below was a card I made for a swap, I mailed them and the hostess never received them. I am not happy with the postal service. I was really hoping I goofed and maybe mailed it to one of my swappers in the monthly card swap, but no one has said anything. Oh well. They're gone, life goes on.

So Sweet!

Hello Everyone! The final days of Spring break are upon us. The kids are already groaning, but we have had a wonderful visit with my sister for this past week. Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday, so we're almost done with birthdays! Whoo-hoo!!!

I have learned about a new stamp company called Elzybells and although they are very cute, this image captured my heart. I just love her. She arrived over a month ago and now she's finally inked. I made these cards and then joined the swap. I love this card - it's so feminine. I started with Pretty In Pink cardstock and ran a little more than half through the Cuttlebug using the paisley embossing folder - it's a new one! Then I took inspiration from the current Stampin' Success magazine for cards with all these wonderful circles. I used paper from a stash I've been hoarding. Then added a sentiment from by beloved collection of dollar stamps. The result, something pinkfully cute!

Urrrgggghhh!!!

I posted a photo of a card last night (a little something from Inque Boutique) and a comment was left on it... one that was spam. I do not appreciate such comments being left on my blog, these sorts of comments infect computers and why anyone would want to be that destructive to someone else is beyond me. Please beware of a commentor called Dumuro. My blog will now require a word verification and if this doesn't stop it, I will start moderating the comments. I am only sharing my beloved hobby with others who share my interests... I will not allow you to damage my computer or anyone elses.

To my faithful readers, thank you for your understanding.

A little something from Inque Boutique

My LSS is carrying these great little stamps by Inque Boutique (See D's). I was playing around with an idea that I'd entered into their weekly contest (crossing my fingers) and this is what I came up with. I used a set called Make-A-Tag to create the cross-hatch design on the top of the card. It wasn't easy, as you can see, my lines didn't go on exactly straight. Of course I've got the scallop thing going. Then I used another set that I call Circle of Friends which is so sweet. I love the different fonts used for Friends. The bottom needed something and I thought only half the image of the little flower finished it nicely!

March Monthly Card Swap

Has anyone else just gone head over heels for Hannah? This is the second time I've received images for the monthly card swap that are Hannah stamp images. She's so darn cute! This image I received along with the beautiful decorative paper and just couldn't come up with the sentiment, so I filled the whole space... the sentiment will have to be on the part of the sender who uses my card.

I wasn't completely pleased with my coloring job... don't know if it was me or the cardstock. This particular cardstock that was used wanted to drink up the ink. Of course that might have been due to all this drywall dust that's been overtaking my house the last several weeks!!

Back to the card... I have totally fallen in love with Almost Amethyst again. It's my new old favorite. And I love love love the new Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder! And of course we know that lately Melissa has had a thing for scallops. You also cannot imagine how excited I was when I dove into my bag 'o ribbon and came up with this GORGEOUS satin ribbon that matches perfectly. I squealed! Literally. (haha! my daughter's new favorite word)

I hope you likey! I have some other cards just waiting to be published on here, so maybe I can update more often!!!

Happy Easter everyone.

Easter Blessing Stamp Camp

Hi Everyone,

What a crazy Saturday I had yesterday!! My youngest son's school had their annual Basket Bingo yesterday so I promised baked goods, door prizes and of course I wanted a basket. I didn't win one though, which was no surprise. Then I also had a stamp camp. I was late to my own camp!! The bingo ran way over, my guests were a little early, so hubby had to play host for the five minutes that it takes to get from the school to the house.

Anyway, I wanted to share the projects we made at the camp. I believe everyone enjoyed themselves and the projects came out lovely.

I wanted to do an Easter theme, since the holiday is fast approaching. I love the coffee bags that are offered by PaperTrey, they are inexpensive and so much fun to decorate. I went with a very simple design, but the results were truly nice.

I also was quite inspired by Nichole Heady's design on a tag card and just had to do it! Isn't it lovely? I chose Almost Amethyst and dug into my stash of ribbon and found I had a gorgeous satin ribbon to match! How happy was I! I also used a stamp from the Sale-A-Bration stamp set So Many Scallops, but used "Easter Blessings" sentiment from PTI.

This next photo is what we made to go inside the bag. I made a treat holder for two Fun Size candy bars. I stamped a larger white label to wrap around the candy. Again, this is another inspiration from Nichole's blog. I just modified it for the Fun Size, instead of Nuggets candy. The results were great!

The next items are real colored eggs. The pink egg, we stamped Easter Blessings with Staz-On ink. The green egg was decorated with a belly band. The blue egg, we embossed a white flower on it. Embossing on eggs was actually quite easy, but I think I would recommend using an oven mit if you want to emboss all over the egg. We started with Whisper White craft ink and then finished with white embossing powder. The egg was cold, so I did notice that it took a little to heat set the powder. The results were fun!

I hope you enjoyed my presentation of my stamp camp.

Got Tagged by Toni!

1. I am a choco-holic!
2. My favorite coffee in the morning is Hazelnut.
3. I love reading friend's blogs.
4. I am named from a favorite character of my Mom's favorite Soap Opera.
5. My favorite movie of ever and all time (very hard to name) is Jane Eyre with Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine. I can watch it over and over.
6. Love Johnny Depp movies, all of them but one!
7. I would like to jump out of an airplane - but only with a guarantee that the parachute will work!!!

Visit Toni's blog - Moved to the Mountains (in my favs list on the side) - she's a super talented stamper and on a few Design Teams, so you know she's good!

I'm a girl who loves to have fun!

My original monthly swap is about the wrap up, but this was an image and paper recently shared by one of the swappers and this is what I came up with. I love this image!!

The paper is great, too, but this image is sooo cute. I hope you can see it well, my photos have definitely improved. I'm using my husband's camera and learned how to set up my pictures in front of my living room so that the light is coming in on the subject. I think it looks so good.

I hope you enjoy my card.

Verve Visual Update

Sadly, I didn't win. How fun that would have been, but I guess there's always a next time. Thanks for crossing your fingers for me.

I'm working on some other projects that I'll get pictures of and post soon.

Verve Visual Sketch Challenge

I'm biting my nails! I am posting this card to enter the Verve Visual sketch challenge. The prize is being a guest stamper. I think that would be sooo cool!! Tell me what you think!

I thought the most gracious part of this contest/challenge is that using Verve Visual stamps weren't a requirement. I don't own any of these stamps, in fact, I'd only heard of the company a couple of days ago when I stumbled onto the sketch. To be honest, I was really in search of my challenge to present in August for the new group I just joined. I found this very cool sketch and decided to give it a go (with much encouragement from my sister).

I used Very Vanilla as my base, decorative paper by Tres Jolie, stamps are Michaels $1 stamps and the ink is Palette. Oh, the sentiment is Papertrey.

Cross your fingers for me!

How 'bout a double shot!

I have two projects to share with you today. This second project is my card for the monthly card swap. It was Laurie's turn to host (well not really, she had to step in) and she sent the coolest decorative paper. I also decided I would try a Splitcoast Challenge card map. This is what I came up with. I hope you like it!

As you can see, this card features Flowahbella by Stamping Bella. I used Papertrey's white cardstock for my base, Brocade Blue (the best blue!) to mat my paper and my image. I colored the Bella with my Stampin' Up! markers. I found the bling at Wal-Mart and it's original intention is to decorate cell phones, mp3 players, etc., but it had sticky stuff on it and I liked it! The sentiment is from my new Papertrey Ink set Mixed Messages. It's a little hard to see in this picture, but it says "With Appreciation" and I really like the simple touch it added to the card. I hope Laurie is pleased with what I did with her choices in paper and image.

In Love with Papertrey Ink

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I'm trying to stay warm. The day started out OK, but it's gotten cloudy and cold.

Here is my second ATC submission for dcorder's ATC swaps. I did finally tell her that I joined a couple of her swaps.

I used my new Papertrey Ink stamp set Out on a Limb and I absolutely love this set. I had met a lady several months ago who is a fellow SCSer. She had asked me if I had seen Papertrey stamps and I said yes, but I they really didn't do much for me. Can you believe I actually said this!!? OMGosh, that can't be further from the truth now. Nichole Heady is my idol!! I love this set, I can't wait to buy more! I am so addicted that it kills me to get on her site and actually exercise restraint!!! And this saying in the set is just the best: To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world. Josephine Billings - Is that not just the best thing to have someone say to you, besides "I love you" and have that meant from the very bottom of their soul?

I had already decided that I would use Cameo Coral before the set even arrived in the mailbox. When I sat down to make my ATC and knew I would need ribbon. I reached down into my big bag of ribbon stash and out came this satin ribbon that matched Cameo Coral perfectly!!! I was so excited. I also used Burnt Sienna Palette ink for the branch. I am sooo impressed by this ink that I ordered more. What great color that stands up! I hope dcorder likes what I've made!

I'm still here and in the mood for love!

Hi All,

I know, it's been a loooong time since I've posted. I haven't had anyone yell at me to give me a kickstart!

I have to say, I am soooo happy the holidays are over. My house is back to normal and very happy that with packing up the Christmas decorations, it also got my hubby motivated to clean up the garage! It's been a huge mess since we moved 7 months ago. Crazy. So, now we can actually fit a car into the garage - not that we do.

OK, I've been busy with getting some swaps cleared off my white board. I am happy to report, it's a plain white board again. I am hosting two monthly card swaps, I've made a couple of other things for swaps but one of my resolutions this year is to not sign up for a swap unless the project is already made. So I haven't told dcorder that I am joining her Hugs & Kisses swap, but I have made a pretty ATC for it. I'm also going to join her PaperTrey Ink ATC swap, too, but I have to wait for the stamps arrive. OK so this the ATC I made for the Hugs & Kisses swap.

I started with a Pale Plum base. I used my new Forever My Love stamps by See D's for the sentiment and the corner adornments. Using the scallop punch from SU! I punched out of the beautiful paper that I can't remember the name of the pack, but it coordinates with the Carte Postale stamp set. Anyway, sooo romantic. I've been hoarding it since I got it, so it was time I got into it. Then I stamped the circle with my PaperTrey Ink circles border stamp and topped with a prima flower and brad.

I used my husband's camera, it's a bit better of a picture, but the colors aren't represented well. But it is really pretty, if I say so myself. This was a stretch for me anyway, since I am not one for Valentine's day. But I love romance and that's what this little ATC shouts out for me.