I'm Back!!

Online, that is. I didn't have internet for more than a day because the cable went out. You don't realize how much you depend on being connected...until you lose it.

Scor-Pal's February/March online magazine has been posted, and I have a few projects included. Here's one of them:

Images © Flourishes, LLC

For more details about this Z-Fold project, you may find the tutorial here. There are lots of other awesome and new projects included in this issue, so you'll want to check it out!

Thanks for visiting!!

Grandma's Valentine

I saw this really cool Fancy Fold over at Dawn's blog, and wanted to try it. I still had my Berry Bliss handy from a few days ago, so I grabbed it. There also was a challenge at SCS a short while ago, using these cute heart pockets....so I combined the two.

I was trying to incorporate a photo into the Valentine's card for my Mom. I decided to print the photo, and use my Heart-shaped Nestabilities to cut the shape. I doesn't match perfectly with the heart pocket, but I'm thinking she'll probably keep the picture somewhere separate anyhow.
Thanks for stopping by today!!

Stamps: All Year Cheer III
Card Stock: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Berry Bliss
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Heart Nestabilites, D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder, Big Shot, Purely Pomegranate stitched ribbon, Prima Heart, Glue Dots, Photograph

Hippy Giraffe

Images © Melanie Muenchinger

I've been wanting to make something with this adorable giraffe from Melanie's "Just so Hippy!" set, so I made up this simple little 3¼ x 6½ inch card. The giraffe was colored with my Copic Sketch markers, then trimmed and mounted on Dimensionals. Nothing too complicated here, so I won't go into details. If you have any questions...please feel free to ask.

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Just so Hippy! (Melanie Muenchinger/Gina K. Designs)
Card Stock: So Saffron, Neenah Solar White, Kraft, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, White Craft, Copic Sketch markers
Accessories: Cutter Kit, Crop-A-Dile, May Arts light pink dotted ribbon, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon (SU), Pink Heart Rain Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals & Sponges

Berry Bliss Flap Card

I wanted to do a 'no brainer' card today, so I decided to make another flap card. Cards go together much faster, once you choose your layout, don't you agree?

I love the new Berry Bliss patterned paper from SU, and that's what I've used here. The large flower that is punched with my scallop circle punch, is from "So Many Scallops" (a Sale-A Bration set). The inside of my card uses the "One of a Kind" set.

It's late, and I have to head off to bed. Thanks for stopping by today!!

Stamps: So Many Scallops, One of a Kind
Card Stock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Berry Bliss
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Scalloped Circle punch (SU), Coluzzle System with Circle template, Crafter's Tool kit (for paper piercing), Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss, Purely Pomegranate stitched ribbon, BasicGrey magnetic snap closures, Soft Subtles button, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Stampin' Sponge

Splitcoaststampers Survey

Are you a member of Splitcoaststampers? Well here's your chance to speak out on an opinion poll. It doesn't take long, and you have the opportunity to voice your valuable opinions. Click here for the survey.

How Sweet For Mom

Images ©Gina K. Designs, LLC

Sorry I haven't been on here much this week. I have been busy with the kids (homework), and too worn out to stamp at night by the time they go to bed.

This card is for my Mom for her birthday. She loves cheesecake, so that was what I was going for here. My Mom is a Type 2 diabetic, so when I saw Gina K.'s new stamps for a cause...of course I had to get it. Never mind that it's sooo cute too!! (Oh...and I also have a nephew who is Type 1). If you want to learn more about this special "How Sweet it is!" stamp set, click here.

I decided to do another of Kirsten's Kick Stand cards. They are fun, and quick to make. The patterned paper is Maybe Baby Valentine 8x8 pad by daisyd's (Jacksonbelle Embellishments). My Nestabilites were used for the circle and scalloped circle, and the image was colored with my Copic Sketch markers. The ribbon is from the retired Flirty collection (SU).

Thanks for looking, and have a fun weekend!!

Stamps: How Sweet it is! (Gina K. Designs, LLC)
Card Stock: Pale Plum, Rose Red, Neenah Solar White, Maybe Baby Valentine (daisyd's)
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic Sketch markers, Spica Glitter pens
Accessories: Flirty ribbon (SU), Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities & Big Shot, Crystal Effects (on the flame), Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Fabriano Spring Song

Before I became a stamper, I was really into Hallmark cards. I used to go to the Hallmark store once a month for my needed birthday, anniversary, and whatever other cards I needed for the month. I would walk out of the store with a stack of pretty cards, and they were all single layer....more simplistic styled cards. I love how Hallmark cards have changed since then, and are starting to look more and more like our hand-crafted beauties. I do, however, still appreciate the simplistic-styled cards. I guess that's why I do them quite often.

When I'm using an image as beautiful as this one (Spring Song set from SU), I find a "busy" styled card can distract from the beauty of the image itself. Quite often, when I choose to watercolor a single-layer card, I'll grab my Fabriano Medioevalis cards that I purchased from Starlit Studios (I didn't see any in her store right now). I stamped the image with Jet Black StazOn, and watercolored with my Classic inks and Aqua Painter. The beautiful May Arts ribbon was purchased at Jacksonbelle Embellishments, and the Adornit Gems from Eclectic Paperie.

Thanks for visiting today!

Stamps: Spring Song
Card Stock: Fabriano Medioevalis (5x5)
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Classic inks- Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Really Rust, Going Gray, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Aqua Painter, May Arts ribbon, White Adornit Gems

DCG108 Pretty Princess

This is my DCG108 challenge card for the January Dirty Dozen past and present challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.

• Use a girl (any age) for your main image
• Include something sweet (Interpret how you like)
• No A-2 size
  

Images ©Lizzie Anne Designs

My little princess is from the adorable new set, Once Upon a Time by Lizzie Anne Designs. My sweetness is the patterned paper Candy Girl (from the Hey Sugar/Cosmo Cricket collection) purchased at Jacksonbelle Embellishments. My card is 4¼ x ¼ inches.

Thanks for looking, and happy Sunday!!

Stamps: Once Upon a Time (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Candy Girl (from Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Palette Noir, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Copic Sketch Markers, Spica Glitter pens
Accessories: Corner Rounder punch, Marvy Uchida Super Scalloped Rectangle, Nestabilities & Big Shot (Oval and Scalloped Square), Adornit Gems, May Arts ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

WSC31

This is the sketch for Beate's weekend challenge #31. I'm so glad I was able to get to it a bit earlier this week. ;)

Here's my card:



This adorable hippo is in Melanie's new set, "Just so Hippy", which is manufactured by Gina K. Designs. Isn't she darling?

The base of my card is Cameo Coral. The Soft Sky layer was embossed with my Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug folder from Eclectic Paperie. The strip of designer paper is from the new Western Sky paper from SU. I stamped the hippo on Naturals White paper with Palette Noir ink, and colored with my Aqua Painter and Classic inks. I used my Nestabilites for the circle and scalloped circle. I used my SU Build-a-Brad kit to make my brads with the flower from the set.

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Stamps: Just so Hippy (Melanie Muenchinger/Gina K. Designs)
Card Stock: Cameo Coral, Soft Sky, Naturals White, Western Sky (SU)
Ink: Palette Noir, Blue Bayou, Cameo Coral, Soft Sky, Pretty In Pink, Signo White gel pen
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Pewter Build-a-Brad kit, ½ inch Circle punch, Word Window punch, Large Oval punch, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug folder, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities & Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Flourishes Love Birds

Images©Flourishes, LLC

I soooo love these sweet little birds from Flourishes Love Nest set. They are as cute at can be, and I couldn't wait to showcase them on this Kick Stand card (developed by Kirsten DuBosque). My card is a different size tho, and measures 4¼ x 4¼ inches. I used Wild Wasabi for the base, and the patterned paper is Two Scoops by BasicGrey (Jacksonbelle Embellishments). The birds are stamped with StazOn Jet Black on watercolor paper, and colored with my classic inks and Aqua Painter. I stamped the birds three times, and paper-pieced them for a nice look. The circles and scalloped circle is created using my Nestabilities. The beautiful ribbon was purchased at Flourishes as well.

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Stamps: Love Nest (Flourishes, LLC)
Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, watercolor, Two Scoops (BasicGrey)
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Soft Sky, Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Circle/Scalloped Circle Nestabilites & Big Shot, Aqua Painter, Tombo Mono Muti Glue, Corner Rounder Punch (new SU), wide satin ribbon, Stampin' Sponge

Double Challenge

I've made this card as a double challenge from Beate. Yes...I know I'm late, but here it is anyhow. ;)

I'm not really sure why, but I couldn't get a good picture of this. The colors are off in the photo, and you can't see the Rain Dot in the center of the Jolies Fleurs flower. Oh well...I think you get the idea. The double challenge is: Beate's sketch and inspiration from last week.

Images ©Lizzie Anne Designs & Cornish Heritage Farms

Stamps: Jolies Fleurs & Sketched Sentiments (Lizzie Anne Designs), Tri Dots Backgrounder (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, PaperTrey Select
Ink: Chocolate Chip, VersaMark, Palette Noir, Copic Sketch markers
Accessories: BasicGrey Mellow ribbon, Jumbo Rain Dots, Photo Corners Thin Cuts & Big Shot (Ellison Designs), Stampin' Sponge & Dimensionals

RAK from Alison Manning

Images ©Stampin' Up!® 1990-2008

I received this beautiful card in the mail today. It's from Alison Manning, and it is such a beauty!! I love the pretty colors, papers, and layout! It's so lovely Ali! Thank you!!!

I'm sorry I didn't get around to posting this until late. Thanks for stopping by!!

I'm Still Here!

I've been busy finishing up "my stuff" for the January DD Gallery at Splitcoaststampers. Have you checked it out yet? There's some amazing creations there, if you haven't already took a peek. (You have to be in the fan club to view this gallery). I'm so excited for our new girls too, and all the fun they're having today. Congratulations, ladies!!

In my last post I mentioned about being tagged for the '7 things you may not know about me' thing, so I'll do that now.

Jan over at She's gone Stampin' tagged me a while ago. I'm sorry it took me so long to do this, Jan! Thanks for the tag! (Not interesting stuff...but here you go anyhow).

1. I enjoy shoveling snow (best when under 6 inches though). I was up at 1:30 AM last night, cleaning off the driveway so my DH could make it up the hill when he got home.

2. I'm an animal lover!! My favorite is dogs. We only have one currently, but would have more if we had a nice fenced in area for them to play and run free.

3. I don't go to the movies. I would rather wait for them to come out on DVD so that I can watch them over and over again. The smaller screen doesn't bother me the least bit.

4. I love to inline skate. When I bought my first pair of Rollerblades way back when they were the 'new thing', my oldest sister told me it was a fad. I'm on my third pair, now. ;)

5. When I was in my tween/teen years...I used to dream of having my own parallel bars and trampoline to play on. If I were to get them today, I would still use them.

6. I dislike long nails on myself. If they start getting to long...I file those babies down! (Don't like to mess with polish either).

7. I don't enjoy scrapbooking. I'll only do it when I have to.

So are you bored yet??? Lol.

I have me some new stamps in the house. I'm playing once the kids go to bed, and hope to have something new to share tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping!! (Now I have some burfing to do. ;D)

Super Share Sunday

Hi everyone! I decided to make this Sunday, my day to share some beautiful cards made by my friends.

The first card is made by one of my most sweetest and talented blogger friends, Dawn. Isn't this a beauty? I love the colors and scallops...and check out that pretty sparkle!! Thanks Dawn! It so beautiful!! Check out more of Dawn's wonderful creations at her blog, Treasure Oiler Designz.

From Dawn Easton

Images ©Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

The next grouping of cards are some beautiful swaps that I received at my Glitzy Gals meeting last Friday. (Thanks for watching the kids so I could attend, Sharon!!!) Everyone used their new SU hostess set, "Time Well Spent" for their creations. What a lovely variety, huh? Love them all ladies! I had a great time visiting and catching up with you all!

Here they are, in no particular order:

From Lori

Images ©Stampin' Up! ®1990-2008


From LennaImages ©Stampin' Up! ®1990-2008


From RhondaImages ©Stampin' Up! ® 1990-2008


From Jill AnnImages ©Stampin' Up! ®1990-2008


From KathyImages ©Stampin' Up! ® 1990-2008

Thanks for stopping by today! I've been tagged again, so I'll see if I can finish my list... and post a bit later.

You Make My Day Award!

I've been awarded by the super talented Deb, at Crafty Card-I Higgins. Deb does such beautiful work, and I am so honored to receive the award from her!

The rules:

Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on.

I'm going to pick some "Make My Day" girls that I haven't chosen for awards yet, 'cause I want to spread the "love". I could choose all on my blog roll ( and more), 'cause you all make me happy to be in blog land!!

1. Beth @ A Stampin' Good Time

2. Chat @ Me, My Stamps and I

3. Donna @ Serenity In Stamping

4. Jane @ Jane's Creative Stamping

5. Kathleen @ My Happy Place

6. Laura @ Crafty Laura

7. Melanie @ Hands, Head and Heart

8. Robyn @ The Pink Stamper

9. Theresa @ The Joy of Cards

10. Tricia @ Simply Stamping

Thanks again for the award, Deb!! :D

Time Well Spent Flap Card

This is a swap card I made for my demonstrator meeting tonight. I know I've been making a lot of these flap cards, but I can't help it. They're too much fun! This one uses our freebie Time Well Spent set that we received from SU. I also used my new Bali Breeze paper (sooo pretty). The sentiment is a rub-on from the Eastern Elegance set of rub-ons.

I have some beautiful swap cards to share with you a little later, and some other chit chat. I'll either post later today, or tomorrow.

Thanks for looking, and I hope you have a nice weekend!!

Stamps: Time Well Spent
Card Stock: Old Olive, Naturals White, Bali Breeze
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, White Gel Pen
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Coluzzle Cutting System (circle template), Scalloped Circle punch, Cratfter's Tool Kit (for the paper piercing), Quickie Glue pen & Dazzling Diamonds, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, BasicGrey Magnetic Snaps, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges

Happy with Lizzie Anne

Stamped images are ©Lizzie Anne Designs

Look how happy my little princess is with the newly released stamps from Lizzie Anne Designs. Have you checked out their new release yet? There is something for everyone, and if you would like to check it out, click here.

I am trying to finish up some other design team stuff, so those cute little images are all I have to show you right now. I made a mistake and stamped them with StazOn Jet Black, (which will bleed when coloring with Copic markers)....but I was very careful, and they actually turned out pretty good. I also highlighted areas with my Spica Glitter pens, and you can see all the details much better if you click on the picture to zoom. The princess is from Once Upon a Time, and the Ballerina is a Simply Singles stamp.

Thanks for visiting today!!

Lizzie Anne Designs Sketch

I haven't tried a Lizzie Anne Designs sketch in a very long time, so I was happy to be able to do one again. Here's this weeks' sketch:



You may find the details here, if you'd like to play along as well.

Here's the card I made:

Images ©Lizzie Anne Designs

We were supposed to use our favorite color in our design, and mine is blue. I especially love blue with green, so I used it on this. The base is Always Artichoke with a Soft Sky matt, and Buckaroo Blue (embossed with my Textile Cuttlebug folder and Big Shot). The designer paper is Periphery from BasicGrey.

I stamped the flower on Naturals White, then watercolored with my Classic inks and Aqua Painter. The flower was cut out, and I added an Epoxy sticker in the center. The sentiment is from Sketched Sentiments.

I will add the rest of the links later, as I need to be heading off to bed real soon!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you've enjoyed your visit!!

Stamps: Floral Frenzy, Sketched Sentiments (both from Lizzie Anne Designs)
Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Soft Sky, Buckaroo Blue, Naturals White, Periphery (BasicGrey)
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Classic Inks--Soft Sky, Always Artichoke, Buckaroo Blue
Accessories: Olive Organdy ribbon, Word Window punch, Textile Cuttlebug Embossing folder, clear epoxy sticker (left over from 7Gypsies Naked Bracelet kit

Yay....Beate's Sketch WSC29

Woo hoo!! Beate is back with her weekend sketches! Here's her sketch for this weekend.


Here's my card:

Images © Stampendous, and Verve Visual

The base is More Mustard, and the designer paper is Hey Sugar from Cosmo Cricket (Jacksonbelle Embellishments). Rose Red is used for the matting, popped flower, and stitched ribbon (retired Sweet Shop from SU). The "Bee Buddies" (Eclectic Paperie) are stamped with Adirondack Espresso on PaperTrey Select card stock (distressed with Tim Holtz Antique Linen ink) . I colored them with my Copic Sketch markers, and Spica glitter pens (Ellen Hutson's store). The sentiment is Thoughtful Phrases (Verve Visual). The stem of the flower is Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss, colored with my Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker. The flower is punched with my retired Spring Bouquet punch from SU, and the center is Adornit jewels from EP.

Stamps: Bee Buddies (Stampendous), Thoughful Phrases (Verve Visual)
Card Stock: More Mustard, Rose Red, PaperTrey Select, Hey Sugar (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, Copic Sketch markers, Spica Glitter pens
Accessories: Sweet Shop ribbon (retired SU), Adornit gems, Stampin' Dimensionals, Spring Bouquet punch


Here's a simple Valentine I made with my Stampendous owls, Ollie & Olivia (Eclectic Paperie). The sentiment is from Year Round Puns (PaperTrey Ink).

Images ©Stampendous & PaperTrey Ink

The base is PaperTrey Select. The image is stamped with Adirondack Espresso, and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers, The ribbon is May Arts, and the bling is Heart Rain Dots.

Stamps: Ollie & Olivia (Stampendous), Year Round Puns (PaperTrey Ink)
Card Stock: PaperTrey Select
Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Copic Sketch markers
Accessories: May Arts ribbon, Heart Rain Dots

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend!!

Sledding

The kids have been off school, so my schedule has been way off from the norm. They were sooo thrilled when we had the big snow on New Year's Eve, and have been having so much fun sledding in our front yard. Here's a picture of Lance taking his turn down the cool sled run my DH built for them.

Here's the sledding snowman card I made. This snowman is Sledding Snowman from Cornish Heritage Farms, and is one of Asela's adorable images.

Stamps: Sledding Snowman (CHF), Christmas in the City(LAD)
Card Stock: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Naturals Ivory
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Clear Spica Glitter pen, Dye Inks--Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Only Orange, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder & Big Shot, Adornit Jewels, May Arts ribbon, Word Window punch, Ticket Corner punch, Quickie Glue pen & Dazzling Diamonds, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals

 I used a Blue Bayou base, and the embossed snowflake layer in Soft Sky. The image is stamped on Naturals Ivory with StazOn Jet Black, and colored with my Aqua Painter and dye inks. I omitted the holly from the front of the sled so that I could use this card for a winter greeting card instead of a Christmas card. I highlighted the snow with my Quickie Glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds. The sentiment is from my Lizzie Anne Christmas in the City set, and punched out with my Word Window punch. My Ticket Corner punch was used for the corners, and decorated with Adornit Jewels. Ribbon is May Arts.

Thanks for visiting today!!

Embrace Life Sympathy

It's unfortunate to have the need to make a sympathy card.

I used my new SU Embrace Life set for the images, and Close As a Memory for the Sentiment. The designer paper is Ginger Blossom. I think these colors are so beautiful, and I hope the receiver does as well.

For a larger view, click image to zoom.

Thanks for visiting today.

Stamps: Embrace Life, Close As a Memory
Card Stock: River Rock, Naturals White, Groovy Guava, Ginger Blossom
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, River Rock, Groovy Guava
Accessories: Scor-Pal®, Nestabilities (Circles) & and Big Shot, Crafters Tool Kit (piercing), Groovy Guava stitched ribbon, BasicGrey magnetic snap closures, Aqua Painter, Blender Pen (for smaller details)