Having A Moment...

Okay, so guess what????? I am today's featured stamper on SCS...WOOHOOO!!! I woke up this morning and got in my email and there was a message from my friend Silke telling me the fabulous news!! Luckily, I have all of you to share my excitement with, because trying to explain to my DH what that meant in our world didn't go over so hot...the most I got out of him was "that was the year I was born"-his reply to when I told him I was FS80 and "so people basically steal your work?"-his response to my explanation of CASEing. Men....don't they know that CASEing someones work is the best form of stamping flattery you can get??? Oh well, back to my card... I used this super cute swimsuit as my inspiration for this card. Yes I realize they don't look a thing alike, but that is why it is an inspiration challenge, right? I started by stamping my tee shirt from Melanie Muenchingers new Little Tees set. I stamped the flowers from the Gina K. set Framed Flowers(by Carolyn King) in Perfect Plum, and then kept stamping till the ink was faded(basically only inked the flowers once). I then took the Mom stamp from Gina's set, Spring Blooms and stamped it in Perfect Plum. The tee was cut out and popped up on a panel of Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant and Basic Black. The Plum and the White were run through my Cuttlebug with my script folder and the scalloped circles were also cut with my Cuttlebug. I then used some REALLY OLD SU paper on the bottom and wrapped some black organdy and white taffeta around the middle to hide the seam. I stamped my sentiment from the SU Holidays and Wishes set with Black Stazon on the paper and pierced a line around it. In hindsight, I would have totally left that out, but you know what they say about hind sight...its 20/20. I also pierced and faux stitched a border around the whole card.

Well, that is it for me now!! My nephew will be back for a full week tomorrow, so hopefully he is feeling a lot better so I can spend some time stamping and in the gallery...I got a lot of commenting done in my FS gallery, but got kicked off of SCS, boohoo! Thanks for stopping by and for all the well wishes I have received from all of you...It really means so much to me!! Have a great day!!!

A Sale and a Sketch

So, since my last post a TON has happened, so I will try to keep this brief(HAVE to get to bed!!)!!! On Thursday, my sister and I took my nephew to get his 2month immunizations. He cried a lot, as most babies do, and then he passed out. When I left, about and hour after they were done, he was fine. Within the next hour his poor little leg swelled up and he started screaming like nothing my sister had ever heard before. She rushed him to the ER, where my mom was working(thank goodness), and they decided that he must have either had an allergy to one of the shots or an injection site reaction to them. Needless to say, we were all scared to death. I don't think a single one of us got a good nights sleep that night!! I saw him today, and he is doing much better, but boy did he give us a scare. My sister informed me that I had NOT heard his pain cry yet, and if I could help it, I should never have to!!

Okay, enough babble, here is my card!! I made this card for three reasons. The first being that it was made using Jen del Muro's Sketch for you to try. The second was to announce the special back to school sale at Paper Pretties. Here are the details!!

.....If you spend $25 you get a free sentiment.

.....If you spend $50 you get a free sentiment and a free roll of American Crafts ribbon

.....If you spend $100 you get a free sentiment, a free roll of ribbon and FREE SHIPPING!!Wahooo!

The sale will run from Friday the 15th all the way until the 30th!

There is no coupon code or anything like that you just need to enter your choice of free

merchandise in the comments box when you check out!

Awesome right!!

My last reason was so that I would have a card to send to my niece for her first day back to school. I decided that my Off To School Sophia was the perfect image to use to send to her. I colored my Sophia with my SU markers(which qualifies it for the ways to use it challenge for this week too) and blended it with my aqua painter. I added some silver brads to the top corners of the main image panel and also the top and side panel that were made with some Summer Picnic DSP and Old Olive card stock. I tied some white taffeta and some ruby ribbon from one of my SU Ribbon Original packs around the top too. The apple is from my SU Tart and Tangy set and was stamped twice, once in Old Olive and once in Ruby Red. I then cut out the red apple, popped it up, layered all my circle panels and then added crystal effects to make it shiny.

Well, that is it for me now...I hope to get to stamp a lot tomorrow, but we will see!!LOL!!

Yayyy, I Stamped!!

Since I started taking care of my nephew Jared, my stamping time has seen a DRAMATIC downslide. Unfortunately, by the time he leaves I am pooped and ready for a nap. LOL!! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have it any other way( by that I mean him being here), but I just need to figure out how I am going to do what I love all day, and STILL be able to do what I love at night.

Since today was a sorta STRESSFUL day, I decided that no matter what, I was stamping. I sat down to do two cards, one for my nephew's birthday and one for the SCS color and sketch challenges. I started by TRYING to combine the two challenges, but that was a no go. I really dislike this color combo(Old Olive, Taken With Teal and Eggplant Envy), so I decided to do it separately. Why do you ask, because I love a challenge, and I miss doing them daily! The other day I was looking at my friend Silke's blog and my DH came in the room. He asked me who had made the card on the screen and I told him who and asked why...and he said, bravely, I knew it wasn't you....!! I asked him why he said that, and he said, your cards have more stuff on them...LOL!!! Who knew he was even paying attention!! So, in an effort to prove him wrong(and to use as little of this color combo), I decided to do a Silke inspired card. My main image was colored with my SU markers and then stamped. The sentiment is from the Verve Stamps set All About You. I pierced a border around it, added some wide grosgrain olive ribbon, and some silver brads, and it was done. Not my usually style, but I love it!!! I APOLOGIZE for the awful picture...just can't get the lighting right tonight!!

This next card was made using the SCS sketch challenge. I stamped my main image from the retired SU set Cowboy Kid. I colored him in with my SU markers and layered him with Real Red and Night of Navy(after distressing some of the edges). The DP is from the SU Prints Pack. I tied some hemp twine around the top and then added the sentiment. It is from the SU set Birthday Banter, and was cut out with my Word Window punch. I added some aged copper brads to it too. The star was stamped, colored and cut out. Since it is for my cousin Brody(he will be 4), I added a B to it with my SU Black marker.

Well, that is it for me now!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Prettie Wednesday-3 embellishments!!

Two weeks ago I challenged the Prettie Girls to make a card using three embellishments, which is normally not a problem for me, but hard for most other people. Truth be told, this is just my rebellion against Charmaines one embellishment challenge from a couple of weeks ago!!LOL!!!

I wanted to use my super cute Falling For You image from Paper Pretties for this challenge. This super cute Sophia is part of our Stamp of the Month Club, and you have until August 31st at midnight to sign up to receive her a MONTH before anyone else can even buy her...how cool is that!! Be sure to tell them I sent you!!!

It is no secret, I love my Sophia stamps, and this on is no exception!! I can remember when I was a nanny, I would rake the leaves into a huge pile and let the little girl I took care of jump in it....of course then her dad would come home and take them all away, but we had fun while it lasted!! Sophia was stamped with Black Stazon on white paper and colored with my SU markers and aqua painter. I then layered her with Chocolate Chip and Really Rust. The paper is from the Fall Flowers SU DSP pack. I used some yummy satin ribbon to separate my layers and added a spiral clip with some chocolate taffeta to it. The chipboard heart is from Making Memories and was also covered with some Fall Flowers DSP. In the center of the heart, I put a gold brad as well as some at the bottom. This card is on its way to Danielle. Hope she likes it!!

Be sure to go around and check out the other Prettie Girls and see what they have done for this challenge!!

Christie Ortman
Julie Masse
Charmaine Ikach
Jana Weaver
Jillian Winters
Danielle Lounds
Jodi Collins
Jackie Rakoski
Joni Stringfield

Donna Baker

Carolina Buchting

This weeks challenger is Danielle, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Some SFYTT Eye Candy

I had so much fun being Jen del Muro's guest designer, and I REALLY loved all the cards that I got to make for her blog. Since my term is over, I thought I would share them with you here in case you missed them. Here is the card that I did the very first week. I used my favorite set and paper from SU. It is Bloomin Beautiful and Afternoon Tea DSP. Since Mr. Brown hasn't brought me my catalogs-YET!!!, I honestly have no idea if this set made it into the catalog...hmmm, need to check that out!! Anyway, I water colored the flower with my SU reinkers and an aqua painter. I added a ton of silver brads(as always) and some yummy chocolate satin ribbon. The sentiment is from the Paper Pretties set Sealed With A Kiss. I love that set so much, and forget to use it...bad design team member!! hehe...

This next card was made for week two( I think it was week two). It was made using the newly retired Artfully Asian stamp set from SU. I colored the flowers with my Rose Red marker and sponged a lot. I have to say that out of all the layouts, this one and I didn't get along at all. I had the hardest time with this card, but I do think it turned out fine. I am sure you are surprised, but I added some silver brads, black organdy, and silver cord. The sentiment is from the SU set Absolutely fabulous. The circle layers were cut out with my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug.

For this card, I used my favorite masculine set Bronc Buster. I stamped him in Chocolate Chip ink and distressed and sponged the edges. I used twill tape and some decorative brads from Making Memories to make my side panels. The paper is Outlaw DSP that is retired from SU. Is anyone else still kicking themselves for not buying extra of this stuff?? I honestly hate to hoard anything, but what is a girl to do?? LOL!! The sentiment is from the SU All Holidays set.

For my final card, and by far one of my FAVORITE cards I have ever made, I used the Whipper Snapper set Posies For You. This set was designed by Anna Wight, and it is AWESOME!! So many super cute flowers, that sweet little butterfly and bucket. GENIUS!! I colored my flowers, bucket and butterfly with my SU markers. The butterfly and bucket were cut out and glued on separately. The butterflies trail was made with my piercing tool. The flowers are from Michaels and are actually found in the wedding aisle. They are called Bride Confetti, and there are a ton of them in this super cute little pail. I used some Hydrangea dew drops as their centers. The scalloped layer was cut out with my Nesties, and then pierced. I used three spiral clips and added some ribbon to the side. On the green panel, I added some Bazil White mini brads. The paper on this one is Cutie Pie DSP from SU. It just retired, and I don't wanna talk about it...boohooohooo.....so sad!

Well, that is ENOUGH for me now!! My nephew is sound asleep in his bouncy chair so I really should try to get some stamping done!! Wish me luck!!

Happy Birthday Danielle!!

Today is one of my fellow Prettie Girls birthdays, and since we Prettie Girls love a party, this one is for you Danielle!! My job was to bring the cake, but I was running behind this week, so I had Coopers pet turtle bring it!! The layout is from one of the Verve Stamps Anni-Verve-sary sketch challenges. The main images were colored with SU markers and blended with an aqua painter. The circles were cut with my nesties. I used some paper from the Basic Grey Cupcake collection for the side panels as well as the photo corners. I used a bunch of Bella Baubles on this one!!

Be sure to blurf around and see what the other Pretties have cooked up for Danielle!! Hope it is a great one Danielle!!

Christie
Julie

Charmaine

Jodi

Jackie

Did Ya Miss Me??

Sorry for the long absence!! I have been desperately trying to get on my computer, but time and life did not allow it this weekend!! On Saturday, after work, DH and I tackled some jobs around the house and then had my nieces birthday that afternoon. By the time we got done at her party and took his cousin Mallory(she is 8 and HAD to go to the party with us) to dinner at Pizza Hut..we were pooped!! We drove around in the country looking for deer(yes...that is JUST as exciting as it sounds) and then layed in bed and watched Transformers. Okay correction, I watched Transformers...he rolled over and snored!!LOL!! Then on Sunday, after we ate breakfast together, I took my niece Taylor to get her school clothes and supplies with my Dad. We had so much fun, but by the end of the day, my niece had had it!! She had tried on as many clothes as she could, and by the last store, even though they had an entire wall dedicated to Hannah Montana and High School Musical, she didn't even look, she just stood there. Dad took her out to the lobby while I finished shopping....she was done!! I am pleased to say that she is ready to tackle 2nd grade, by that I mean that she has all the tools...but for the first year since she started school she really doesn't want to go back...she is so funny!!

Anyway, I haven't stamped since Friday-the horror- so I am going to show you a card that I made for one of the Paper Pretties release party challenges. The challenge was to make a party related item. so I made this You're Invited card for Coopers Pool Party. This image is part of the Paper Pretties Beach Bum set. It features Cooper along with a couple of sentiments and an ADORABLE snail and turtle!! I stamped Cooper with Black Stazon on Whisper White and colored him in with my SU markers and aqua painter. He is layered with Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore. I used my Cuttlebug to cut the big DP circle of blue paper, and then used it to emboss the white layer with the swirls folder. The hardware is from the SU stylized silver hardware. I added a spiral clip with some Pumpkin striped ribbon , a bunch of silver brads, and some piercing. That is it for me now. Today is the first day that Jared and I are officially alone-this post has taken over an hour-LOL!! Hopefully, I will get some time to stamp today to make up for my weekend laziness!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!!

stamps-Beach Bum and All Year Cheer SU

paper-Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Green Galore, Tempting Turqouise, and Imagine That DP

ink-Black Stazon

tools-SU markers, Cuttlebug, swirls folder, circle nesties, silver brads, hardware, aqua painter, designer label punch, pumpkin ribbon, swirl clip

Happy Birthday Baby Katie!!

Today is my niece's birthday, and I wanted to make her an extra special birthday card for her!! Happy Birthday Katie, I love you so much!!! Katie, actually Katelyn, is the youngest of my little sisters children, and she is as sweet as can be. She has quite the personality, and every time she spends the night, there is never a dull moment. Her party is tomorrow, so I HAD to get her card done today, nothing like waiting until the last minute!! I used my new stamps I got yesterday from Starving Artistamps. I am sure I had seen some of Starving Artistamps stamps before she started using them, but my recent NEED to purchase was fueled by the SUPER cute creations from Donna Baker. She does such wonderful things with their images and was recently asked to join their design team, YOU GO GIRL!!! Anyway, I stamped my Princess Winifred image from the Doodlefactory Fairytale collection with Black Stazon on Whisper White. I then colored her in with my SU markers. The sketch is the first sketch that was issued in the Verve stamps Anni-Verve-sary celebration. There are twelve sketches and I only have one sketch done....I don't think I am gonna make it, but I am gonna try!! I paired Winifred with a sentiment from the Verve Stamps set, All About You. I used a ton of silver brads and some white taffeta from SU. The scallops were made with my new scallop punch from SU. I ran the white panel and the pink "awning" and triangles through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss dots folder(I stamped the sentiment first). That is it for me for now, I am off to try to stamp some more!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

stamps-Starving Artistamps-Doodlefactory Fairytale-Princess Winifred, and Verve Stamps All About You

paper-Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and 3 Bugs in a Rug DP

ink-Black Stazon

tools-Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder, SU markers, silver brads, scallop punch, white taffeta

Sketch Challenge...sorta!

Well, I guess you can say I tried, right? In my defense, I checked the sketch challenge on SCS last night before I went to bed, and never looked at it again. Which explains why my triangle panels are opposite what they are supposed to be...oh well!!! I still LOVE my card!!! I used my favorite flower stamp, Bloomin Beautiful, from SU, and colored it in with my ink pads and aquapainter. I used a couple of SU markers for shading purposes though!! This is the new Bella Rose DSP from SU and it is GORGEOUS!! The gingham ribbon is one of those 99cent spools you can get at JoAnns and the organdy is some retired SU narrow organdy. I added a TON of silver brads to this too...I know, SHOCKING!! The sentiment is from Hugs and Wishes(I think, or is it Holidays and wishes, hmmm). That is all for me today, hopefully I will get to stamp again in the morning!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

stamps- Bloomin Beautiful and Hugs and Wishes

paper- Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, and Bella Rose DSP

ink- Black Stazon, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss

tools-silver brads, organdy ribbon, gingham ribbon, SU markers, aqua painter

Prettie Wednesday-3x3

So, I am not a huge fan of the 3x3 cards, only because I make them, and forget to use them!! I think they are cute, and great for gifts, but you have to remember to put them WITH the gift...maybe I should work on that??LOL!! Anyway, two weeks ago Jodi(kharmagirl) posted her first challenge to the Prettie girls to make a 3x3 card. Ever since I saw this turtle I have had this card in my head. I tried it once, but it didn't look right, because the image is so small it doesn't fill up the card unless you use more than one. When I saw Jodi's challenge, I KNEW I wanted to finally make my card. Since you know me, and you know how I {heart} my embellishments, I had to get as many as possible on here. I paired the turtle from the newly released Beach Bum set at Paper Pretties with the sentiment for one of my favorites, One Of Those Days. Isn't it hysterical, IMHO. I think it is so cute....and I bet you know what I wanna do with the snail from that set too...I see a big wall in his future, LOL!!! Poor little guys!! Anyway, I stamped my turtle with Black Stazon, colored him with a blender pen and my Apricot Appeal marker and punched him out with my 1 3/8ths circle punch. I then layered him with a scallop circle punched out of Wild Wasabi. The ribbon is Wild Wasabi striped ribbon(can you tell I was working with the mess that was out on my table still). At the bottom, I added the sentiment and three silver brads. The paper is from the SU Prints Pack. Okay, so yes, I admitted it, I just made this last night...I am so bad!! I promise you(whoever you are that I am SUPPOSED to mail this too), I will mail it ASAP!!

That is it for me now!! Hopefully I can get some time to work on the SCS sketch challenge today, it is interesting!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! Be sure to blurf around and check out the other Prettie girl's(Christie, Charmaine, Danielle, Jackie, Jessie, Jana, Jillian, Julie, Joni, and Donna) creations and check out Joni(our illustrator)'s new blog to see what kind of a challenge she has in store for us this week...next week is my embellishment challenge, should be interesting!!

stamps-Beach Bum and One of Those Days

paper-Wild Wasabi, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White and Prints Pack

ink-Black Stazon and Wild Wasabi

tools-circle punches, SU marker, blender pen, striped ribbon, silver brads

And for those of you needing a baby fix, here is a picture I took of Jared yesterday watching his video Carolina sent. He loved it so much this is the only un blurry pic I got of him. His little legs and arms were flying all over the place!!