Saturday, May 24, 2008

Don't Worry

the funk is over, at least I think it is. I no longer feel like it should be Sunday, and I am stamping, so it must be okay, right? Right!! Anyway, this is my card for the Great Swaps Girls challenge that was posted this past week by Monique. I am still trying to figure out what to do for the challenge posted two weeks ago(Survivor Style), but this came pretty easy. Cameo Coral has been making appearances on my cards a lot lately, which is good thing since I am still using the same package I bought two years ago!!LOL!! Monique challenged us to make a card using Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery and Kraft. I started with a Kraft base(4x8 folded) and layered it with the other colors. My images are from the SU set Embrace Life and are stamped on Whisper White with Black Stazon. I then colored them with my SU markers. I initially intended to do two large eyelets with ribbon going through it, but couldn't get any of my ribbon to look right, so I added another big eyelet and some rhinestone brads to make it sparkle(see the saying). I am almost caught up now, I even got to get on SCS today and post some comments, but I hate to see how far behind in my Google reader!!YIKES!!!
stamps-Embrace Life and Warm Words
paper-Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Kraft
ink- Black Stazon
tools-SU markers, large eyelets, rhinestone brads, white taffeta
Here is the card I made for the second challenge posted at the Paper Pretties release party. It was to use Dark Brown, Light Blue and Celery. I chose to use this cute puppy from the Rainy Day Friend set. I used my markers to color him in and cut him out using my Cuttlebug and Nestibilites. This card is 4x4 with a Chocolate Chip base then layered with Bashful Blue and Certainly celery. I pierced around the edges and added three different ribbons. That's all for me for now!! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are all having a safe and happy weekend!!
stamps-Rainy Day Friend
paper- Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
ink-Black Stazon
tools-Cuttlebug, nestabilities, SU markers, ribbon, paper piercer and template

Am I Alone

I swear to you, yesterday was the longest day of my life!! Am I alone on this one?? I swear it drug on forever and now I feel like today should be Sunday. Oh well, what can you do!! To the shock of many that know me, I think I was only on the computer for maybe an hour yesterday and went to bed by 9:30!! Of course, that meant that at 5:30 I was WIDE awake and still groggy, makes it kind of hard to stamp! Unfortunately, or fortunately(depends on how you look at it), today is my Dad’s birthday and I HAD to stamp, because with everything else that I have been doing, I forgot to make him a card. Yes I know, I am a bad daughter. I did call though, and we have a lunch date tomorrow, so I really don’t need it till tomorrow(can you tell I am trying to make myself feel better). Since I was in no mood to stamp, I decided to make it easy on myself and use both the inspiration challenge and Beate’s weekend sketch challenge. The inspiration piecewas some gorgeous advertisement pictures for an interior design company. I was inspired to use some new paper I had picked up at Michaels yesterday by K and Company(they have all their paper packs 25%off,yayyy). Since I needed it to be masculine, I picked one that was sorta manly(hey I tried) and matched it with Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi, and So Saffron. The top is Very Vanilla and was run through my Cuttlebug with the Paisley folder. I added three pewter brads to the top corner because it was looking kind of bare. My dad is a no nonsense kind of guy, so I probably pushed it with the ribbon, but hey, it’s a sickness!! The sentiment is from Circle of Friendship and I used various sized SU punched to create the layers. The scalloped layer is actually two scalloped circles glued together and then punched. The build a brad was made using the reverse side to my paper. Isn’t it yummy!! I really liked the other side, but it was just a tiny bit too fru fru for Dad.
Stamps- Circle of Friendship
Paper-Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, and K&Co. DP
Ink- Wild Wasabi
Tools-Cuttlebug, cream wide grosgrain, wasabi stitched ribbon, pewter brads and build a brads, circle punches, paisley folder

This second card is one that I made for the first challenge at the Paper Prettiesrelease party. The challenge was to use buttons, something I don’t tend to use to often. The main image is one of the newly realeased sets Look Out World and features Cooper, Sophia’s little brother(atleast I think he is, if not, he should be). I stamped him on watercolor paper with Black Stazon and colored him in with my SU markers. I blended it with my aqua painter. The colors on this card are Ballet Blue, So Saffron, and Whisper White. I cut out the main image with my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities. That’s it for me now! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Stamps-Look Out World
Paper-Ballet Blue, So Saffron CS and DSP, Whisper White and watercolor paper
Ink-Black Stazon
Tools-Blue wide grosgrain, SU buttons, SU markers, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, aqua painter, spiral clip, white taffeta, striped ribbon

Friday, May 23, 2008

I Should Be Sleeping...

I should be sleeping, but instead I am up making a card for the Limited Supplies challenge. Today’s challenge was to make a card without hardware. The catch was, that not only could we not use hardware, but we had to use something to replace where the hardware would normally be. HMMMMM, is it possible for me to make a card without brads on it??? This was a truly difficult challenge for me and unfortunately, I should have waited til morning, but alas, I didn’t. I really love this Time For You set, the images in it are so fun. I colored it with my SU markers and then layered it with Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip. The DP is from the Linen Prints DSP, and I honestly intended to use the other side of it, but it was too busy for me. Instead of finding another piece, I just flipped it over. The sentiment is from the SU Love and Happiness rubons, and so are the flower faux brads(hope this counts). I pierced a small line under the sentiment and tied a chocolate grosgrain bow around it. Hope you like it!! Thanks for stopping by and I will be back later tomorrow to share some of the things I revealed at the Paper Pretties Release Party last night. If you didn’t get to attend, you missed a ton of chatting and fun(mostly aimed towards my DH) and some great projects. Be sure to check out the PJ party gallery at the Paper Pretties website and stop by the store to pick up some super cute stamps, my orders already in, Yayyy!!
Stamps-Time For You
Paper-Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Watercolor and Linen Prints
Ink-Black Stazon
Tools-chocolate grosgrain, rub ons, SU markers

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Oh Happy Day!!

My title has absolutely nothing to do with my post, but it was the first thing that popped in my head. First of all, I couldn't be more excited about last nights American Idol finale, David Cook rocks, and I was so happy to finally see a true artist win. I am in no way denying that David Archuleta can sing, but enough with the same old same old, ya know. He will be fine, I am sure, but anymore, I don't like to listen to sad, slow music, which after his HORRID rendition of With You, is apparent, it is all he is good at, ya know what I mean?!! The only thing I worry about is the fact that they now own David C. , I just hope they don't try to turn him into something he isn't!! Second thing that makes it a happy day is the fact that tonight at 8pmEST is the Paper Pretties PJ party. I sooo look forward to these parties, they are so much fun and you get to chat with some super sweet and talented people. We sure hope you can join us, and we would love it if you would participate in our challenges! Charmaine does a wonderful job of hosting, and I have to say, I am in LOVE with my samples!! I stamped so much yesterday I thought my hand was gonna fall off!!LOL!! Also, yesterday while I was out feeding my DH's dogs(he has hunting dogs), I saw that the rose bush the lady that lived here before us had planted was in full bloom and GORGEOUS!! Here are some pictures of my favorite bush(there is a red and a yellow, but honestly, I don't think flowers get more gorgeous than this). The other flowers are my feeble attempt at gardening by my front steps( I say steps because I am still begging for the porch that I want). Aren't they beautiful!! I wish I had thought to take pictures of the tulip trees and the lilac bush I planted before they went out. OH well. Please, don't be impressed by anything you see here, I have a black thumb, and most of what is blooming in my yard has to be a hoax, or requires little to no maintenance!!LOL
Since all that up there is probably NOT why you are here, on to my card for today!! This is the card that I made for today's Ways to Use It challenge, to do a masculine card. I chose my trusty Noble Deer set and stamped it in Brown Stazon. I then colored it in with my SU markers, blended it with an aqua painter, highlighted the chest and tail with a white gel pen, and sponged the edges(of the whole card) with Creamy Caramel. The sketch is Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketch, and I love it because I got to use some DP scraps. The hardware is from the Aged Copper set, and the ribbon is Twill Tape, and some thin ribbon from one of the retired Rustic Retreat Ribbon Originals from SU.
That's all for me now! Thanks for stopping by and checking me out, I love it when you do!! Hugs!!
stamps-Noble Deer and All Holidays
ink-Brown Stazon
paper-Creamy Carmel, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White
tools-Aged Copper hardware, SU markers, twill tape and ribbon originals, aqua painter and white gel pen

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Prettie Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!! Two weeks ago, Jules challenged the Prettie Girls to find something that we were inspired by, a blog, a website, a catalog, a piece of art . . . anything! Then make a card using that inspiration piece. I chose this gorgeous bedding from the JCPenney’s website. I loved the colors and the flowers on it. I also decided to combine this with the sketch challenge Danielle posted in the Pretties Challenge forum last week. Anyone can play along, and we really hope that you do!!I started with my Simply Special set from Paper Prettiesand stamped the image on watercolor paper, colored it with my SU markers, and cut it out using my oval nestabilities. I coved the whole watering can image with some crystal effects to make it shiny. To mimic the walls in my inspiration piece, I ran the Ruby Red layer through my Cuttlebug with the Distressed Stripes folder. The SU ticket corner punch was used on the corners and then I put some pewter brads in the notches. The DP is from the Close to Cocoa SU pack and the ribbon is some that I got through a ribbon share with Jody(texasjodylynn).
Last week Charmaine challenged us to make a bookmark and we would love it if you played along, just make sure to leave us a link!! This week it's Jana's turn to challenge! This card is actually on it’s way over to Jana as we speak, but as per my usual, it’s gonna be late!! One week, I swear my card will reach the person before it is time to post it, ya right!!Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Don't forget, we are having a Prettie Pajama party on Thursday evening starting at 8pmEST in the Paper Pretties forum!! We can't wait to see you there!!
Stamps-Simply Special and All Holidays(SU)
Paper-Ruby Red, Close To Cocoa CS and DSP, and Watercolor paper
Ink-black stazon
Tools- Cuttlebug, Distressed Stripes folder, SU markers, aqua painter, crystal effects, satin ribbon, pewter brads, ticket corner punch, oval nestabilities.

Look Out World, Here I Come!!

Isn't that sentiment the cutest!! This is another set being released by Paper Pretties on Thursday night, and I am just in love with it!! It is called Look Out World and features this cute little guy and sentiment. I colored him in using my SU markers and ink pads and aqua painter. I stamped the oval below him using the Paper Pretties stamp set Sassy Circles. It is fabulous for grounding images! The sketch is from the SCS sketch challenge for tomorrow. Be sure to join us on Thursday night at our Prettie Pajama Party. Charmaine will be posting a challenge every hour for three hours in the Pajama Party Forum, starting at 8pmEST(7pmCST). It is a TON of fun, and a great chance to meet the other Prettie girls, and maybe win some free goodies!! Also, Christie is running a special that night, ANYONE WHO ORDERS PAPER PRETTIES' STAMPS DURING THE RELEASE PARTIE WILL RECEIVE A 25% COUPON FOR THEIR ENTIRE NEXT ORDER!!! I sure hope you will be able to join us!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!
stamps- Look Out World and Sassy Circles
paper-Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi CS and DSP, and Watercolor paper
ink-Wild Wasabi and Black Stazon
tools-spiral clips, ribbon, SU markers, aqua painter, dew drops

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

One of Those Days

This Thursday night(May 22nd), Paper Pretties will be releasing three new stamp sets!! The Prettie Pajama Party starts at 8EST(7CST) and will be hosted by the fabulous Charmaine(charmwarm). She will be posting a challenge every hour and there will be lots of fun, chatter and prizes!! Hope you will come join us at the Paper Pretties forum to stamp and chat!! Here is a peek at the new set One of Those Days, hilarious right!! I just love this image, and honestly, I think we can all relate!! One thing I love about this one, is you don't have to be the best color-er in the world to make it looks super cute. I can totally see this as a plain white egg, like I have left it here, or paper pieced with some DP to make it kinda funky!! For this card, I used the color challenge over on SCS. The colors are Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou and Soft Sky. I colored in the duck with my SU markers as well as the grass(no I didn't hand draw the grass blades, they are from one of my Whipper Snapper sets). The sky was sponged in. I stamped the image separately and popped it up with dimensionals. I used three different DP panels on this and added some brads and ribbon. What do you think? Hope you will be able to join us Thursday night, be sure to check out the other Prettie Girl blogs to see what they are up to!! Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!
stamps-One of Those Days and Spring Has Sprung by Whipper Snapper
paper-Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery and Whisper White
ink- Black Stazon and Soft Sky
tools-ribbon, silver brads, sponge, markers

Monday, May 19, 2008

Double Pocket Purse

I decided to combine today's technique lovers challenge with the My Favorite Things sketch challenge. The TLC challenge was to make a double pocket purse following this tutorial. I started with a piece of DP from the SU Linen Prints pack. Following the tutorial I assembled my bag and used some wide Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon for the handle. The main image was made using my SU markers and the MFT set Punny Farm. I stamped the pig and girl on a separate piece of paper and colored them in with my SU markers and my aqua painter. I created my "scene" with my SU markers, aqua painter, and the grass stamp from the MFT Jungle Set. I added some primas with silver brads to the handles and the oval sentiment which was made using my oval nestabilities. I thought that it needed something, so I added a piece of cream taffeta around the middle of the card. I still think it needs something, but I do like it! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
stamps-Punny Farm and It's a Jungle Out There
paper-Linen Prints DSP, Cameo Coral, Close To Cocoa, and Old Olive
ink-Soft Sky and Black Stazon
tools-SU markers, silver brads, aqua painter, primas,chocolate grosgrain, slot punch, cream taffeta

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Thanks

Okay, so here's the deal, I am so sick of bright colors I could just spew!! But, I still need to make Thank you cards, so here they are. I decided that I would use this weeks Featured Stampers challenge to design my card. This weeks FS is Dawn McVey(dawnsing) and she has a fabulous gallery and blog. Lucky for me, she had a card that looked a lot like the one in my head. Since I wanted the thank you cards to match all the decorations, I used the same paper, ribbon, colors and images that I used on the favors. I chose this card of Dawn's to CASE and decided to make it a full card, changed the colors and images, and added some DP. Everything on this is pretty easy to figure out, but for a little depth, I decided to cut out another lion head and pop it up!! I hope my sister likes it!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
stamps-Wild About You and Posies For You by Whipper Snapper
paper-Only Orange, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White and Imagine That DP
ink- Only Orange
tools-orange Offray ribbon, scallop punch, circle punches

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Inspiration and a Winner!!

I wanted to start this out by saying congrats to my fellow GSGer Dawn McVey! She is the featured stamper on SCS today(technically tomorrow)!! Woohoo, you go girl!! On that note, I hope this card fits into the Inspiration challenge for today. I looked at it last night and then today when I got home from the baby shower, I decided to relax myself I would stamp a little. I never thought to look at the challenge again, but I think this will work. If not, it is nothing abnormal for me since I always tend to stretch the inspirational boundaries anyway!!LOL !! My card was made using the Garden Silhouettes set, which I stamped once in navy Blue and then kept stamping until the ink no longer showed up. The rest is pretty easy, and I am super tired from all the baby shower stuff today, so that is all for me!! Thanks for looking and have a great day!!
By the way, the winner of my Baby Shower Blog Candy is Deena(moonrise) with her guess of 68, which is amazingly RIGHT!! No one at the shower even got it right, but the girl that won guessed 67!! Thanks for playing and for all the well wishes, and I will let you know the progress of the baby! I would really like to do a card shower for my sister when she has him, so anyone who wants her address can send me an email or leave a comment with an email address so I can send you hers.
Thanks again!!
stamps-Garden Silhouettes and Sanded
paper- Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White
ink- Night of Navy
tools-ticket corner punch, silver brads, navy and blue organdy, silver cord