Chill Out....

So, when I first saw the new Chill Out stamp from My Favorite Things, I couldn't help but think of my Grandpa Hedge. He has been gone for years, but I still remember spending the summer at his orchard working a fruit stand by the road. The pay was little if anything, but it was fun to be away from home and people watch all day. I didn't have to do any real work, just sell the fruit, but it was still a ton of fun, until that fateful day.....My grandpa and I were arguing about something, to this day I can't even remember what it was, but I told him to chill out. That ended my summer of fun...he promptly called my mom and told her to come and get me!LOL!! Totally wasn't funny at the time, but to think that those two little words could get even your grandpa to give you the boot is funny now!! Anyway...after I finally got my new laptop hooked up to the internet(see last post for the LONG story), I checked out Emily's SCS color challenge for today....YIKES!! Today was the first time that we have got to use the new in colors and she picked Riding Hood Red, Green Galore and Going Gray.....WHOA!! So, I was going to do my normal cop out when the colors scare me...lots of white space and the least amount of the offending colors as possible. Then I started to color my new image....and I like it...hmmm. SO then I started to look for some DP, and I came across this LONG retired SUPER bright GG paper...hmmm. SO I put it all together, and you know what...I kinda like it. Now it is bright, but I still think it is pretty. I did make this card 41/4 sq. but , hey, I tried!! The image was colored with my SU markers, blender pen, and the Riding Hood Red ink pad. I added some silver brads, piercing, ribbon, spiral clips...yep you guessed it, all my normal stuff and added a panel that had been run through the Cuttlebug with the swiss dots folder. I am actually REALLY happy with this card. It is bright and cheerful...kinda reminds me of strawberries too. Okay, lots of blurfing to do to make up for yesterday!! Thanks for stopping by again and have a great day!!

What a DAY!!

First things first....VOTE FOR MY FRIEND DONNA!!! She has made it into the finals at the Just Rite Stamper blog and I am THRILLED for her!! The competition is FIERCE, so she needs YOUR VOTE!! She SLAVED for her project, and it totally deserves all the votes it can get!! Be sure to check it out...her project is #5!! Thanks!!
So yesterday I get up at 6am like normal, get Jared's stuff ready to go, get myself cleaned up, straighten up the house, and then get on the computer to check my email before he gets here. My normal routine right?? Well, everything went they way it should have, I got my blog post done, sent out a TON of emails, got all caught up, and went about the business of taking care of Jared. When he lays down for his first nap, I run in here really quick to check and see if I missed anything(I am hopelessly addicted to the internet), and my computer has LOST its MIND!!! It had over 50 windows open trying to get on the internet without me. I finally get it to shut down, and I decide that it might not be a bad idea to run a virus scan...some tracking cookies were found, I cleaned them up, and restarted and it was fine. Okay, so about 2 hours later I come in and my computer is in the process of doing an entire system restore...all by itself!!YIKES!! By the time it was all said and done, it restored itself, then proceeded to open up 852 explorer windows.......HOLY MOLY!!! So..........after crying ALOT(I am a huge crybaby), my DH finally says, GET IN THE TRUCK, hauls me to Walmart and proceeds to let me buy a new laptop...YAYYY!! I know it isn't as fancy as some of the laptops out there, but it has everything I need to get by, and god honestly, I can barely run what I have, much less if it had any more bells and whistles. My old computer is on its way to the DR. to see if he can get it to recover from its stroke. I just hope he can get it working long enough for me to get my pictures and itunes off of it!!

So, needless to say, I had a rough day!! Today after Jared left, I decided that I needed to stamp in a big way!! One would think that last night since I couldn't get on the internet, I would have stamped instead...well you would be wrong. By the time I got done dealing with the computer I put myself to bed, I had definitely had enough!! This first card is one I made for the Paper Pretties Pajama party the first of this month. The challenge was to do some embossing of any kind on a card, including using the Cuttlebug. Well, since we all know I am addicted to my Cuttlebug, I decided to use it and my favorite Swiss Dots folder. The main image is from the Paper Pretties set Sealed With A Kiss. I colored it with my SU markers after stamping it on watercolor paper with Black Stazon ink. It was then cut out with my oval Nestabilities. I added all my normal ribbons, brads, oh my....hehe. I had originally made this card with my Sister and her husband in mind, but for some reason, I colored the hair colors backwards. I think we could officially call that a blonde moment!! Okay, this post just officially got out of hand, so I am going to post my color challenge card seperately!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! Don't forget about the Paper Pretties sale....45% off...UNBELIEVABLE savings!!

Whoopsie!!

So, I was sitting here trying to think of a card to make, catching up on emails and what not, and my nephew arrived!! Guess I am totally out of time right?? So, instead, I decided that I would show you a card that I made for last weeks Paper Pretties pajama party!! I made this card for the first challenge, which was to make a card using fall colors. Since I am super clever(not), I decided to use an image OTHER than Falling For You, since you can't get it until October(unless you joined the stamp of the month club), there is really no sense in teasing you right? You see, I knew I would be posting it after the party, so I wanted something you could actually purchase...pretty nice of me...LOL!! Anyway, I used the retired Fall Flowers DP pack from SU to paper piece my watering can from the Paper Pretties set, Simply Special. The rest of the image was colored with my SU markers. I used my normal spiral clips, ribbon, piercing, and brads to embellish it with!! The main image and its layer were cut out with my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities. Gotta make this super quick, who knows how long the angel to my left will sleep... gosh I just LOVE this kid!!

Hope you are all having a FABULOUS Monday!! Thanks for stopping by and have a SUPER DUPER day!!

stamps-Simply Special

paper- Very Vanilla, watercolor, Fall Flowers DSP, Real Rust, and Old Olive.

ink- Black Stazon

tools- Cuttlebug, Nesties, SU markers, brads, spiral clips, ribbon

GOOD NEWS!!!! Christie has decided to extend the sale at Paper Pretties, so if you missed out the first time, you still have a chance to make out like a bandit and get some of those great deals!!! Check out the home page at Paper Pretties for more details!! 45% off WOOHOO!!

Featured Stamper- Card Crazy

I am so excited...this is the first time in WEEKS that I have been able to do the Featured Stamper challenge the day that it was posted. Cindy(mothermark) is filling in for Beth(MyPrecious) this week, and she posted early, so I got right to work. I chose this card of Denise's to CASE. I changed the colors, sentiment, images, and added embellishments. I just got this stamp set yesterday too, so I was itching to try it out. I used my new Felt Fusion flowers too, can you say...YUMMY!! I stamped the branch from Eastern Blooms with Pink Pirouetter and used my Chocolate Chip marker to go over the branches. I then added some pearl stickers that Silke(sparklegirl) sent me. The pink ribbon isn't the right color for this, but you get the idea!! I used some Bella Rose DSP for the panels. My sentiment is from the SU set Holidays and Wishes. I am not sure I would have used this, but I decided on it last minute and didn't want to redo the pearls!! I promise, I am done for tonight!! Thanks for stopping by, yet again, and have a great day!!

stamps- Eastern Blooms and Holidays and Wishes

paper- Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip. White, Bella Rose DSP

ink-Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip

tools-white brads, Felt Fusion flowers, taffeta ribbon, chocolate marker, pearl stickers

Rock The Vote!!

So my friend Donna needs your help!! She is a finalist in the Just Rite Stampers contest and she needs your vote!! Go check out her project and show her a little love!! It is super cute, and for her super sweet niece, so it is that much more special!! We Aunties have to stick together!!
Go HERE to vote!!
Thanks for your help!!

Inspired By....

my big box of SU goodies that arrived on my doorstep yesterday!! When I saw Beate's weekend sketch challenge, I automatically thought of my new Inspired By Nature stamp set. Unfortunately, I miscalculated and had to flip the sketch, but I think it still works, don't you?? (Just nod and smile, Kay??!!) Anyway, I used markers to color my image and then used the "huffing" technique to re-moisten what had dried. I stamped it on a piece of white card stock and layered it with Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip. I added some big silver brads that Jackie sent me, and adhered it to my base. The DP on the base is from the Summer Picnic DSP pack and it is layered with Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip. I added some of my new Chocolate ribbon and some pumpkin gingham(Offray). The sentiment is from the Sweet Serendipity set and it was punched out with my designer label punch. The hardware is from the SU stylized silver hardware. I pierced a border around the edge of the base, and down the main panel by the ribbon and it was done. I have to say, I LOVE this new set...SO PRETTY!!

Well, that is it for me now, thank you for stopping by and have an awesome day(or night)!!!

stamps-Sweet Serendipity and Inspired by Nature

paper- Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, White and Summer Picnic DSP

ink- Chocolate Chip

tools-big silver brads, chocolate ribbon, pumpkin gingham, SU markers, silver hardware

Happy Saturday!!!

Well, hopefully your Saturday has been!! Mine was a tiny bit hectic at work but since then it has gotten better. After I FINALLY got off of work, I went to Wal-mart, one of my least favorite things to do, and since then I have been home trying to get my mojo a flowing. I tried to stamp last night, but I have to say I just wasn't in the mood. I got in trouble for something I forgot to do at work, and it made me upset all night. I am not REALLY in trouble, but I did get a naughty slip and my name will end up on some list that all the post offices in the area will see. Great right? For someone who doesn't handle getting in trouble well, and is seriously afraid of ever being wrong, it hit me sorta hard. Seriously, I am so afraid to be wrong in front of people and get embarrassed that I stopped raising my hand in class at school for fear I would be wrong...and to this day I still can't figure why I care so much about what other people think. Maybe I need a shrink......anyone know a good one?? For now, until I get into therapy, I will stamp to make me feel better, that is, if I am not in a funk and can actually get my mojo a flowin'!!!



















Since I was having troubles getting started, I turned to my guru for sketch challenges, Jen del Muro. This is her Sketch For You To Try for this week, and it is fabulous!! I also decided to turn to the SCS inspiration challenge. You should really check out this website, the pictures are just adorable!! Anyway, I used the very first set I ever bought from Verve Stamps, Anniversary Birds...and yep, you guessed it...never ever used it til today...pitiful really. Anyway, I stamped my birds on white cardstock with Timber Brown Stazon. I then stamped one in Riding Hood Red and a piece of Bella Rose DSP. The bird on the right was stamped twice on Bella Rose paper and the body was cut out then just the wing on the other. I added the branches with Chocolate Chip and layered the whole panel with Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip. The edges were sponged with CC ink, pierced, and brads and spiral clips were added because people lets face it.. I LOVE brads and spiral clips. The sentiment was stamped with TB stazon and then cut out with my Nestabilities. The bottom panel and the background are some more pieces of Bella Rose DSP. Did you see my new ribbon from SU..yummy!!! I swear I could spend an entire $500 just on the new DP and ribbon, crazy right!! Don't worry, I am not going too, but trust me...it is SOOO tempting!!

Well, that is it for me for now....I am LOVING reading all the suggestions for my new byline, and I am anxious to see what you all come up with!!! If you want to participate go to this post!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
stamps-Anniversary Birds
paper- Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, and Bella Rose DSP
ink- Brown Stazon, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red
tools-Cuttlebug, NEstabilities, spiral clip, silver brads, red taffeta ribbon, chocolate stitched ribbon

MFT Thursday

So, MFT Monday has now moved to Thursday..why you ask? Well, good question!! The MFT sketch challenge USED to be on Monday's, but now it is on Thursdays!! I really try to participate every week in the MFT sketch challenge, not only because I love MFT and all the wonderful sketches that Cindy Haffner comes up with...but as with all my other stamps, I have a SHAMEFUL amount and this basically forces me to use them!! Geez..did I say MFT enough??LOL!! Anyway, when I saw the sketch, and Julia's Ways To Use It challenge, I knew I wanted to use my new favorite Monster Squad stamp set and some yummy glittery DP from K&Co. Now, I have used some of the other papers out of this FABULOUS paper pack, but I have been hoarding the glittery ones and the one with the flocked bats...YUMMO!! Anyway, I stamped my house twice, I colored one of them and cut it out and separated the roof from the house. The house part was colored with a combination of Prismas and SU markers and the roof with SU markers. I glued the house to the base and popped the roof up to give it some dimension. I then pierced the edges and sponged them with Basic Grey ink. I added some spiral clips with various ribbons and silver brads everywhere and layered it with Pumpkin Pie and Green Galore. The rest is kinda simple, but if you ever need to know anything, please feel free to ask!! Did you notice the base on my card...it is just a piece of Basic Black, no layering...are you proud???LOL!!

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

ETA: I almost forgot...I put Perfect Pearls all over this sucker to make it shiny!!

stamps- Monster Squad

paper- Basic Black, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, K&Co. DP

ink- Black Stazon and Basic Grey

tools-silver brads and clips, ribbons, Prismas, mineral spirits and stumps, SU markers, circle punches

What can I say...

I stink!! Not literally, but I TOTALLY dropped the ball on making this announcement!! Jessica Knutsen, owner/illustrator for There She Goes opened her NEW store on Monday, September 1st!! Be sure to swing by and check out her YUMMY new stamp sets, and while you are at it, read about the TSG points program...IT ROCKS! I don't know about you...but I am on the edge of my seat waiting for my stamps to get here.....woohoo!!

Just One More

So, I am kind of an airhead and forgot to make a card for my brother in law's birthday. Truth be told, I have the hardest time making cards for him. He has a wicked sense of humor, and I really wanted to come up with something funny to give him. I recently, under the influence of my pal Donna, bought these super cute stamps from Starving Artistamps. As I was sitting here feeling ucky, I thought about bacteria, germs...fungus...AHA!! I literally had an AHA moment and had to go whip this sucker up. Isn't it funny!! Now my BIL isn't a "fungi"....he is actually a real pain in the ***, but what can you do, right?!! LOL!! Anyway, I stamped all three sets of mushrooms from the Doodlefactory Fairytale sheet. They were colored with my SU markers. To connect them together, I drew in some grass blades(which is the extent of my drawing ability so enjoy). If you can't tell, I hadn't cleaned off my table since the last card I made, so the bottom DP made another appearance and I paired it with some other random DP I had in my stash, sorry, I have no clue where it comes from. I added a bunch of piercing, white brads(can you believe I have used over 30 of those suckers today-sick!!), spiral clips, and paper piercing. The two DPs are connected together with some wide Olive Grosgrain. This card MOSTLY follows the SCS sketch for today, except the two sentiment panels(which I totally love for some reason). Okay, so now that my stomach TOTALLY hurts, I am really gonna go back to bed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!(or I may get my Google reader caught up...hmmm)

Before I go...a joke...totally not a comedian here, but this is so appropriate...

"A mushroom walks into the bar and the bartender says, 'Hey, get out, we don't serve your kind here!!' and the mushroom says 'Why not, I'm a fungi??'"

BWAHHHAHAHAHAHA!!!