Thank Ewe

Many moons ago, Main Squeeze, Princess A and I hosted an Open House. At that point we had owned our new home for 10 months, so it was time. Here we are two months later and I still owe some thank you notes. All I can say is we never expected gifts, and the stamp room was in complete disarray (Hence the sporadic blog posts for such a long time) Fortunately Scrappy came to the rescue!

My one goal for this week was to complete a card for the Crafty Hos. After all, I am supposed to be a member of the DT. Now that Princess A is back in school,  and I have had some time, I was able to finally organize the stamp room with my new storage units (I ♥ The Container Store!). It is not quite done, but I can walk across the floor without injuring myself or breaking anything, and I can easily access all of my supplies! As Princess A mentioned the other day upon glancing in, "wow, this room is cleaner than it has been since we moved in!"

This weeks Crafty Ho Challenge is a Sketch Challenge:

Immediately, I thought of the farm as the main image. The rest followed from there. Princess A looked at the card for several moments and stated, "I don't get it".

I really need to find a "Thank Ewe" stamp.











Card Details:
Image: SU
Sentiment: Stamps by Judith
Cardstock: GP, SU
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Unknown eyelets, SU dimensionals

Be the Dog

The other day I was outside with Roxy, throwing a tennis ball and eating a handful of M&M's. OK, more than a handful. After each return, Roxy would look at my fist hopefully, but received no candy. I told her, "M&M's aren't good for dogs. Frankly they aren't good for people either."

This got me thinking. I wonder, if dogs were the superior being (as we humans like to consider ourselves), would they destroy their bodies with the doggie equivalent of our junk-food and bad habits?

I tend to think they would do a better job of living.



(I got the title for this post from a friend's website. Be sure to tell Carolyn I sent you!)

A Little Night Music

My, my, my it has been a loooooong time since I have posted.

This week a good portion of the Hos are in North Carolina enjoying themselves at the HPC (Ho and Pimp Convention, I believe). Sadly I could not attend this year. Again. I cannot tell you how many times I have kicked myself for not going when it was in NJ. But I was new to the stable then and feeling rather inadequate. If only I knew then what I know now...

So anyway, as I was saying, since many of the Hos are away from their computers and more importantly their crafting desks, I figured it was high time I did my part for this DT and made a card.

Audrey came up with the sketch challenge this week,

and a challenge it was.

I just was not sure what to do with that split panel thing in the background. I knew right away what image I wanted, but nothing else. Once I decided on background, however, it all came together.

I will leave it to you to decide, is this little girl staying up way past her bedtime, or is she dreaming?

Card Details:
Image: SU
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: GP, SU, unknown designer paper
Ink: Memento
Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU Punch
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Unknown brads, generic pop dots

Love my Elzys!

Today was my first foray back to stamping in a few weeks. What better way to come back than with a card for "My Favorite Stamp Evah" swap? I had trouble with this one only in that it was so hard to choose a stamp - I don't have one favorite. I sure do adore those Elzybells, though!

Given the chance, Princess A would spend all her time in the swing; alas there is school, and violin lessons, and homework, and practicing, and chores, and... well, you get the idea. But this little Elzy has no such constraints.

The sketch is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday (#47) with one of the elements removed, which seems to be my method lately.

Thanks for sticking with me through my 'radio silence'. I hope to be able to find more time to stamp (among other things) again.







Card Details:
Image: Elzybells Art Stamps
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: GP, SU, DCWV
Ink: Memento
Tools: Nesties, SU punch
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: paper piecing

Sparkly Lily Fairy

When I first discovered Stampin Up, I was all about the pastels. Now I find myself leaning towards Bold Brights more than anything, so it was fun for me to open up the Soft Subtles drawer again. For using pastel colors is the Crafty Hos challenge this week.

Lily is all decked out in her fairy wings, which are painted with Twinkling H2Os before outlining the outside edges with Cotton Candy Stickles. The designer paper is from a new-to-me stack by DCWV which I just picked up at Michael's. Doesn't it look as thought Lily is floating away on little glittery bubbles?


The rhinestone are random generics I found in my stash, one of which appears to have slipped while in the scanner. I will have to fix that on the card, but I do not have time to re-scan, so it'll have to do for this post...






Card Details:
Image: Pink Cat Studio
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: GP, SU, DCWV
Ink: Memento
Tools: Nesties
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Twinkling H2Os, Stickles, generic rhinestones

Missing Vickie

Every day at 2:30 I have a cup of tea and think about Vickie. Almost since I joined SONE, she and I have been roommates on overnight trips. We both wake up pretty early and enjoy a good cup of tea first thing. She also had the most glorious gardens at her home which she let my mother and I raid before she sold it. We moved at about the same time. Me, to the other side of the state, but she went clear across the country. Now we play Scrabble on Facebook and sometimes use the chat feature, but it is just not the same.

I was thinking of Vickie as I made today's card. Ironically, I was putting the final touches on it at about 2:30. I did not have tea though, cuz it was a crazy 86°F this afternoon and the screens are not in the windows yet (since this is not typical, nor expected to last) so I could not open most of those downstairs.

The layout comes from Tuesday Morning Sketches (#40) tweaked a bit, obviously. I am also entering it into Meljen's Design Challenge (#1) where 'anything goes'!

The bunny is colored with Prismacolor markers to resemble Princess A's own special bunny Mel. The two of them started a blog today called "Bunny Thoughts".

Many people are making Springtime cards that are in full bloom and full of light or bright colors. Around here that is not quite how things look. The trees are still bare, though there are some buds, but mostly they look like sticks. I tried to represent that with the embossing folder and the green tips to the trees. With the crazy temperature out there today, this bunny is probably wishing there was a whole lot more shade. I know I was!

I hope Seattle was more comfortable for its newest resident...






Card Details:
Image: MFT
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: GP, SU
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: SU punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: unknown ribbon

Happy Birthday Sarah, Kirsten and Makayla

The summer is a busy time for birthdays in my friend Linda's house. Keeping that in mind, she chose a festive theme for the Sisterhood for the month of April;. A birthday card to fit any of her daughters upcoming age groups, 16, 11 and 7.

I know Kirsten (almost-11) is not a fan of pink, so with her in mind I chose turquoise and purple. Of course it helped that I had this patterened paper on hand.

The sheep (Pink Cat Studio) is covered with Liquid Applique except for her arms legs and face which are touched a bit with Prismacolor markers. The cupcake and 'hands' are raised on a dimensional, making it look as though her arms are really attached to her body.

To Sarah, Kirsten and Makayla - I hope each of you ladies has a very happy birthday!






Card Details:
Image: Pink Cat Studio
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: GP, SU
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: SU punches, heat gun
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Liquid Applique, generic dimensionals

Recycling the Crafty Ho Way

Perhaps you did not know this, but the Hos are an environmentally conscious group. Every once in a while one of them will put a bunch of supplies she no longer needs into a box and mail it to another. That person takes what she wants and adds in her own stuff. And so it goes til eventually the last person on the list sends the box back to the first person. I have participated in this swap a couple of times and have gotten some really great things, as well as cleaned out some extra supplies.

This year Earth Day falls on April 22nd. The Crafty Hos are honoring this day a little early with this weeks challenge, Recycling.

The first recycled element of this card is the background. Princess A, for some unknown reason, does not throw her garbage from lunch away in the school cafeteria. She brings it back home again in her lunchbox. Not too long ago she brought home the piece of waxed paper that had been used to wrap her sandwich. It did not look soiled at all, so into my stamping supplies it went. It was just the thing I needed for wax paper resist.

The next recycled element is the paper bag. Most of the time I bring my own bag to the store, but sometimes I forget and end up with a new paper bag. As soon as the groceries are unpacked it goes on the floor for the kittens to play. It will usually stay there for about a week, then moves out to the breezeway to become the receptacle for paper recycling. This week it got a chunk cut out of it.

The final recycled item is a newspaper. Joy offered a fabulous paper flower tutorial on her blog and made it look SO easy! Thankfully it was.

Oh! I almost forgot! The layout (rather loosely) follows Tuesday Morning Sketches (#39).






Card Details:
Image: SU
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU
Ink: SU
Tools: Iron, Brayer, Nesties
Coloring: N/A
Embellies: generic rhinestone brad

Free to Be...

It is Teapot Tuesday Time again! (I have missed playing along and drat, but there have been some great parties in my absence...)

This week Mothermark has been inspired to write poetry:
Meet Brutus, the Bunny
Who's just a smidge funny!

He's totally of his rocker,
I know! It's a shocker!

His mom, bless her heart,
It's been hard from the start!

And throughout the years,
She's been driven to tears!

There! Look at that! He peed on that log!
What is his problem? He's a wannabee dog!

Be quiet! You'll hear it! The most incredible moan,
It's the pleasure he gets from his big juicy bone!

He's been known to just hollar!
It's pink! Not a dog collar!

He's a disgrace to all rabbits,
with the most annoying of habits!

He hates those orange carrots
Gives them all to the ferrets!

And when there's work to be done,
To bring children some fun....

He just sits on his keester,
Ignores all that is Easter!

Can you see? Don't you see? Why Thumper and Peter,
Are completely convinced, he's a big Easter Cheater!

Awww...Come on There Brutus!
Help us out or just shoot us!

Look at me! Look at me! I'm not a big fake!!
Look at me! Did you see? Now I can shake!!

(That's a puppy dawg shake ifn' ever I saw one!)

And here is the challenge:
"So, here's the story, Mory! Mory is Brutus' best friend. He's a ferret and the recipient of many a carrot! (At least 42,000!) He's a little reserved, a little shy, not a *in your face* kinda guy! He's not quite sure how to handle this whole identity crisis for his friend, Brutus. Part of him wants his little buddy to be a dog but part of him loves his cute widdo bunny friend! One thing is for certain, he is tired of stressing about this dilema. That's where we come in!
With only about a week before Easter, we need to either convince Brutus to be a bunny and step up to the plate and help out at Easter. Or we need to convince him to leave that life behind permanently and buy a new dog house! So, depending on your most valued opinion of this whole deal, bring a bunny, an Easter basket, pink ribbon or a carrot or two. On the other hand, bring a fire hydrant, a collar, a dog house or a dog bone or two! And if you are the wishy washy type (like me!) then bring a doggie in a bunny costume! Snort! You know the drill!"


I don't know about you, but this whole story reminds me of My Dog is a Plumber from Free to Be... You and Me (Am I dating myself? Oh, who cares? I don't have any problem admitting I was a child of the 70s):

My dog is a plumber. He must be a boy,
Although I must tell you his favorite toy
Is a little play stove with pans and with pots,
Which he really must like, 'cause he plays with it lots,
So perhaps he's a girl -- which kind of makes sense,
Since he can't throw a ball and he can't climb a fence,
But neither can dad -- and I know he's a man,
And mom is a woman and she drives a van.
Maybe the problem is in trying to tell
Just what someone is by what she does well?

Do you see the connection? I am all for letting a person (or a bunny as the case may be) be himself. For you, Brutus, here is my card...

The layout came from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. (#43);  I doubt it is going to win any prizes over there though. While looking for cardstock to match my ribbon, I came upon a piece that had been folded so the opening was in the center. It occurred to me that this sketch lended itself perfectly to that!

The bottom panel is embossed with flowers in circles, cuz it was the closest thing I could find to Easter eggs, so just pretend they are oblong, ok?

The top panel is a tribute to Brutus' true self. I hope his friends and family stop giving him such a hard time. How many Easter Bunnies do we need anyway? There is only ONE Santa after all...






Card Details:
Image: Peachy Keen Stamps, Inkadinkado, PSX, Stampendous
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Nesties
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Generic ribbon, SU dimensionals, Stickles

(Almost) April Showers

Wet day here today. There is so much rain that I have forgotten just how long it has been falling. In fact some schools are closing due to flooding. I have never experienced such a thing. Since I cannot play outside, I may as well stamp!

Princess A is wondering when it is going to stop raining, though as I explained to her this morning, all this glorious rain is going to make our flowers very happy. Well, it would if the previous owners had actually planted any, but that is a different story. This little bear has about the same expression on his face as she did. You can see in the background the torrential rain that is falling for all of the lighter blue panels are embossed with raindrops. The local waters have risen so high, there are fish swimming by his feet.

Many thanks to Sweet Sketch Wednesday (#42) for the layout. And since Bugaboo Stamps was their sponsor this week, I had to use one of their images.

Here is a photo of the pond in my back yard (yes, it is supposed to be there) that is much deeper than usual. Look at the surface. Of course it started rainy more heavily as I stepped close to take the picture.

And here is the stream that runs along the side of my house (there is another one in the back). Usually it just sort of meanders its way along. Today, however, some little critter could go white water rafting and have the ride of her life!






Card Details:
Image: Bugaboo Stamps
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: HP Printer
Tools: Nesties, Fiskars Texture Plate
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Oriental Trading Company ribbon, generic dimensionals

Critters Love Jellybeans

This week's challenge with the Crafty Hos is inspired by this prayer:

Jelly Bean Prayer
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Blue is for the sins we made,
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for His hour of sorrow,
Pink is for our new tomorrow!
A bag full of jelly beans,
So colorful and sweet.
Is a prayer, is a promise. . .
Is a special treat!

Is it any surprise that my card is all about jellybeans?  The sketch came from The Pink Elephant (#59) and the color scheme from Catch the Bug Challenge Blog. My card is a three-fer!

Every year on Easter, Main Squeeze and I set up an egg hunt for Princess A using plastic eggs filled with stickers, safe candy and pocket change. One year we thought we would be smart and set it up the night before. Most of the eggs were fine (I had to say that  up front so you would not worry that Princess A was disappointed), but there were a few that the critters had opened, and one or two that had bites taken out. I am talking about the plastic eggs; the inside candy was nowhere to be seen. I still wonder what they bought with the cash...

Perhaps this little fellow was there that day. Even if he missed it, he certainly looks happy with his latest stash of candy. I stamped the cascading jellybeans in the three colors on the yellow card stock, then again on white and cut some out. The extras are on generic dimensionals so they stand out . Then painted with Twinkling H2Os, just to give them another reason to feel special. The jellybeans in the mouse's hands (and the one between his feet) are coated with Crystal Effects; they look and feel more like jellybeans than paper.

This year will be the first Easter in our new house, with 4.3 acres of land to hide eggs. Princess A is going to need all the help the little critters are willing to offer.






Card Details:
Image: House Mouse Designs, SU
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP, unknown designer paper
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: N/A
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Twinkling H2Os, Crystal Effects, generic dimensionals, unknown ribbon

Missed the Game

Have you ever checked your calendar only to discover that the event you were planning to attend had already happened? Well, that happened to me this week. Not so much checked my calendar, but the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog to find out that although challenges are posted once per month, they are only open for a week. I am clear on that now. In fact I already have my card ready for the new challenge, but you will have to wait til tomorrow to see that...

Main Squeeze has told me of times in his childhood when his parents forgot to pick him up after practice. It was a long walk home. Even so I think this little guy would have preferred that to what he did. He showed up late and missed the game entirely! See? There are flowers growing on the soccer field already.

Even though the game is over, I enjoyed making this card. Besides I needed more practice using digi stamps...

Now if only there was a little boy in my life. I have one daughter. My brother has two daughters. Main Squeeze's brother has two daughters. My two closest stamping friends have five daughters between them. Perhaps Princess A has a little boy in her class she would like to send this to. (I am just kidding, I know you don't believe in the existence of boys)... (yet)






Card Details:
Image: Bugaboo Stamps
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: HP Printer
Tools: Fiskars Border punch
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: unknown flowers

Everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day

Everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day... or March 25th as the case may be...

This month's hostess at the Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards, Susan, chose to honor St Patricks Day, in a fashion. Cards are to showcase other little green creatures, ie frogs, crocodiles, dragons, etc.

While perusing Michael's one day, I came upon this set. Of course I was not there to buy stamps, but I had to look in that aisle anyway. You understand. Anyway... I picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down, picked it up...  Finally I decided, "oh why not?" and brought it up to the register. (Main Squeeze was a big help in this department. He always tells me if I want/need it I should buy it. Very dangerous proposition) What luck - it was 40% off! Whoo hoo!! When Susan's theme was posted, I just knew I had to use one of my new monster friends.

A cute little guy like this needs the right background. Have I ever mentioned how much I adore SU's designer series paper packs? They are so much fun and the way a pack coordinates - it reminds me of Garanimals. Although I was too big when they first came on the market, I could certainly appreciate the concept. A 'must have' for me when it comes to choosing paper.

Lastly I needed something to dress him up. Those spots you see; they are metal dots by Colorbök. I cannot find a direct link to them, but I can tell you they are self adhesive and dimensional (as in they are not flush with the paper) Pretty cool, eh?






Card Details:
Image: Recollections
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: Memento
Tools: nesties
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Colorbök metal dots

Double Dare

My first attempt at double embossing. For that matter, my first attempt at embossing with nesties. Not so simple as others make it seem, I can tell you...

Vivian is hosting a swap with your choice of double embossing or blank embossing. I decided to try my hand at double and if that did not work, easy enough to fall back on the blank. (OK, so it was a swap not really a dare, but doesn't the alliteration sound better?)

This stamp set always makes me smile. For some reason, I missed it in the SU catalog, but discovered it at a tag sale and had to have it. Sometimes I just like to look at it. Always good for a grin. I think of Miss Congeniality and Gracie Lou Freebush. That movie cracks me up! Oh, and of course Benjamin Bratt... drool! He is on my list...

It took quite a while (and a few sheets of cardstock) for me to get the right "sandwich" to emboss leaving the middle clear. Then another while to outline a frame in the center instead of cutting it out. Thank goodness that was the hardest part - I don't think I could have taken much more frustration. Using a real ribbon for her sash was a strike of genius, I thought; Pity the scanner crushed it, cuz it truly follows the image on the card when left to its own devices. Finally, there are Stickles on her shoes, her crown and on her single tear. (Aww!) 






Card Details:
Image: SU
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: SU
Ink: Memento
Tools: Prismacolor markers, Marvy punch, SU punch, embossing folder,nesties
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Stickles, ribbon, generic bling

A Cappella Sheep

I have been wanting to make a card with these sheep ever since Marilyn made a comment in rehearsal about "Lazy Day" making her feel like a sheep. (All you barbershoppers out there who sing the harmony parts know what she was talking about!) Channeling harmonious sheep or not, it is still one of my favorite songs to sing.

Today's card is for the Crafty Hos. One of our members, Scrappy, drew the sketch for this week's challenge. You can see that I did not follow it exactly, which though unusual for me, is exactly the beauty of a sketch. Words as the largest focal point is another abnormal feature (for me at least). Since my inspiration is a fellow chorus member, however, I thought the sentiment was particularly apropos.

Crystal Stickles cover the butterfly which was first colored with Prismacolor markers and the "sky" in which it flies was sponged. The sheep are plush with an addition of Liquid Applique.





Card Details:
Image: All Night Media
Sentiment: Inkadinkado
Cardstock: SU, unknown designer (glitter) paper, GP
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: SU punches, Fiskars Border punch, sponge, heat gun
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Stickles, Liquid Applique

Bleeping Digital

Digital is the wave of the future. Digital books, digital music and what some people call digital stamps, though I usually just use the word 'images' Michele has a swap right now for cards made using digis. Within it she has a category for Fancy Folds/Techniques/Shapes card. Thinking I should try something new, I signed up for this one.

Now I am fairly computer savvy, but digis just stump me. They never come out the size that I want. And oh, for this card, I used two, cuz the fish is a digi, a whale actually, that I altered a wee bit (I can do that no problem). I know how to change the size, but cannot seem to figure out how that translates on the paper. At least I am no longer resizing by percentages anymore - OY! That was a bear of a math problem. As for the whale, altering the image was easy; took some time to alter the frame around the image (cuz after all that is the size you are changing, not the picture itself.) Printing it how I wanted - ERG, that took many, many trips through the printer to perfect.Only one sheet of paper, though, cuz I am cheap (green?) like that. Finally I got the whale shape printed and cut out. The turtle was a little easier as I was using him as is and his frame is already tight, so though he took quite some time to get sized correctly, he only one test print. (I used the test page from Belassiz; did I mention I am cheap? In fact, once a page is too full to continue to print, it becomes my desk protector when I do real stamping. I say that cuz after I made this card I thought I will never do digis again! I will, though, and I will get better at it. Certainly could not be any worse...

An inked embossing folder was used for the underwater section of the "fish", and there are Stickles on both the fly (on the fishing line) and the edge of the whale tale. Originally I planned on a Happy Fathers Day sentiment, but did not like any of the placements, so I ditched it. Even without, I think GB will likely be finding this in his mailbox in June.





Card Details:
Image: Dustin Pike - with some parts of the image removed (card shape) , Bugaboo
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: Embossing Folder, Brayer
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Stickles, ribbon

Fairy Tale Froggy

What else would you expect to find in an Enchanted Forest than a Prince who has been turned into a frog? Being of short stature, (vertically challenged), this froggy fellow is leaping into the air to get your attention. He does not want you to waste your time kissing those regular old run-of-the-mill frogs by mistake. Not only will they not become your Prince, but you might get frustrated from a lack of expected result and stop kissing frogs altogether! No, no, we mustn't have that...

In order to help your wish along, I have included your very own parachute ball. Better be quick, for some are already blowing in the wind! (If you look closely above the sentiment you will see the complete dandelion seed with stem. Or perhaps you just have to trust me that it is there. It is visible in person. At least you can see the ones that are blowing in the "blush blossom" area of the card. You can see them, can't you?)







Card Details:
Image: Inkadinkado, Great Impressions
Sentiment: Elzybells
Cardstock: SU, GP
Ink: Memento, SU
Tools: Nestabilities
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Googly eyes

Pink and Black Challenge

Welcome to my first project for the Crafty Hos Challenge Blog! As I joined late, I only had a couple of days to complete this challenge - I did not want to miss my first one!!

I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but did not own a brayer, so off to the LSS I went. Despite chanting, "Brayer, brayer, don't for get the brayer" in my head the entire ride, I came home with a cute raccoon stamp I have been coveting for months and an embossing folder I had special ordered in December, but NO BRAYER. Yup, totally forgot.

Got up early on Saturday morning and arrived at A.C. Moore shortly after opening, 50% coupon in hand. I am now the proud owner of a Speedball Soft Rubber Brayer (isn't she gorgeous?).

On to the challenge: Pink and Black. That's it. Simple, right? My, how I struggled. Took me a while to come up with an idea, then two trips to actually remember to purchase the brayer, and finally to put it all together. You would laugh if you knew how many times I needed to start over because I forgot to mask out the circle for the moon.

The expanse of snow needed a little something, too. I experimented with prima flowers and brads, but finally decided, between the sunset background and the house in shadow, "With Sympathy" was the most fitting.





Card Details:
Image: PSX
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: SU, GP
Tools: Brayer, Scallop blade (in rotary cutter) 
Coloring: SU pads (brayer and sponge), Prismacolor marker
Embellies: N/A

Two Embossing Folder Challenge

Don't you hate when you finish a card (or even worse a set of 8) and you see a bunch of things that you could have done differently, but just don't have the time? That is how I feel about this card. Well, to be truthful, there is really only one thing I can think I should have done differently (other than the whole card itself) and that would be the ink color of the sentiment. Should have matched the green I think. Or at least tested that to see which was better.

I could not think of any embellies to add, so there are none. At least I fulfilled the swap requirements of using at least two embossing folders.

I admit it, I do not love this card and I feel guilty to sending it to Paola, as I do really like her. Of course, one of the great things about Sweet P is her forgiving nature. Looks like I will be putting it to the test with this one!




Card Details:
Image: N/A
Sentiment: SU
Cardstock: SU, GP
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (x2) 
Coloring: N/A
Embellies: N/A

Looking to Spring

February's Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards theme was a stumper. Seems pretty easy at first read, a flower theme and use buttons. But, I am not usually a 'pretty' stamper - I tend to lean more towards cute or funny. Sadly the only way I can think to use buttons with flowers is right at the center. Not terribly original and not terribly creative, so I put it off. And put it off. Then suddenly I remembered that February only has 28 days; I could not put it off any longer.

Finally, inspiration. I had received some flower buttons as part of a Secret Sister gift (thanks Lorie, you saved me!). Next to find something to hold the flower. My new Build-a-Roo started hopping and round chanting, "Pick me! Pick me!"

I tell you, it is hard to resist a begging kangaroo.



Card Details:
Image: SU Build-a-Roo and Kindness (wheel)
Cardstock: SU, GP
Tools: Nestabilities, Stampin Around (large), generic dimensional
Coloring: Prismacolor Markers
Embellies: (unknown) flower button, Stickles

Crafty Hos Challenges

I finally got around to sending my head shot to Audrey so that I could be linked up with the Crafty Hos. What took so long? Well, I am really not a fan of having my picture taken. I used to like it. In fact I used to dive into all sorts of photo ops, with or without an invitation. But then along came prednisone (vile stuff!) and pigment changes on my face in inconvenient areas. And well, I am just not a fan anymore...

But if I want to be on a DT, a head shot is a necessary evil. That said, you can find me on The Crafty Hos Challenge Blog sidebar. Somehow being last put me at the top of the page.

New challenges are posted every Sunday and you have until the following Saturday at 11PM EST to upload your creation. Now if I could only figure out where to find the challenges BEFORE they are posted with the DT samples I will be all set.

Please join us if you can!

True Love for Bodacious?

Renovations to Bodacious' villa are going to take quite some time, so I am bringing Belassiz something to read. She is, of course, an intellectual, so those glossy magazines with their gossip just won't do. A classic novel is what she needs...

Perhaps it is an ulterior motive on my part. After all, we want her to choose from her heart and not what those decorator mags tell her she "should" like. Though honestly I question Bodacious' choice of love. Anyone who would agree to such a wager may not be the catch he thinks she is. I am willing, however, to put my doubt aside and do what I can to help Bodacious. I am sure that if he IS her true love then he will know her and what will most likely move her, so she has nothing to fear. (But again, her doubts make me question her suitability for a mate for Bodacious - oh wait, that's right, I am supposed to be putting these thoughts aside... Please excuse me)
 
Bernarde just might be making a lucky escape... Whoops! Did I say that out loud?

If you are visiting me for the first time, Welcome! If you have been here before (also welcome!) then you are probably getting used to these crazy posts. No? Well, you will be soon, cuz I am hooked on Teapot Tuesdays!



Card Details:
Image: Elizabeth O. Dulemba 
Cardstock: SU, GP
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Nestabilities 
Coloring: Prismacolor Markers
Embellies: (unknown) mini rhinestones, SU Stampin' Dimensionals

Curt's Other Options

Chrystal would like to encourage Curt to be a snowboarding superstar. It is nowhere near as dangerous as a stunt cow, you know, so long as you don't fall down.

Here she is in her glory, freestyling down the mountain. The cool wind in her feathers, snow swirling behind her. And look at the crowd; they are just eating this up. You cannot even see their faces for all of the camera flashes. Ahh, this is the life, the excitement, the attention, the adoration of the fans, the MONEY!

If however, Curt cannot make it as a snowboarding king, Chrystal would like him to know she is willing to take him on as her pool boy, so long as the thong fits.

You guessed it; it is Teapot Tuesday again. (Yes, I am aware that today is Wednesday). Check out Mothermark's blog for the complete background story. Even if you do not want to participate, you have to go see her teapots - She has the most incredible collection!

As for the card deets... Image is Penny Black (like you did not see that coming), and is colored with Prismacolor markers. Her hat is embellished with Liquid Applique, and the snow, both underneath the board and that which is flying is painted with Twinkling H2Os. The letters are punched from one stamp that has the complete alphabet (SU), which were then sponged with some Green Galore (also SU) to soften the harsh white. The sparkly paper is from DCWV (Glitter Mat Stack) and the trees were a gift from a friend; I don't know by whom, sorry.All this comes together thanks to SCS Sketch Challenge #237.

Next week another teapot and another story. Right now the water is boiling - gotta run...

Just Because

Have you heard about Bugaboo Stamps and their new Challenge Blog? The fourth Saturday of every month they will be offering a new challenge and a new chance to win free digis! As if that is not enough, every Friday they have Freebie Friday. A wonderful way to introduce their stamps and give you chance to try them out, perhaps in their challenge. After all, if you use one of their digis you are entered into the contest TWICE! Now before you go rushing over there, check out my card for Bugaboo's very FIRST challenge, "Valentines With a Twist". Create a card, tag, layout or item that could be used for Valentine's Day. The twist? You may not use traditional Valentines colors. In other words no red or pink.

You may assume, based on her name, that Princess A's favorite color is pink, but you would be wrong. In fact, when we bought the house and gave her the option to paint her room any color she wished, she chose orange with red trim! Needless to say, it was not difficult at all to make a card with her in mind and not use pink.

This is Lulu and her doll. She was a freebie some weeks ago. (Thank you Bugaboo!) I think she is just right for Princess A because of their many similarities. Princess A would more likely gravitate towards a turquoise item in her wardrobe and her doll would be coordinated if possible. Of course she does not always carry a doll. Usually it is some sort of critter in her arms, Mel the bunny, Wexler the frog, Jewel the monkey, and of course most recently, Osiris her kitten.

SCS Sketch Challenge #265 gave me the layout and the rest grew from there. The background is stamped with a jumbo Stampin' Around, "Kindness", from SU and all card stock is SU as well. The ribbon was something I found in my stash and the sentiment was made from snap-together alphabet stamps. Lulu and her doll are colored with Prismas.

I appreciate your hanging out with me til the end. Now feel free to click on over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog for your chance to enter!

Gladys' Escape

Meet Gladys. Her friends have been nagging her to do something with her style for goodness knows how long, but Gladys is happy with the way she looks, thank you very much. Then Rapunzle had to go and open "Classy Castle Cuts" right around the corner. Next thing Gladys knew, her friends were planning a spa day. Of course she knows this is all a guise to get her in for a makeover. Well, good luck catching her. Before the sun was even completely risen, Gladys hot-footed it (or should I say hot-hoofed?) up the highest peak of Mt Monagnus. With her googly eyes, she can see in all directions and keep anyone from coming close; those horns are not all for show, you know. Gladys is safe. There will be no dye jobs or perms in her future!

Confused? Don't worry, I have not completely cracked, just joined in with the Teapotters over on SCS for their Teapot Tuesday Challenge. I have been stalking them for a couple of weeks now. Those ladies are so talented, and so darn creative, and funny!  Each week Mothermark posts a new story based on a teapot from her collection. The challenge is to make a card inspired by the teapot/story. The teapotters are really hilarious and the stories they add are a riot! The cards range from downright silly to oh so pretty. Most important of all, they issue an open invitation to anyone to join in the tea party, so I am excited to get to know this group of ladies.

As for the card itself, The mountain is made from a single stamp stamped many times on homemade polished stone, made by yours truly. Then each individual mountain was cut out and layered on the others. Gives some neat dimension that will not come through in a scan or photo (pity, really, cuz I am quite proud of the effect). Gladys was masked and clouds were sponged all around. (In fact, I don't know if you can see this either, but below the panels with the picture, there is another full white panel also sponged with clouds.) Googly eyes completes her look.

Both stamps are Copper Leaf Creations, polished stone was made on SU glossy white with SU reinkers and alcohol. Actually, all cardstock is SU. Googly eyes came from ACMoore, don't know the brand, sorry.

Thanks for the invitation to tea, I hope I can join you again next week. Of course, since the Teapot weeks starts on Tuesday, I have to say, "see you tomorrow, Teapotters!"

Fruitcakes and Snowflakes

The theme for this month's Sisterhood swap reads as follows:
"January brings a new year, a new beginning and the idea that anything is possible. It is also a cause to celebrate self and the wonderful person YOU are. So… this month’s swap is to create a card celebrating the month that the world was graced with your sweet selves. Each month has a flower, a jewel, a color, a zodiac symbol that is unique to it. Use any icon from your birth month to create a card that is pure you. Two layers of cardstock and one embellishment is all that is required but feel free to add more if you wish. This card/month is all about YOU ~ the sky is the limit!"

I Googled December and found out my birthstone is turquoise, my zodiac sign is a goat and my flower is narcissus (Daffodil for December? Seems to me it would make more sense for March.). OK, here is what we got to make a card, a turquoise goat eating a daffodil. Uh... no.

Moving right along; how about obscure holidays? Lets see what falls on December 27. Hmm, "National Fruitcake Day" and "Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day"... And a card was born. Do you recognize the sketch? It is sketch challenge #264 on SCS. (Incidentally, when I told Main Squeeze that my birthday was National Fruitcake Day he laughed and said, "how appropriate!")

I love this stamp (Love You to Bits, no longer in business). I admired it at my sister's and she went out and bought me one of my own! All these years I thought it was a boy cook with really big ears, but when I was coloring this time I thought the ears looked rather lumpy and realized it was more likely hair sticking out from the chefs hat.
Today she is a girl chef with brown hair just like me! She also has a white cat similar to my Iisis and a canary, though I have an African Grey. As for the baking, who eats fruitcake anyway? Certainly not I, so instead she has made loaves of bread (perhaps with chocolate chips hidden inside - that is more my style. The loaves are popped out from the card with generic pop-dots

In the background are embossed snowflakes (Cuttlebug embossing folder) for 'Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day'. The bird cage is painted with Twinkling H2Os (Thank you Linda!). And of course, I mustn't forget the birthstone, especially as it is one of my favorite colors of cardstock lately, so all of this is mounted on a Turquoise card.

Kitten Kisses

I have a stamp that reads, "I kiss my dog on the lips", but I do not have the feline equivalent (I think my sister might; I am not sure). Last night I was doing something on the computer I did not want Princess A to see, so when she peeked over my shoulder I quickly closed the window. Open underneath was a Word doc for the making of my own "I kiss my cat on the lips" sentiment. It was printed about six times on the page. Princess A looked at me quizzically and asked why was I writing about kissing the cat over and over...

This card was born after perusing KJs blog where she had participated in a Mojo Monday sketch. Needing a serious dose of mojo, I headed over to the Challenge (Mojo Monday week 121) and was immediately inspired.

I am not sure this big cat appreciates all the affection. Or perhaps he is just overwhelmed. He is from Stamps by Judith. The sentiment, as already mentioned, is computer-generated, but inspired by a stamp from Paula Best. It is also raised up with foam dimensionals. At least three different SCS friends sent me the same package of bling. I cannot say for sure whose was used today. All other supplies were from SU.

For your viewing pleasure, here is Princess A and our two kittens, Iisis (looking straight at the camera with all dignity intact) and Osiris (the one who really does get kissed, rather frequently, on the lips)

Snow 'Person' Challenge - SA02

My first challenge of the New Year! I am fairly new to participating in challenges, I just never seem to get to them before the deadline. And then the New Years Resolution comes into play and here I am...

My friend Lorie is hosting a challenge over on the Stamping Around blog on behalf of Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps. "Use a snow(wo)man on your creation." I sent her a quick message to ask if my snow person had to, in fact, be human. She said as long as it is snow, anything goes. So here is my take on the challenge.

In honor of the two critters that we adopted in November, a snow kitty! Although I am happy with most elements of this card, I still think it needs a little something. I have until the 12th to fulfill this challenge, so if you have any ideas to spice up this little guy, feel free to leave a comment below! In fact feel free to leave a comment even if you do not have any ideas



I have not quite gotten the knack of these side photos, but wanted you to see the dimension between the Cuttlebug embossed layer and the cat, plus the liquid applique snow...


Thanks for looking and thanks, Lorie for hooking me up with this challenge

A "Moving" Winter Scene

I was inspired to make this card by someone whom I have never met, JustPaintingAround. I am enthralled by the way that no matter how many layers in her card, the scenery remains the same. I wanted to see what I could do with this idea. My intention for this card was for Paola's Move It swap, but once it was done I realized it fit so well with the SOTC theme of December (create a winter scene), that off it went to Fay instead. Of course, then it was back to the drawing board for Paola's swap, but that will be the next(ish) post...

First I made the shaker box. Riley was stamped and masked. Using some templates bought eons ago (made by All Night Media) I sponged the trees, then the clouds. Riley was colored and Liquid Applique added to the ball of his hat and underneath his skis. Next I took a pinch or two of white Fun Flock and a teaspoon of glitter and stacked them on Riley's nose. Clear acetate, double sided foam tape and a frame cut with Nesties finished the box. Many, many shakes later, the flock and glitter were well mixed; some of the glitter had migrated to the liquid applique, adding a wee sparkle.

Back to sponging, this time to the strips in the background and the card itself. I lost count of how many times I had to wash my hands throughout this entire process. The green border was made by switching out the blade in my rotary cutter (yes, Mom, I have a rotary cutter and have managed not to lose any blood... yet) to a scallop edge and voila! Assembly took mere minutes with my ATG gun.

It is nowhere near the artwork of JustPaintingAround, for she is truly the "Queen of the Scene", but I am quite pleased with the result. Not bad for a first try...

Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

Yesterday I woke up to snow. About four inches. When I went out to shovel, I measured 5.25" and when all was said and done, six inches had fallen. Today I awoke to snow again! Not falling quite so heavily as yesterday. Sometimes the wind gusts and the snow cannot seem to tell which direction it should be falling. Gravity ceases to be the law. What a perfect day to talk about a Winter Wonderland. Jeanette's Forest Winter Wonderland swap, that is.

I stamped the tall pine from SUs Lovely as a Tree (that is one of my favorite SU sets) and then cut out the frame with my Nesties. I am not sure what I am going to do with those scraps, yet. If nothing strikes me they will be donated to the special ed preschool where I send most of my scraps, used card fronts and mistakes. (Plus lots of embossed papers, cut out shapes, ribbons and stickers). A friend is a teacher there and she says the kids love it. They have no idea they are doing me a great service.

The stamp is from Stampscapes and is colored with chalks. The colors are not showing up in the scan, but the rocks were given a slight pink hue and the sky a wee bit of grey. Trees are green, grass is yellowed and the water you can see is shades of blue. Much of the coloring was very subtle, just enough to change it from the cream colored cardstock that was used. I hope the recipients could tell... That is about my limit with Stampscapes, though I have seen some really gorgeous things done with them (Hey Linda - I think I found the class I should take!! Wanna join me?). A glitter pen added a little bit of shine to, hopefully, look like snow in the distance. The ribbon was one of the three picked up when making the previous card

This swap is long over, of course, as I am so far behind in posting. In fact, I have already received my cards back; and what FABULOUS cards they were!! Don't be sad, though, cuz now she is hosting the Enchanted Forest swap and it is sure to be just as amazing. You should join us. (Tell her Gael sent ya!)