I didn't forget how to COLOR!!

It has been close to a year since I last picked up a Copic Marker and I am so excited to see that I have not forgotten how

I created this fun card for my nephew who was turning 24.  Wonder if he ever received it?  I haven't heard. Not sure if I am more concerned about my creation sitting in some corner of the postal system or the check that was inside!!

Closer look at my shading and stitches.  

I just adore sewing on cards, don't you?? 

After I cut out my colored image I gave it dimension with foam squares.  The Birthday sign was actually stamped a second time then I cut out just the part with the message and popped it up with additional foam squares.  

The stamp is made by Whimsy and that dog's front feet are cracking me up!

Thank You

I know I've said this numerous times but seriously taking something "ordinary" and wrapping it up pretty makes a simple gift seem so much more SPECIAL,

 right?

Attention to details:

Glitter cardstock that I cut down, punched a round hole and scored so that it would slide over and hang from the neck of the wine bottle.  I stamped the little chef, added some shadowing with a Copic Marker and gave him striped pants by drawing crisscross lines.  The food on his tray was colored with Copic Markers, cut out and I used foam squares to make them 3-dimensional.

Oh and that RIBBON

I hope she kept it, we all know

I WOULD

Can Justine get her Groove back

A YEAR?

Seriously???

Has it really almost been a year since my
last POST????

I think that if I keep this short (super short) and sweet I might actually POST IT

So without explanation, let's experiment and see if I can get my GROOVE BACK

TO BE CONTINUED......................

This is sort of Masculine, Right?

As this post goes live I will be on my way to Antigua for a little Rest and Relaxation. Prior to leaving I was on a crazy creative MOJO Streak so I hope that you will continue to visit. This will be the perfect time to catch up on posting items that I've not had the time to share.

Today's card features another new line of stamps being sold at ABC Toys & Crafts. new Rachell Anne Miller Stamp Set ( CAKES are YUMMY ). The coloring and paper piecing possibilities are endless. Ordinarily I wouldn't look at this stamp set and think masculine, however, I am thinking that the color combo and the lack of buttons, bows or ribbon, this could definately pass for MASCULINE!!! (so I used a one of the frilly Circle Die and the cake plate is pink, I suppose this is as masculine as I could muster)

What do you think??

Click on the ABC Design Blog Blinkie over in the right side bar to see what the rest of the Design Team has created using the Rachelle Anne Miller stamps.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crafty Creations: Red, Brown, Green
Meljens: Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed: Sweet Treats

.....................Supplies I used.......................
(highlighted items are available and linked to ABC Toys & Crafts)
Stamps: Rachelle Anne Miller (cakes are yummy)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (chocolate chip, certainly celery, ), Bazzill Basics (red/pink)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (wildhearts), The paper Studio
Tools: Spellbinders (lacey circles), Cuttlebug, Singer Sewing Machine
Misc: Stickles (crystal), Making Memories Charms (celebrate)

I C U - Get Well

I * C * U
haahaa
Get It?

The acronym ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit but I have also used it as a Play on Words for EYE SEE YOU since my funny little monster was affixed with a googley eye !!!
My father in law just underwent open heart surgery and will be spending a few days in the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) so so I created this clever card in hopes of bringing a smile to his face.

This monster is the same one that I used on the post directly below this one. Here is a peek at the inside of my project where I have featured this stamp sets "Crankier Monster".
His fever must be really high to be flowing all those flames!!! The thermometer is from the Crafty Secrets "Feel Better" Sticker Sheet.

EEK A MONSTER Stamp Set is 20% OFF with FREE SHIPPING

CHALLENGES I USED:
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Show your GRUNGE
Paper Sundaes: Fall or Halloween Colors (I used fall)
Sew Many Challenges: Embossing (I heat embossed my monsters)
Inktegrity: Anything Goes
Pile It On: Red, Yellow, Green, Brown (Red obvious, Yellow/Gold stitching, Green tag & label, Brown ICU letters & sponging)
Prairie Fairy Designs: Embossing
Stampin' Royalty: Stitching
Fussy & Fancy: Holiday colors in a non-holiday project (Christmas or fall colors for get-well)
4 Crafty Chicks: Embossing

............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Eek a Monster), Close To My Heart (sentiments)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (black)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (Sweet Spring tags), Walmart Scrap Pad (Best Occasions), Crate Paper, Junkitz (snippitz)
Ink: Versamark, Copics,
Tools: Cuttlebug, Stampin Up (large note die), Sewing Machine
Misc: Crafty Secrets stickers (feel better), Making Memories (black eyelets), google eye

TRIUMPHANT over ?????

MILITARY TRANSFER
NEW HOME
NO FRIENDS
NO FURNITURE
GREY ROOTS
SNAKES
TRAVELING
FAMILY VISITS
CULTURE SHOCK
&
D E P R E S S I O N

The above list could go on and on, however out of fear of regression of the depression, I WON'T

I'll just say, I'm sorry and that I have missed being a part of this community and of course all of you folks that I consider to be my friends. Thank you so much for the personal notes to say that you have missed me and letting me know that you were concerned. It felt so good today to actually cruise around looking for challenges, and CREATE............

I created today's card for our military sponsors. Upon arriving here in Florida, we had nothing except what our suitcases contained. Not having lived on the mainland USA since 1992, we were unaware that the military does not give you loaner furniture upon arrival at a new duty station. We had a brand new house here waiting on us, however it was EMPTY!! Without ever having met us, Brett & Vicki opened up their home for a few nights until we could purchase mattresses. They also put together a box of items containing plates, cups, silverware, pots & pans and even WINE GLASSES ;o) Their hospitality allowed us to stay in our new home for over a month until our household goods arrived. I'll admit that having my mattress in the middle of the living room was FUN.

This card was something that I created when I had nothing. I had printed the image prior to leaving Sicily and would you belive that Brett owns a TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE?

The glow in the dark star was something that I had picked up off of my floor in Sicily when all of my furniture had been packed up. The room that we stayed in over at Brett & Vicki's just happened to have glow in the dark stars above the bed!!! The tag & hemp fiber behind the motorcycle image actually came off of a pair of shorts that I had purchased while traveling. My daughter created the "Thank You" sentiment using the computer.

I was so tickled with how this card turned out and I hope they know how deeply they touched my heart with their hospitality. Perhaps now that the dust and fog have lifted, I will be able to repay them by inviting them over and opening a fantabulous bottle of Wine that we imported from Italy??

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fresh Brewed: Thank You
Mercy's Sketch: Sketch (as usual, I am sharing MY interpretation of how I view the sketch)
PaperKutz: Anything Goes

The Joy's of "New" Motherhood

Wow, I am so far past the NEW MOM stage of parenting that when I think of babies this is what I think of:

That wonderful Vintage Baby image was compliments of Vintage Image Crafts where the owners are very generous with their images. Sign up to receive their Newsletter or add them as a friend on Facebook so you don't miss out on FREE IMAGES. ---> HERE


Check out the sentiment that I placed on the inside where I also had the opportunity to play with another one of the new "Vintage Background" stamps by NinaB available at Gina K Designs:

CHALLENGES I USED:
Vintage Image Crafts: Use their images as the main focus on any project
The Shabby Tea Room: Comforts of Home Inspiration((tooth powder is pretty comforting but I was also inspired by the colors)
Cute Card Thursday: Make Your Own (I made my own ribbon out of scraps fabric, also created my own Tag from a digital image I found online)
KL Stampin N Scrappin Challenge: Inside/Out (finish the inside of the card also)
Your Next Stamp: Going Dotty (I used polka dot patterned paper)
Jacksonbelle Tuesday Challenge: Going Krafty (create a card using Kraft CS as your Base)

..........Supplies I used.............
Stamps: Gina K Designs (Vintage Images by NinaB)
Images: Vintage Image Crafts (crying baby), Shabby Chic Papirskatter(images: label, tooth powder & crown)
Paper: Paper Trey Ink (kraft), K&Co (bailey paper pack), Stampin Up (very vanilla)
Ink: Stampin Up (close to cocoa)
Misc: Homemade ribbon from scraps of cloth, Papertrey Ink (button)

EXCITING NEWS

NEIGHBOR, FRIEND, STAMP DESIGNER

AND
A REALLY BIG DEAL

NINA BRACKETT
OF
"CRAFTING IN CROATIA"

INVITED ME to DESIGN with her Brand New Stamp Set "VINTAGE BACKGROUNDS" which was Released by GINA K Designs last week. Now before you go running off to NINA's BLOG where I AM BEING FEATURED, wanna see what I created:

Is that Hounds Tooth not PERFECT paired with this old man from "You Know Your Old When" which is an older Gina K stamp set. Now LOOK CLOSER so you can see that I used another one of the New Stamps to stamp his Party Hat and his Tie! Isn't he Funny:
I just got plain carried away and decided to keep stamping so here are a couple shots off the inside and one of the other "VINTAGE BACKGROUND" stamps:

Help I'm Stamping and I can't STOP so I carried my theme on over to the envelope:

CHALLENGES:
DON'T FORGET about Nina's Challenge ends at Midnight tonight 4/29
Mo's Challenge #29: Masculine Card (so excited to get to participate this week)
2 Sketches 4 You: Sketch (I wasn't sure if the signature was part of the sketch so I added the label in place of Kazan's Signature)
Cute Card Thursday: Make your Own (Perfect!! I Made my own Patterned paper using the hounds tooth stamp!!)
Crafty Creations: Make your Own Backgrounds (SCORE Again)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Vintage (nothing more vintage than an Old Man)
The Crazy Challenge: Buttons, Brads & Eyelets: (I used 2 buttons)

............Supplies I used.............
Stamps: Gina K (Vintage Backgrounds, You know Your Old When)
Paper: Gina K (Autumn Assortment: fresh asparagus, chocolate brown), Stampin Up (naturals), Bazzil Basics (textured brown)
Ink: Tsukineko (momento black tuxedo), Copic Markers
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities die cut label 7), Stampin Up (sizzix label die), Singer sewing machine
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (buttons, hemp)

Follow Your Heart

Have you ever tried to make a Masculine Valentine?

I've recently had some commission requests to create "Manly Valentines", however, I think I might be Man Valentine CHALLENGED ;o(
So just as I sat starring at my table and supplies, here I sit starring at the scrren wondering what to say about this card....... In my opinion it is ALESAGGIO (Italian for boring). Where is the Glitter? Where is the RIBBON?

One of the other requests that I received was quite specific: "Manly Valentine for a guy that served in the Army and loves Music"......... Needless to say, that card is still a blank piece of cardstock....
Speaking of MEN, I am outta here. Gonna spend the day out in the sun getting to know my MAN again. (guess you'll have to read the previous post if you are confused)
Blog Land is FULL of LOVE this week, check out some of these challenges
CHALLENGES:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Be My Valentine
ABC Challenges: N for New (I used a new Unity stamp)
Crafty Creations: Wings (my heart has wings)
Stamp Something: Love Something

You have until 12am EST TONIGHT to enter the
ABC Toys & Crafts "I Love You..."Sweetheart" Challenge

.........Supplies I used............
Stamps: Unity
Paper: Stampin Up (white naturals), My Minds Eye (red hot paper), piece of caramel colored scrap & not sure about the dark paisley
Ink: Momento (black), Stampin Up (close to cocoa), Paper Trey Ink (dark chocolate)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (wood buttons, twine)

My Husband is home from Afghanistan

This is my 400th Blog Post
I have had over 25,000 hits
I now have over 100 Followers

Keep watching my blog
because very soon
I will be CELEBRATING
with some
BLOG CANDY

Excuse the little break that I just gave myself the past few days, however, I was pleasantly surprised with a HUSBAND that came home from AFGHANISTAN !!!!!!!!! I wasn't expecting him until this weekend at the earliest. There was a photographer on hand so hopefully I will have those to share soon.

Moving on to the adorable little Choo Choo Train Card. This is some of the paper that I hope never runs out. It is part of the Zoom Collection by Crate Paper. The weight, quality and texture are just amazing. I used a Nestability Label 4 Die to cut out a little window across the bottom and then placed a piece of the the cardstock with the Train under it. I then took another image of the Train and cut it out, inked the edges a bit then adhered it using foam squares. As you can see, I cut out the wheels and replaced them with button "wheels" instead. I used the Martha Stewart Picket Fence punch on the green strip of cardstock that runs along one side. I did the same thing on the inside. I was kind of thinking it looked like railroad ties. What do you think?
Challenges:
Lily-Boo: One Ribbon & One Tag
Creative Belli Challenge: Ribbon
<<----------There is still time to come Enter the ABC "I love you.."Sweetheart" Challenge. Click Blinkie for complete details
.............Supplies I used................
Paper: Crate Paper (zoom collection), Stampin Up (wild wasabi, bashful blue
Tools: Martha Stewart (picket fence border punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities label 4)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (ribbon & twine), Stampin Up (buttons & foam squares)
Ink: Stampin Up (close to cocoa)

Fussy & Fancy challenge #2 - WINTER

Fussy & Fancy

Challenge
#2
"WINTER"

"StampInsanity" is all about edgy, unique and sassy stamps." The owner, Beth Schultz, was very sweet to give the Design Team a fun winter themed image to use for our creations. I personally think that this edgy guy could easily be turned into a funky female based on how you color the image. Cannot wait to go try out my fun idea!

About my card: This was my very first attempt at creating an "Easel Card"....... I think I have found my newest addiction!! Fun, Fun, Fun I also remembered that I had a very cool Basic Grey "Peace Symbol".. I stamped that image in grey, then used a glue pen and traced the image (sheeeesh my Martha Stewart glue pad would have been so much quicker but didn't remember that until NOW), I then sprinkled on a very fine white glitter. I used black Swarovski Crystals for my snowman's buttons.

Other CHALLENGES:
Creative Belli Challenges: Glitter or rhinestones (I used both)
Three Clovers Designs: Baby It's Cold Outside

Visit our Challenge Blog see what the rest of the Design Team came up with along with complete Challenge Details

Unique Baby Shower Gift for a little boy

I attended a baby shower a couple of weeks ago and this is a fun little set of onsies that I created as part of my gift. The top two photos show that I stamped both the front and backs of each onsie using Stazon Ink. The only thing that I did different to each shirt was where I stamped the sentiment "Need for Speed". Just to make sure that my image was there to stay, I heat set them using my embossing gun. The package contained 3 onsies that I rolled up and placed in a matching gift bag. Boxes & bags are my favorite things to create probably because the presentation of an ordinary gift becomes so much more exciting! Remember that if you are creating your own patterned paper, stamp your images BEFORE cutting the card stock...

Although I originally created this card to go with my gift, I ended up creating a more traditional "baby card" in baby blue. The large circle was cut using a large Nestabilities circle. I stamped my main image and embossed him in black. I stamped him a second time using gray ink to give him a shadow. This was the first time that I had ever used my brayer tool, however, this is a technique that I can't wait to do again. So simple, just roll the brayer across an ink pad then over your stamped image alternating colors. No need to mask the stamped image if you have heat embossed because the ink wipes right off. The grass was created by stamping the top portion of a large background stamp in different shades of green.
Thank you so much for visiting me today.

REMINDERS

"Twisted Thursday" sketch challenge - there is still time
to play. Complete details are below

September 3 - BLOG HOP and of course there will be
PRIZES
DISCOUNT CODE
worth 15 % off your entire order
at
ABC Toys & Crafts

-------> ABC15F <-------

This discount code is good until October 10

My HERO & Blog Candy Alert

As you know, my husband recently left for a lovely, extended, Tropical vacation in Afghanistan which could explain why I haven't been my talkative self. Today's card was created for him as I'm sure many of my cards in the next 6/7 months will be. I combined 3 different challenges into this card. The sketch came from 2sketches4you (blinkie on my side bar), The color combo was this week's color challenge at Splitcoast and the Clean & Simple challenge was to create a Masculine card.

BLOG CANDY ALERT
click on the blinkie so that you can enter

Not only is ABC Toys & Crafts giving away Blog Candy valued at over $100,

EVERYTHING IS 10% OFF until August 30th

REMINDER : I would love to have you join the "TWISTED THURSDAY" sketch challenge. Complete details are directly below this post. you have until Wednesday to enter your project.
...............Supplies I used................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (2008 anniversary set), H&M (hero sentiment), Unity (scallop oval)
Paper: K&Co ( ), Stampin Up (cocoa,turquise, vanilla)
Ink: Stampin Up (close to cocoa)
Misc & Tools: My Favorite Things (ribbon), Stampin Up (star punch small), Spellbinders (large scallop squares 10%off at ABC), Marvy Uchida (pink & blue scallop ovals), Foam squares, Provo Craft (Cuttlebug)

AWWW The Memories

So here it is 2 a.m. and I am finally putting my MOJO aside and taking the time to post this very fun card. Don't you just love when your creativity goes wild and you honestly don't want to take the time to do lifes little necessities, like sleep, eat, take care of the kids, YEA, ya'll know what I'm talking about. Can I get an AMEN?

Let's move on to this card shall we? These stamps (checkers, chinese checkers and parcheesi) by Karen Lockhart remind me of my childhood so I wanted to give them a vintage feel. After stamping them, coloring and cutting them out, I inked the edges a bit, but not too much. I didn't want to ruin the coloring. Check out the Teeny Little Checkers!!! Those were created by using my smallest hole punch and scrap pieces of paper, I then glued the little checkers onto the board. Now look closely at the Blue background Designer Paper and notice that it has a vintage childhood motif going on. How cool is that? It is called Kazoo Kids by K&Co, as are the pieces of chipboard. You know all of those extra buttons that come with pants and sweaters? Well this is exactly what they are for!!!

Want to see the sketch I used? Check out the sketch along with the details HERE. Of course there is a PRIZE!!!!

REMINDER:

• You have until Sunday to upload your Twisted Thursday sketch challenge onto Mr. Linky over on Karolyn's Blog. The Details are below this post.
• Elisabeth Bell BLOG CANDY is still up for grabs. You have until Monday to visit the FOLLOW YOUR HEART blog and get all of the details. This is an opportunity that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS.....

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to us

Yes you read the title correct. February 18 1989, Dave and I said "We Do Forever" and guess what? We actually meant it. I mean it is not everyday that a hip, happenin, sexy couple like ourselves can say that we have been married for 20 years....In saying that, I mean to the same person. (someone actually asked us that waaaaaay back during our 5th year of marriage, sheeeeesh and they thought 5 years was a long time to be married???) So here I am Celebrating my biggest and proudest accomplishment ALONE. O sure I could gush about how I am the luckiest woman alive, how Dave refers to me as his "Bride", or about the beautiful pedastal that he so delicately places me upon. Or I could tell you how he is my "hero", how he serves, God, his country and how he loves his family but that's not what you came here for....... You wanna see what I made him!!!!




We were supposed to take a cruise to celebrate our life together, however, Uncle Sam, deems it necessary for him to train his team for a tour in Iraq. Thank God, I did not purchase the tickets!! I started out creating this amazing little Tuxedo Jacket Card when I realized how wonderful it would be to present it with a framed photo of us on our Wedding Day. We really were babies. I was 19 and he was 20. Although this gift has no monetary value, it signifies our Promise to Love one Another For Better For Worse, in Sickness and in Health, For Richer For Poorer, Until Death Do We Part. I also printed out a very small copy of this photo and placed inside the Tuxedo Jacket. I thought he could carry that one in his wallet (not to mention, I was not about to write inside this card.


As you can see, my inspiration came from the March 20008 Paper Trends idea book. You can find a complete step by step tutorial HERE As you can see, I changed mine up a bit. I choose pink since I had pink velvet rather than black for my lapels. For the bow tie and cumberbund I used PTI's satin, polka dot ribbon in Blush. I also changed up my cumberbund as well. I cut a strip of 120lb white cardstock then I layered strips of the ribbons on top of it starting with the bottom ribbon and glueing them in place.



I have also loaded a photo showing how I packaged and surprised him by slipping the gift into his luggage. He was not suppose to open it until Feb 18, however, he called me TODAY to wish me Happy Anniversary. YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN MARRIED FOREVER WHEN NEITHER ONE OF YOU CAN REMEMBER YOUR EXACT WEDDING DATE. He was so adament that our Anniversary was today that I had to go find our Wedding Certificate to figure out who was right. DUH ME !!! O well I will take a man that remembers the day before vs. missing it.

(Notice: while typing this post yesterday, the internet went down twice so I gave up. I just discovered that blogger automatically saved the draft so without further ado and after the day from hell, I am going to just add the photos and be done)

Genuine Western Man Card & A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

YEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAw, I am on a Man Makin Card kick. Now this is a SEXY card. OK maybe I am kickin my heels up for more exciting news than just this card??? Remember when I said that I had set a goal for myself in 2009? That goal was to be asked to be on a DESIGN TEAM........... W E L L ---

CHECK THIS OUT (yes click on the blue)

I've officially GOT ATTITUDE... !! I know, I know, I probably didn't need justification but just in case ya'll did, there ya have it, I am officially on the design team as a LADY WITH ATTITUDE!!

OKie Dokie forgive me while I did my little happy dance. Let's talk about this clever little card. Started out with a Kraft CS base and inked up the edges. The DP strip was originally cut out to use the other side but I realized how perfect the Western sentiment was so I used it instead.. The stamp set is SU Bronc Buster. I used the smaller horse shoe/star stamp on the inside edge and stamped the Broco dude on the front along with a flourish in the top right hand corner. The DP is by Cosmo Cricket and I absolutely love that wood grain paper. Wonder if I could find some more of that?? I cut a rectangle piece out, ruffed up the edges with my scissors and fingernail then inked the edges and bent them forwards. I set two eyelets in the upper corners. The fiber that I used for the top of the sign was another string that came on some garment tag. I actually placed that one in our pot of coffee to dye it!!!!!!! The Genuine stamp was stamped in Dark Chocolate on a piece of thick brown paper bag that I cut out and crumbled up several times. I un-crumbled it, inked the edges good and dark and ran my sponge across the wrinkles. I found a random silver, star eyelet that I sanded and set in the center of the stamped star. The wood grain part is mounted on foam squares but the Genuine sign is only glued down the middle, leaving the sides tattered and free.

Well that is it for me. After you check out the blog post for the DT ANNOUNCEMENT, please take a peek at the WEBSITE that I will be designing for. Hopefully they give me a Blinkie that I can add to the side of my blog (hint hint)