My 365 Project | Week 11

I'm getting back in the groove - only one missed day for week 11.  I'm getting the itch back, finally, and it's a good thing I have crafty things to fall back on, haha!

Day 59: Inky Fingers

Cardmaking is a hobby of mine. A sweet hobby that turned into my 'work' - I need a sign "I work for stamps!" I absolutely love transforming cardstock and ribbon and buttons and rhinestones into one sweet little pretty card. I just try not to picture what happens to these precious creations after they are given away. I'm sure people frame them and cherish them forever, not toss them in the trash bin, right?

Day 60: Library only has ONE 'R'...

my daugher says. Now, I realize she's being difficult and stubborn - arguing just to argue, but now I have proof that I'm right, see? So there!

Day 61: Hopscotch

I couldn't decide which hopscotch photo I wanted to upload, but I liked this one of big brother watching little sister have a go at hopscotch on our sidewalk. It was SO beautiful outside today and tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, so we'll be heading outside again. It was nice to get out in the fresh air this afternoon, most definitely.

**I also like that my daughter is wearing ALL the colors of the rainbow today - those green sparkly shoes really tie in the bright yellow jacket with her Christmas plaid dress...

Day 62: OM-NOM-NOM

Yep - the scone monster was here today. She devoured everything except the napkin. My daughter. Love her.

Day 63: Ben & Jerry's

What do you do when the temperature creeps up into the 60's? Go grab some ice cream, of course! I took the littlest kids to Ben & Jerry's for a little treat today and they quickly put their jackets back on when the brain freeze soaked in. Rainbow sprinkles make me ache for summer.

Day 64: ...are you the snake??

Had a little friend over this afternoon for a cut-throat game of Guess Who. His concentration could not be broken.

Thanks again for your kind words and support on this project!  I need all the cheering I can get :)

Karen

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 110

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC110 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

Here's another sweet little card using the set Fairy Good Day - mini fairies!  I stamped the images in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored them with Copics and added a few yellow rhinestones in the middle of the flowers.  I added a grass border and little chocolate clip, which I found while cleaning out my desk!  It's like new supplies!  I gave her wings a little glitter using a gelly roll pen.
The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

• Dana White - she's taking the day off, but swing on by and say hello
• Jennifer Tapler
• Karen Motz 
• Lynn Put 
• Sarah-Jane Kale'
• Vicki Burdick

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week! 
Karen


recipe -
stamps: fairy good day (there she goes)
paper: lakeshore (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose gertie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: copic markers, twinkle dots (a.muse), yellow pearls (kaisercraft), chocolate clip (su), corduroy brad (su), rectangle/scallop & oval/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), beautiful blooms 3 dies (papertrey ink), stardust gelly roll pen

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Hello, hello!  It's Saturday and time to announce this week's SSSC winner!  I'm so glad you all enjoyed this week's sketch and some of you were very happy to leave those crazy circles behind - haha!  Our random.org winner is....

#53 - Melissa Craig!

Congrats Melissa!  I love the green with the kraft paper and the image is just adorable!  You can see more of Melissa's work at her blog, Stamp it, Scrap it, Share it - hop on over and say hey.

See you soon for then next sketch!
Karen

There She Goes Preview | Day THREE

Welcome to the last day of the There She Goes Blog Hop Challenges!  You should start your hop at the There She Goes blog, where all the details of the challenge are, and if you've come my way from Jodi's darling blog, then you're at the right place.

There’s no place like GNOME! Yep…you guessed it! Torico has created a fabulously whimsical set featuring some outstanding gnome images and coordinating sentiments. Clean designs and adorable images characterize Torico’s style, and this set is no different!

My Little Friend is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 31 stamps and will sell for $24.

When I first saw this set, I was laughing so hard - all the sentiments are hysterical!  Plus the little gnomes are absolutely the cutest ever and I'll be coloring up these little guys lots!  I stamped this one in Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored him with Copics - the edges were sponged with Memento Cantaloupe before I took the image out of the Nestabilities, giving that white border.  The papers are from Stella & Rose Gertie and I added a little So Saffron bow and buttons.

The inside of the card has the sentiment, which I cut out with an oval Nestabilities die -

Would you like a chance to win the My Little Friend stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their My Little Friend Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own My Little Friend stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Mar 26th) during the Release Party Chat.

The next stop on the Blog Hop Challenge is the super fab Kim and there is lots more fantastic eye candy waiting for you along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Karen

recipe -
stamps: my little friend (there she goes)
paper: kraft, ruby red (su), jetstream (bazzill), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose gertie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black & cantaloupe
accessories: circle/blossom nestabilities, small scallop border die (taylored expressions), subtles buttons (su), so saffron ribbon (su)

Taylored Expressions Blast From the Past Blog Hop

If you've stopped by looking for todays There She Goes blog hop, click here or scroll down one post.  Thanks!

Good morning!  It's the Taylored Expressions Blast From the Past blog hop!  I'm loving all the strawberries in the stores lately, which inspired me to use Berries & Cherries.  I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and then colored it with Copics and added some fabulous Espresso Dimensional Pearls for the chocolate sauce.  The fantastic layout is by our very own Sankari and I flipped it so the strawberry would be facing inward. 

There She Goes Preview | Day TWO

Welcome to the second day of the There She Goes preview blog hop!  You should start your hop at the There She Goes blog, where all the details of the challenge are, and if you've come my way from Julie's blog, then you're at the right place.

Whether you’re one of those individuals who suffers from technological meltdowns, or you’re one who has the world of technology all figured out; you’ll roll on the floor laughing when you get a look at this hilarious set illustrated by Jessica!She’s covered all of her bases, too…from cell phones to PCs…and she’s included
sentiments that will crack up anyone that receives a card created with the set.
Technology Bytes is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 20 stamps and will sell for $18.

Eat. Sleep. Blog.  Anyone with me?  haha!  I stamped the computer image in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Copics and sponged around the edges in Memento Desert Sand.  The flower blossom was cut out with MFT's Flower Trio die-namics and I finished it with a chocolate pearl.

Would you like a chance to win the Technology Bytes stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Technology Bytes Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Technology Bytes stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Mar 26th) during the Release Party Chat.

Spring is in the air, and nothing says spring like tulips! This new set from Chris Dark showcases her flawless and realistic illustration of a single tulip and is paired with several sentiments that coordinate with the image. This set is a must-have for any flower lover!

Tulip is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 8 stamps and will sell for $7

I stamped this beautiful tulip in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Copics and again sponged the edges in Memento Cantaloupe.

Would you like a chance to win the Tulip stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Tulip Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Tulip stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Mar 26th) during the Release Party Chat

The next stop on the Blog Hop Challenge is Kim and there is lots more fantastic eye candy waiting for you along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karen

recipes -
technology bites card
stamps: technology bites (there she goes)
paper: jetstream & lakeshore (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, hopscotch (basic grey)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand
accessories: copic markers, chocolate pearls (kaisercraft), circle nestabilities (spellbinders), flower trio die-namics (mft)

tulip card
stamps: tulip (there she goes)
paper: not quite navy (su), so saffron (su), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose hattie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento cantaloupe
accessories: copic markers, subtles buttons (su), so saffron stitched ribbon (su), small scallop border die (taylored expressions), circle & labels 11 nestabilities (spellbinders), linen thread

There She Goes Preview | Day ONE

Hello!  I'm very, very, extremely happy to be posting my first There She Goes preview card! 

Welcome to this month's There She Goes Blog Hop Challenges!  You should start your hop at the There She Goes blog, where all the details of the challenge are, and if you've come my way from Julie's blog, then you're at the right place.

Do you know someone who is out of this world, or maybe even someone who could have come from another planet??? If so, then you’ll definitely love this new fabulous and whimsical set illustrated by Melyssa Connolly!  Out of This World is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 19 stamps and will sell for $18.

Isn't this little alien just the cutest??  This is 3 different images masked into one scene.  I stamped the images in Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored them with Copics.  I thought it would be pretty cute to give this little alien a think bubble too - made out of oval Nestabilities and 1/8" & 1/4" circle punches.

Would you like a chance to win the Out of This World stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Out of This World Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add
your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Out of This World stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Mar 26th) during the Release Party Chat.

The next stop on the Blog Hop Challenge is Kim and there is lots more fantastic eye candy waiting for you along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: out of this world (there she goes)
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: intense kiwi (bazzill), birchtone dark (bazzill), choice snow white (taylored expressions), some scraps of patterned paper I can't remember the name
accessories: chocolate stitched grosgrain ribbon, copic markers

My 365 Project | Week 9 & 10

I'm combining weeks 9 and 10 on this page since I only took one photo in week 9 {the bubble} and week 10 only has 3!  Slacker.  The 365 website I use numbers each photo you take instead of numbering the day on which you took it, so I may remake these pages so there aren't any blanks.  I don't know.  I'm back on track now though, whew! 

Enjoy!

Day 55: Spring Preview

Today was the most gorgeous almost-spring day and the kids were so excited to get out and play and run around and just be flat out crazy. I was pretty excited too. Time to get out the bubbles - LOVE my son's expression as he's trying to race down the bubble to pop it before the wind sweeps it away.
You may have noticed I've fallen off of the 365 Project planet - wow. Boy have I ever failed in getting anything photograped for a long, long time and I feel terrible! I'm such a slacker and the motivation was sucked out of me. I hope to get back on track here!!!

 

Day 56: Start 'em Young

I lost my old iPod Nano, so I just *had* to go buy myself a new Touch. I don't have one of those fancy iPhones and I'm SO excited to use aps! I'm in with the real world now, baby! My daughter grabbed this and is now completely hooked on Tiny Wings. Can't say I blame her really. Mine is Angry Birds. I shall get a photo of that crazy addiction tomorrow *wink*

 

Day 57: Time to Myself

The best thing about stealing away with a good book is the quiet - ahhh, that precious time of night when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet {I'll ignore the sounds of March Madness coming from the living room} and I get to go somewhere else, follow along in someone else's life and run away for a bit. Of course, I always go somewhere that has a great mystery to solve with lots of twists and turns along the way.

 

Day 58: Friday Night Pizza

It's family night and that usually means a trip to a local mom & pop pizza place called Justine's. Mmmm. Best pizza ever! And is it right that her drink is bigger than her face? The best part about our pizza tradition is we bring along a game to play while we wait. Love those family moments and I'm hoping this tradition stays alive as long as the pizza place stays in business.

 

That's it this time.  Short and sweet.

Karen

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 109

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC109 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

Yep, more Stella & Rose papers for you today - I'm completely in love with this series from My Mind's Eye.  These papers are from the Hazel pack.  I paired the patterns with Cupcake Collection from Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is from Signature Greetings.  The image panel is cut out with the Labels 4 Nestabilities and I sponged around the edges with  Memento Desert Sand.

Saturday I went to Denver to see Craig Ferguson's stand-up bit {I'm probably heading out of the show right when this posts} with my wonderful husband and a good friend and her hubby too.  This is the same friend who grabbed me to go see him on his Late Late Show when we were at CHA last January, so I love that we get to see him again in our own neck of the woods, and this time he won't be so censored, so if I start talking like a truck driver (or maybe Debra on Dexter) after this post, you'll know why.  In Cali last year, we drove to see the show in an amazing Mustang - this year?  Yeah... driving to Denver in our blue minivan.  Wooo!  We're so cool in the 'blueberry'.  "I KNOW!!"  hee. 




The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

• Dana White
• Jennifer Tapler
• Karen Motz 
• Lynn Put 
• Sarah-Jane Kale'
• Vicki Burdick

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week! 
Karen

recipe -
stamps: cupcake collection & signature greetings (papertrey ink)
paper: choice buttercream (taylored expressions), ruby red (su), kraft cardstock, stella & rose hazel (my mind's eye)
ink: bermuda bay (su), riding hood red (su), pink pirouette (su), memento rich cocoa, memento desert sand
accessories: brights buttons (su), island lagoon rhinestones (kaisercraft), chocolate grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, labels 4 nestabilities (spellbinders), medium scallop border die (taylored expressions)

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Good afternoon!  Another week has flown by and it's already time to announce this week's SSSC winner!  Our random.org winner is....

#45 - Chupa!

This card is so fun and cheery with its bright, bold colors and I love the way the flowers pop over the side of the image panel - so cute!  Congrats Chupa!!  Please stop on over to Random Acts of Creativity for more beautiful work from Chupa.

See you back soon for our next challenge or hop on Facebook for head start.
Karen

Bug me

Hello!  In the spirit of wishing spring weather would stick around longer than 2 days, I'm stamping up a fun little summer card, hoping that will melt away this gray day!  I got this adorable little mini set from There She Goes called Bug Me Anytime and I'm so happy to have inked up this little dragonfly.  I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored him with Copics - then I added a little diamond glaze and some glitter on the wings - poof!  LOVELY sparkly wings. 

Best part about adding glitter to diamond glaze is the glitter is difficult to rub free, so you won't get it all over your envelopes once you send it.  Nice!  The papers are Stella & Rose Mabel from My Mind's Eye.

Have a wonderful Friday!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: bug me anytime (there she goes)
paper: ruby red (su), pumpkin pie (su), prism intense kiwi, choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose mabel (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: copic markers, diamond glitter, diamond glaze (judi-kins), grass border punch (martha stewart), lacey circles/circles nestabilities (spellbinders), brights buttons (su), scallop edge punch (su)

My 365 Project | Week 8

I had to get fancy with my layout for week 8 since I slacked and didn't take photos on 2 of the days.  Just wait 'til you see next week!  haha! 

Day 50: Girls Weekend

So this would be a photo to help remind me that I need lots more practice at indoor photos {read: carry a tripod with me at all times??} but since I was an idiot and forgot to bring my camera with me when we were walking around Denver in the daylight, this is what I have. Six of us moms took the weekend off from being mom and we treated ourselves to martinis and Maggianos. Mmm... Cheers!

 

Day 51: This next move is gonna be killer!

I actually took this photo on Tuesday and back-filled it for Sunday since I didn't have any photos from the day, despite going to a birthday party - sheesh.

My son, he's the ultimate game lover, and bless his heart, he tried to teach me this game. We ended up just moving pieces around and then gave up. It's one of his daddy's games that I haven't learned yet. Also, his little face still has marker on it from craft time in his class. I'm such a good mom.

 

Day 52: Up a Tree

We have this little nest in our tree out front and it is surviving our windy winter. There was one last year too, but it met a terrible end by blowing away. It's much too high to take photos of the nest later in the spring when there may be eggs, which is a real bummer. The sky was such a beautiful blue today and I thought it would make a great backdrop.

 

Day 53: Knob Bokeh

I run the sound and video at our MOPS {Mothers of Preschoolers} group and have always wanted to take a picture of the sound board. It looks way more impressive than what I actually work with, but editing this photo made me want to drive back there and clean these things off - ewww! Purell anyone?

 

Day 54: Personality Profile?

If you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, then should you judge a personality by the book one chooses? I think so - I can see my kiddos in each of these books they picked up today. Fancy Nancy - my princess. Baby Brains and RoboMom - has to be that boy; anything with brains and robots. Bunnicula - yep, the first born. Don't forget me. Can you guess?

 

That's it for this week, now my days don't match up with the days of the year.  Oops!  It's ok - really, it is...

 

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Exciting News for Taylored Expressions!

Have you heard the latest?  Taylored Expressions is now a Member Company at Splitcoaststampers, the largest stamping community on the web!  Please come by the TE Forum and say hi!  Taylor is hosting a challenge to celebrate the Grand Opening of her Member Company Forum! All you have to do is upload a new card or other creation featuring Taylored Expression images to the SCS gallery using Keyword tayloredexpressions (NO spaces) to be entered into a random drawing.  Get all the info and find out what the prizes are by clicking here.  Even though TE is all about RUBBER, to make sure everyone has a chance to play, Taylor is giving away several FREE digital images this week! You don't want to miss this!
Hop on over and chat - the Baker's Dozen will be there to say howdy and get this party started!

Karen

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 108

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC108 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I'm SO ready for spring to stay.  Seems like we have these incredibly warm days that just tease us since there is always a cold snowy day thrown in the mix to keep us in touch with winter.  So in the spirit of all things colorful, I'm making a spring card for this week's challenge.  I started with Friendship Blooms from Taylored Expressions and cut out the leafy branch with the Leafy Branch Die after stamping it in Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk Ink.  The rest of the card is all made from Stella and Rose Hattie papers by My Mind's Eye - isn't it gorgeous!!?  The buttons are from the Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather collection and I added a little linen thread to them before gluing them down on the branch.  The sentiment was stamped twice and cut out to make the ribbon tag.  I made the little button flower from the Friendship Blooms Dies.

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

• Dana White
• Jennifer Tapler
• Karen Motz 
• Lynn Put 
• Sarah-Jane Kale'
• Vicki Burdick

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week! 
Karen

recipe -
stamps: friendship blooms (taylored expressions)
paper: jetstream canvas texture (bazzill), not quite navy (stampin' up!), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose hattie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, olive pastel fluid chalk (colorbox)
accessories: mitten weather buttons (cosmo cricket), leafy branch die (taylored expressions), friendship blooms dies (taylored expressions), circle/scallop & labels 11 nestabilities (spellbinders), linen thread

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Hello - It's Saturday and that means it's time to announce this week's Sweet Sunday winner!  Random.org has chosen.....

#50 - Michele K!

I adore the clean lines and bright colors of this card and the little buttons in the frame are a perfect little accent.  AND did you see the stick pin in the spool of thread?  SO cute!  Congrats Michele!  Please stop by Michele's blog, Michele Hearts Paper and say hello.

See you back soon for another fun sketch!
Karen

TSG97 | Get Krafty

Hello, hello & Happy Friday!  I'm so happy to jump into this week's TSG challenge from Jodi - Get Krafty!  Love it!  Getting krafty isn't such a huge 'challenge' for me, so I was happy to make another krafty card.  You know me and my kraft :)

This little cupcake is from Make a Wish and I stamped it in Memento Rich Cocoa and added a little Copic coloring.  Actually, I colored the entire die cut with BG0000, which I've never done before, but I really like how that turned out.  I stamped the banner on a scrap piece of Stella & Rose Gertie paper by My Mind's Eye and added a few Copic shadows.  The other papers on this card are also from the same paper pack and it's OK to use stripes and polka-dots on cards right?  Just not to wear?  Don't need my card as an example on What Not to Stamp now, do I?  Hahaha!  I added a few Island Lagoon rhinestones and finished it with some turquoise satin ribbon.

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope to see you back soon!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: make a wish (there she goes)
paper: kraft, chocolate chip (su), choice buttercream (taylored expressions) cardstock, stella & rose gertie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: copic markers, apron lace border punch (fiskars), square/scallop & labels 1 nestabilities (spellbinders), turquoise satin ribbon, island lagoon rhinestones (kaisercraft)

My 365 Project | Week 7

I've completely dropped the ball on my 365 Project. Grrr. I forgot to post my week 7 project on my blog, so it's just a wee bit late.  Week 8 is full of holes.  Week 9 is even worse.  Ooopss! I'll get back on the wagon - it's starting to snow here this morning and I cannot tell you how ready for spring I am, not only for taking photos, but just to get outside and get active again.  Lazy weekends under a cozy blanket drinking hot drinks are not good for the waist line.  haha!  Anyway, enough of my babbling - here's what happened in week 7.

Day 43: The Celebration Continues

Today we had my son's birthday party with all of the family and my husband made this adorable dinosaur cake, complete with cupcake dino eggs too. I love the expression of joy and anticipation on his face and how he is just sucked into the moment.

I can't take credit for designing the cake, we found it here: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/how-to-make-a-dinosaur-cake/17w2za108?q=dinosaur+cake

Day 44: Flare
I am not feeling quite myself today, seems we've been passing something around the house this week. Needless to say, I didn't pick up my camera and once the kids went to bed, I just crashed on the couch. Enter - the filler photo. This one is from December when I was just taking some meter photos to get the exposure right on the fence before the family I was taking pictures of got into place. It's my first sun flare shot and I really like the natural tones of the landscape. Everything here is brown in the winter - all dead and dormant. yuck. But it gives beautiful glow when you add backlight.

Day 45: Valentine Strawberries

My wonderful husband decided to get creative with the kids tonight and dip strawberries with them. They each had their own little cup of chocolate and devoured their strawberries in no time at all. He made me this little trio to photograph - love him.

Day 46: More Chocolate

It's Girl Scout cookie time! We just had 4 boxes delivered this afternoon and they are not going to last long. I debated whether or not I should break the seal, but for the sake of art, I ripped into a box of Tagalongs - chocolate covered peanut butter... mmmm... The odd thing is I packed them back up in the box after I took the photo and drank the milk. What?? I think I'm still on a sugar high from the birthday cake and chocolate strawberries from the past 2 days.

Day 47: The Crazies

It's almost a full moon - just a sliver short I'd say. Time for the crazies to come out and play, oooh!! I haven't taken a photo of the moon yet and thought it was about time I did.

Day 48: King

My oldest had a day off from school, so we packed up the car and headed to the zoo. The weather was about 55 degrees, which felt warm at the time, and this beautiful lion was sunning himself on a rock, catching a little snooze. I just want to reach out and scratch him behind the ears! Love him.

Day 49: Unmotivated...

So, this is a lame photo. I know. But I thought it was funny that instead of making crafty things, which I HAVE to do tonight, I'm playing Free Cell. Over and over and over again. No motivation. None. Nada. Lame. So there.

Thanks for allowing me to share this mighty project with you - see you back soon for all things crafty!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 107

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close on Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time), and I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog on Saturday. So, as long as your card is linked by 10 PM Friday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC107 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

My nephew's 3rd birthday is coming up and so I'm back to making boy birthday cards - I think I just may be getting the hang of this masculine card thing.  I love this little airplane from PTI and decided to keep the image plane and simple - or, should I say plane and simple??  GROAN...  This is what happens when I type up a post late at night, you get BAD humor.   I can't keep it in my head, and so I choose to torture you guys too - haha!  The image is stamped in Pumpin Pie ink and the sentiment is in Memento Rich Cocoa.  I'm totally digging these Fine and Dandy True Blue papers by My Mind's Eye - so cute for the boys and girls.   I finished the card with a little Baker's Twine and used my hobby blade to cut a little hole in the top of the card at the crease so I could loop the twine through. 

There was some discussion about the little squares around the image amongst the team this week, so I thought I'd let you in on my measurements.  Well, not MY measurements - the card's.  Each little kraft base rectangle is 1-1/2" x 1-3/8" and the big kraft base for the panel is 3-1/8" x 2-3/4".  I hope that helps in keeping this monster tame.

The Sweet Sunday Stampers have amazing sketch samples to show you today, so stop on by to see:

• Dana White
• Jennifer Tapler
• Karen Motz 
• Lynn Put - she's off for the week, but would love for you to swing by and say hey
• Sarah-Jane Kale'
• Vicki Burdick

Thanks for taking on the challenge this week! 
Karen

recipe -
stamps: fly away & cupcake collection (pti)
paper: kraft, choice snow white (taylored expressions), jetstream canvas texture (bazzill), pumpkin pie (su) cardstock, fine and dandy true blue (my mind's eye)
ink: pumpkin pie (su), memento rich cocoa
accessories: light blue bakers twine (taylored expressions), scalloped edge punch (su)

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

Woohoo!  It's time to announce the latest SSSC winner!  Random.org has chosen....

#59 - Sandra MacLean!

I am LOVING Sandra's gorgeous Copic skills and this adorable TSG image.  So cute!  The mix of patterned paper is amazing too - love it!  You can see more of Sandra's work on her blog, Paper Funtastics - stop on by and say hey.
See you back soon for another challenge -
Karen

Vampire Bunny

I'm such a proud mommy right now.  My daughter Avery has a sleepover birthday party to go to tonight and she just made this card all on her own.  She totally makes me laugh.  Have you heard of the Bunnicula series of books?  Avery is WAY into them latey and she and her birthday buddy have started a Bunnicula club at school.  I guess clubs are the new 'thing' at recess.  Anyway, I just had to take a photo of her card and post it because I don't think Taylor would have ever guessed in a million years that this sweet little Easter bunny from Sweet Spring would be turned into a vampire bunny.  I have to hand it to Avery, she's pretty creative and I love all of the details she thought of -

First of all, she's put little vampire puncture marks in the carrot, which is white because Bunnicula sucked all the juice out of it, and then she added little Copic fangs and red eyes - haha!  I love that she's changed the sentiment to say "bunnicla" too (even with the misspelling).

Off to buy a Bunnicula gift - thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Fairy Birthday

It's Friday, sweet, sweet Friday!  I'm SO super excited to announce here on my blog that I'm one of the new Jr. Trendsetters on the fantastically talented There She Goes design team!  When Jessica Knutsen emailed me asking if I'd be interested, it took me about a second to consider the possibilities - what a FAB company.

I inked up this sweet little fairy from Fairy Good Day with Memento Tuxedo black and colored her in with Copic markers.  To give the flowers in her hair a little sparkle, I added a touch of Cotton Candy Stickles to the centers and I also used Sweet Stop's SSS96 for the layout.

This sweet little fairy totally reminds me of my youngest little girl - big hair, big eyes, all things girly and sparkly.  I love her!  I'm thinking this will be my go-to set when she goes to all those girly birthday parties.

Thanks for sharing in my excitement and I hope to see you back soon!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: fairy good day (there she goes clear stamps)
paper: choice buttercream (taylored expressions), jetstream & lakeshore canvas texture (bazzill) cardstock, hopscotch (basic grey)
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: 6-petal flower punch (ek success), 5-petal flower punch (ek success), 1/4" brads (su), cotton candy stickles (ranger), square/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), copic markers

Taylored Expressions Release Party

Hello again!  Today is the day - it's time to head on over to the Taylored Expressions store and see what's been cookin'!  The Baker's Dozen  is providing a new stamp round up for you this morning and you get to see a little of everything.

I'm featuring Easter Joy.  This cute little lamb was calling my name, so I made him a little grassy hill to graze on, haha!  He's stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in with Copics.  I used the Whimsy Tree Die for the darling little tree and of course, filled in the sky with the Clouds Duo Die in Choice Snow White Cardstock.  The grassy pastures were made with Hazel papers from My Mind's Eye and I couldn't resist adding a little hill of flowers too.  The sentiment was cut out using a Ribbon Tags Trio Nestabilities die, and the sentiment says "Rejoicing with you this Easter". I didn't notice the ribbon was covering it up when I took the photo, LOL!

Are you ready to win lots and lots of stamps?  I knew you were!  Taylored Expressions will be giving away the ENTIRE MARCH RELEASE to one lucky winner!  All you need to do to enter is become a fan of TE on Facebook.  The drawing will take place as soon as we reach 1500 and we are VERY close!  To become a fan simply click over to the Taylored Expressions Facebook page and click on "Like" at the top.  Help us spread the word by posting this info to your blog or Facebook status!

You can find all of the brand new items in the TE store right in our Fresh Out of the Oven tab - it's the fastest way to see everything from this release all in one place.

 Now, get hopping over to the rest of the Baker's Dozen!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jackie Pedro
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Motz
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• and superstar guest Baker, Cindy Lawrence!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: easter joy (taylored expressions)
paper: lakeshore canvas texture (bazzill), kraft, suede brown dark (prism), choice snow white (taylored expressions) cardstock, hazel (my mind's eye)
ink: memento rich cocoa, memento tuxedo black
accessories: whimsy tree & clouds duo dies (taylored expressions), copic markers, olive satin ribbon, ribbon tags trio nestabilities (spellbinders)

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek | Day 3

Good morning!  It's Wednesday and Day 3 of the Taylored Expressions sneaks - the Baker's Dozen is giving you a little preview of the new Pennant Stamp and coordinating Pennant Taylored Die, as well as a mini set in the TE line called A Tweet for You.

First up is A Tweet for You, which is a set of 15 fabulous images and sentiments that coordinate with the Favor Frame Die. 

I wanted to do something different with the labels, so I used them as a background underneath the main image.  I stamped the scalloped label in Deep Lagoon Fluid Chalk ink onto a sheet of Gertie by My Mind's Eye and then cut them out with the Favor Frame Die.  The flowers image from Hello Spring was stamped in Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk ink and then I used the daisy and tulip from A Tweet for You and stamped them inside the outline using my stamp positioner.  I grabbed the Martha Stewart Grass Border punch and laid the grass over the image and then ran the whole thing through the Big Shot with the Frame It Up 1 die. Since the yellow tulip didn't have a coordinating flower, I just colored that one in with a Copic.

Isn't this little Pennant stamp and die just to *die* for??  haha!  Sorry.  I paired the pennant stamp with the Spring a la Carte stamp releasing this month and I stamped the Spring stamp twice so I could get daring and paper piece the letters.  I cut them out with a hobby blade, so it was much easier for me than using scissors in all of those nooks and crannies.  I colored the bird, flower, and ladybug with copics and then cut the panel to size. The pennant is stamped in Rose Coral Fluid Chalk ink and after I cut it out with the Pennant Border die, I popped the pennant up on dimensional tape and then added some lovely Crystal Twinkles between the pennants.   When I added the Scalloped Eyelet Border, it just sort of disappeared under my huge image panel, so I cut another border out and lined it up over the image panel and now you can see all of those delicious eyelets!

Tomorrow is the big day!  All of the new stamps and accessories will be available for purchase in the TE store at 8AM Pacific. 

 The Baker's Dozen have lots more to show you today!  Grab a cuppa and sit back and relax.

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jackie Pedro
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Motz
• Melissa Sauls
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen


recipe -
thanks a bunch card
stamps: a tweet for you (taylored expressions), hello spring (taylored expressions)
paper:  jetstream canvas texture (bazzill), kraft, suede brown dark (prism), gertie (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, olive pastel fluid chalk ink (colorbox), deep lagoon fluid chalk ink (colorbox), warm red fluid chalk ink (colorbox)
accessories: favor frame die (taylored expressions), frame it up 1 die (taylored expressions), chocolate pearls (kaisercraft), turquoise twill ribbon, grass border punch (martha stewart)

spring card
stamps: spring a la carte (taylored expressions), pennant a la carte (taylored expressions)
paper: choice buttercream (taylored expressions), jetstream canvas texture (bazzill), flamingo canvas texture (bazzill), pixie-licious (cosmo cricket)
ink: memento tuxedo black, rose coral fluid chalk ink (colorbox)
accessories: pennant die (taylored expressions), scalloped eyelet border die (taylored expressions), copic markers, crystal twinkles (taylored expressions), diamond glaze (judi.kins)